WHAT I'M PLANNING TO BUY THIS YEAR

This might seem like a strange idea for a post, but I was thinking about what I'd like to read on blogs this year and the idea of long-term investment buys caught a spark somewhere in my brain.

Granted, this isn't a post about the 36 shades of pink lipstick I might potentially buy and every single purchase broken down as a big list - no, this is the realistic end-goal list of items I'd like to buy this year that will either make big changes to my work or lifestyle.

There are some things I've missed off this list as they're more 'making big savings to purchase something very adult' and am being very aware of my savings pot, but I have an idea of some solid purchases I'd like to make during the year to add to and improve what I currently own - let's call it sensible investment spending!

Wordpress

Technically I've already purchased this as I've got myself set-up and hosted on Wordpress (just need to officially move over) thanks to the fab pipdig - bit of a last minute decision to actually migrate across but something I'd been contemplating for a while, I will be sad to say goodbye to Blogger as this was my starting ground, but better layouts, SEO, and widgets galore are far more exciting - come at me customisation!

Editing tablet

I've been working on my retouching recently (hello smooth skin and colour correcting) and am absolutely loving it, but have been recommended to invest in a tablet and pen for more precision. It might be something a bit more down the line as work commands it, but would be hella useful.

Photography equipment

A bit of a general one because I am doing well with the lenses and kit I've got, but it's always exciting to invest in something new to up quality and try new imagery. There's some lenses I've been thinking about, and of course cameras, but we'll see how we go (aka let the bank decided oops)

Ethical underwear

Ever since getting Thought socks for Christmas, I've been obsessed with how top notch the quality is - honestly, softest yet thickest socks ever, my toes are so happy. I can clearly tell they'll last for years (no heels with holes) and they are ethical too, made from organic and well sourced materials that give back to causes and benefit the environment and workers too. I'd like to swap out some of my underwear for more breathable and ethical pieces, so I'm going to be scouring my usual ethical hit-ups for new releases over the months!

More sustainable clothing - mainly a summer coat/jacket and trousers!

I don't really need more clothing, but there are certainly some items that need swapping out or upgrading to better alternatives. After attending the People Tree SS18 press brunch, a few items aught my eye like a striped cotton suit (dream), a blue jumpsuit (yes), and definitely more floaty trousers and tops that I could get on board with. I like investing in quality and sustainability, so really it's just items that will add to what I already have and keep my wardrobe going - plus inspire another clear out, ooft one of my fave things to do ;)

What are you planning to buy or invest in this year? Let me know below!

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Some products in this post may have been sent for review or gifted, and will be marked with a * or c/o. All opinions are mine are not influenced by brands or companies. Please see my full disclaimer for more.

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5 SELF-HELP BOOKS TO KICK START 2018

I love to start the new year with a self-help book or 3; it just helps me set myself up properly for the year to come and find a new confidence in myself when I can't quite yet find the push in myself to get ahead and grab the life I need by the lady-balls.

I'm a little slower on the reading than I would've like so far, but I've picked up 5 cracking reads that are a must if you want to either improve your skills or rediscover yourself in a new empowered form...

Get Your Shit Together

I really enjoyed 'The Life Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k' and was keen to get started on the sequel. As someone who felt pre-Christmas that my work and life was a bit all over the place, this really helped me get on track for 2018, and there were two things I mainly took away from the book - Must Lists and practising Strategise, Focus, Commit. I've already spoken about Must Lists in my last post, but if you need help focusing on a goal and actually achieving it then SFC is for you: think of it, as Sarah says, like remembering your key, phone, and wallet - keys unlock the next step, your phone is your ability to focus and make those things happen, and your wallet represents commitment to putting your money (ahem) where your mouth is. It's simple but so effective!

You Do You

Can you believe there's a third book?! I've only just started reading it but rather than focusing on being a strong, organised, no sh*t kinda person, this one helps you build up confidence in yourself and stop listening to others tell you how they think you should be. From accepting your flaws to succeeding at success without traditional methods, it's definitely a mood booster and one for when you need some motivation to get what you want how you want.

Ikigai - The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life
I first researched Ikigai last year but then got swept up in many many other books and also life, so when I found a copy of 'The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life' I knew I had to get my head down and study the practise. Ikigai translates as 'a reason to jump out of bed each morning', to throw yourself into passions and find your purpose in life, and is described as a patient search for your own personal balance of passion, mission, vocation, and profession, which leads to you never retiring (because you're constantly fulfilled) and living longer - some villages in Japan house people who have lived past 100 years old after finding and living their ikigai, which is fantastic and I can't wait to learn more!

The Working Woman's Handbook
This, along with Little Black Book, has become one of the new 'must reads' for freelancers and business women everywhere. It features interviews with women in various careers to highlight important lessons and approaches to tasks, and also has quick exercises on things such as pitching an idea perfectly or proper social media practise - must put my phone down more often - but if you like questionnaires and identifying key areas to improve or emphasise, this is fab.

Little Black Book
Finally we have Little Black Book, which I was already planning on buying but when I picked up a copy and it opened on a page featuring advice on something I really needed, I was sold - fate in writing. From public speaking practise to building your brand, and negotiating that pay rise whilst also looking out for number one (that's you), it seems your life can be improved forever in just 115 pages - result!

Now, go get 2018 by the pages!

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Some products in this post may have been sent for review or gifted, and will be marked with a * or c/o. All opinions are mine are not influenced by brands or companies. Please see my full disclaimer for more.

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HOW I'M PLANNING MY WORK/BLOG BALANCE

I can be a bit of a procrastinator at times - I'm currently watching Brooklyn 99 whilst trying to get this typed out because Season 4 is out on Netflix and I'm hyped - and can get sidetracked from even making toast in the morning, but I've been trying to plan better and more importantly organise how I complete work and blog content and still have time to myself.

I got into a bad habit of writing posts the day before going live so that's the first thing I'm trying to fix, but other than that I've come up with 5 foolproof ways to plan a more effective work and blog routine that allows me to cook dinner and read a book in the evening, take photos on the weekends, and actual achieve what is actually possible in 24 hours.

To-Do Lists become Must Lists

I love a list, I could write lists all day every day and continually add tasks until I end up starting new lists, forget what I'm meant to be doing, and get a bit stressed up there. Writing everything down clears my head, but taking it one step further really makes lists manageable and easy to tick off.

It's all thanks to Sarah Knight's Must List which I read about in Get Your Sh*t Together, where she aims to mentally declutter and get your life sorted once and for all. Must Lists are for what you must get done asap, that day, in that urgent moment. If your list is 'buy groceries, write a blog post, book table for birthday, finish presentation, shave legs' well then you need to strategise what is actually urgent and needs completing immediately, and then share the other tasks over the next few days. Sure things crop up, but if your shopping is done and you've finished your presentation, you can finish your post in bed and skip the leg shave to compensate for a last-minute family gathering. With the main tasks covered and completed when they absolutely need to be, you don't feel bogged down with a long list and actually achieve that which is possible in the day and also urgent. Win-win!

My current Must List: finish blog post • finish tax return • reply emails • have a bath/read book

Monthly Blog Meetings

Basically I coerced my pal Jaye into a monthly Skype meeting where we talk content ideas, photo tips, how to get better opportunities, or even word emails and approach brands etc - basically anything to do with blogging and creative support. It's fab, because the outside input from someone who gets the industry is actually constructive, especially if they get what you do. Some of the questions we use to get each other thinking are simple, but they're effective and help us reignite the flame and keep ourselves on track analytics and content wise. Keep track of your traffic and engagement, and get conquering together!

Questions to ask: What am I enjoying right now? How can I spin an angle on what's already been done? Is what's seasonally appropriate relevant to my blog? What does this button on Analytics do?

Have set photo/work/writing days

My work days can vary from Tuesday to Friday which may seem a bit uncertain when planning but going off that actually makes setting tasks easy - if I can get photos taken on a Sunday (my usual day off) and work is Tuesday and Friday that week, I know I have Monday to edit my photos and write the outline to one post, Tuesday evening to start an edit, Wednesday to wrap up and finish one post, Thursday to do the rest, and then Friday at work with Saturday afternoon editing away, I can slot in tasks easily and plan accordingly, especially since I switched my schedule to posting every third day which means I have more room to breathe and get everything done on my Must List!

Going paper free where I can

Journals and planners are my shiz, I love a new diary at the start of a year but I never seemed to actually get full use from it / forgot to write things in, so I'm sticking to iCal for everything from shoot days, to Instagrams and spon work that needs to go live, and also my scheduled blog meetings. It keeps everything in one place work wise, and my messy lists on paper I already own (basically, not buying more stationery I don't need) It's clean, easy, and and allows the scribbles to stay off my nice Rifle Paper Co journal.

Finishing off by 6pm

It's currently 5:46pm as I write this so I'm cutting it fine (and might do some emails later I've been putting off which is a one time thing, promise) but switching your desktop off by a certain time each evening keeps structure and allows you not only to plan how you use your daylight hours, but also keeps evenings free for finishing that book, cooking a yummy dinner, having a bath, maybe even an early night (omg dream). It's good to keep balance, to not get stuck working past your mental capacity for the day - you know when you keep trying to force yourself to write or edit and it's just not coming? Just close the page and start again tomorrow. Go bake some cookies, you deserve it.

And if you don't do something on your Must List? It's not the end of the world, just get it finished first the next day and compensate on something else (you've got until March at least on the shaved legs front, it's still rather chill and it's an extra layer #sorrynotsorry #singlelife)

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Some products in this post may have been sent for review or gifted, and will be marked with a * or c/o. All opinions are mine are not influenced by brands or companies. Please see my full disclaimer for more.

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HELLO 2018! JANUARY GOALS + 2018 GOALS

Here we go again, another year has whizzed by and we're right back at the start. I can't help but be excited that January 1st is a Monday - if I were starting school today, I'd probably be shaking my brand new pens and pencil-case in rapturous joy, because it's all so satisfying!

I had planned to end December with a few more posts, but honestly, after my last day working I was officially Pooped™ and needed the week before Christmas to decompress my brain from all the editing and photos and work I've done this year - I ignored emails, put away my laptop, and just tried to get some quiet time in before The Big Day. It was glorious.

I could've read more, maybe done more baking, but it was just really selfishly nice to sit like a potato whilst eating potatoes, and sometimes, that's what Christmas is all about.

Do not fear though, as I have lots planned for the blog this year; from working with brands I love to trying to share more content I think is relevant and also a new spin on the usual stuff.

I mean, I'll try, let's just see how it goes ;)

But for now, let's kick off Monday and 2018 with a few goals - slightly unoriginal I know but we all love those classic affirmations for the next 365 days don't we?

January Goals

• Start up some monthly blog meetings - I've been reading 'Get Your S**t Together' over Christmas and something I think I do need is a kick up the butt and outsider perspective. Maybe both at the same time would be helpful. I'm planning on roping in some pals and getting a regular date each month so we can chat about content and Instagram, and keep each other supported and inspired aka not in our heads so much.

• Have a big post-Christmas / pre-Spring clear out - I do love a good decluttering session, and I've already got most of Christmas packed away *sobs* so now it's time to sort out the old socks, makeup, tops and more before the new stuff comes in, and now that I've worked out what I actually wear in cold weather, there's about to be a lot of space in my wardrobe...

• Start working on my photography website - I know it's really important to have a proper website for work and I've just left my old college one sit there without much updating *oops* so I would like to get a swish looking up-to-date site for ~prospective clients~ to look at rather than just my blog - time to get organised!

• Get back into yoga - as with most people, I've let exercise slide over the last few months, and yoga is delightful relaxing/great at clicking those bones into place so I might try one of Yoga by Adrienne's playlists to get me back into bending.

• Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise - Since purchasing Pai's Comfrey and Calendula Moisturiser I've had much better skin and all my dry/irritated bits are happy as larry, so I'm going to try and moisturiser all over once a day and in the evening also on my joints and legs etc to keep myself smooth as a baba all month long.

• Maybe get a haircut? - my bangs need a trim and I'm debating a proper chop or some blonde. It's that New Year itch that I might just scratch.

2018 Goals

• Photograph a magazine cover - it's always been a huge dream of mine to photograph a cover, so I'm crossing all fingers and toes the opportunity comes up.

• Reach 10K on Instagram - I try not to get tied up in numbers but it would be awesome to hit 10K on Insta (even if just for the swipe feature)

• Work with brands I love on sponsored and photography content - I've got a whole list of brands and people I want to work with this year, and it would be great to have the means to produce something creative I wouldn't usually have the means to.

• Make some big savings - again, big list of things I want to do and a lot of savings I need to make to get there so let's see that dolla following!

• Take more breaks - Christmas showed me that switching off and going places that are relaxing makes a huge difference to mental health and general wellbeing, so I'm going to aim to get in more R&R when I can.

• Improve my retouching - retouching is a big part of my job and although the level I use right now benefits 90% of my work, I'd love to expand skills I missed out on in uni and be able to take my editing up a level for when that important work starts to roll in.

• Ask for help more / get into team-player mode - whether it expenses help or just need spare hands or head on certain things, it's totally okay to ask for advice and not feel less for doing so.

• Keep up the clear skin! - my skin has been looking amazing lately, even with some blackheads still present, but it's clear and soft and I'm loving it! Here's to a year where my acne goes away for good!

So I hope you've all had a fantastic Christmas and a lovely start to the New Year, and whatever you experienced in 2017, I hope it sets you up for a new start and a chance to begin better than before - let's do this 2018!

x


Some products in this post may have been sent for review or gifted, and will be marked with a * or c/o. All opinions are mine are not influenced by brands or companies. Please see my full disclaimer for more.

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INDEPENDENT SHOPS AND VEGAN CAFES TO VISIT IN EDINBURGH

36 hours in a beautiful city is quite the whirlwind, but luckily it gives you a chance to find the best places for endless hot chocolates after walking up and down the cobbled hills of Edinburgh for hours - a true indulgence that I'm all for come winter - and discover some fabulous shops to peruse whilst they digest.

If you're planning a trip to Edinburgh, then here's 5 places (mainly cafes) you have to make time for on your next visit...

Artisan Roast
I popped in here quickly for a cuppa to warm my chilly bones but the coffee here is truly delicious - well, at least the smell of it is! All brewed locally and including special in-house blends, Artisan Roast has sourced sustainable ingredients and provides fairtrade opportunities for growers which makes every coffee taste a bit better IMO. You can also buy online here.

Curiouser and Curiouser
If you're a fab of cute stationery (always), prints (yes), and unique homewares (sign me up), then you need to head to Curiouser and Curiouser - there are two stores, one located on Broughton Street and another in Bruntsfield Place, stocking gorgeous prints from Rifle Paper Co. and Papier Press, to in-house designed lampshades and British-made jewellery, plus some yummy Coco Chocolatier bars which are DELISH.

Fortitude Coffee
If you're looking for a quiet spot a few minutes walk from the main bustle of shops, then Fortitude Coffee is a fabulous place to wind down - small yet warm and cosy, it's like a quite bubble within a busy city where you can enjoy a frothy oat hot chocolate or locally made soup with a book, and let time pass by one mug after another. You can also buy their coffee here.

Hendersons
The OG vegetarian and vegan restaurant of Edinburgh, Hendersons has four locations across the city including a deli and dedicated restaurant with some truly yummy delights. From fancy smashed avocado, to vegan pancakes doused in syrup, you can pick up some fabulous healthy snacks in the deli or dine on 3-courses in the restaurant on Thistle Street, and I will say the avocado bagel is truly delish!

Burr and Co.
Tucked inside the Principle Hotel, Burr and Co. is a luxurious cafe to spend hours relaxing in, sinking into comfy chairs and refilling cups of coffee and hot chocolate whilst you have a moment spare after all the shopping. Burr and Co. stocks the fabulous Coco Chocolatier hot chocolate (I recommend the cinnamon and chilli one), has lots of lovely sweet treats and sandwiches, plus some tasty seasonal options like tumeric latte and winter salad - basically, go to Edinburgh for all the hot chocolate and coffee, you won't regret it.

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Some products in this post may have been sent for review or gifted, and will be marked with a * or c/o. All opinions are mine are not influenced by brands or companies. Please see my full disclaimer for more.

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A FEW LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEAS

There are gift guides a plenty going round at the moment, and whilst you probably don't need another list of things you 'have' to buy, I thought I'd put together a few things that I, a creature of habit and comfort, would like to receive this Christmas; whether you're a fan of keep warm, getting your s**t together, having nice skin, or purchasing something via a helpful cause, here's a few last minute gifts and ideas to wrap up asap!

For The One Who Likes Self-Help Reads

I love a good self-help book, especially during that end of year/start of Jan slump where you're like 'what am I doing with my life?!' One I picked up for myself recently is about Ikigai, a Japanese concept of finding purpose in our lives. I had a tab open about the practise for months (cough, since last Christmas) but only recently found a book I can absorb without tech getting in the way, and it makes you approach life in a more fulfilling way than hygge, where you can combine passion, vocation, profession, and mission to find your true 'reason for being'.

It can sound a little fluffy, but if you're a more practical person or want to compliment your hygge time with a better work life, this may be the treat!

Other books: You Are A Badass • The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F**k • Big Magic • Playing Big

For The One Who Likes Pampering

Of course my faves Pai have a Christmas offering that is well worth popping in everyone's stocking - their Landmark Collection contains 4 of their hero products (including their face cloths which I love) and is a great starter pack for any skincare newbie or someone looking to switch to cruelty-free/vegan skincare that really cares and calms - plus it saves £20 off the usual price!

They also have a Cleanse and Tone Starter Kit is you want to really treat a pal, and also a special mini-Rosehip Oil which has been redesigned specially for Christmas!

Other lush beauty to buy: Oskia CityLife Detox Mask • Aromatherapy Associates Bath Gift Set • Cowshed Bath Oils • Mauli Oils Trio

Last Order Dates - Pai: 21st December (UK) • Naturisimo: Unlisted but suggested 21st • Cult Beauty: 20th (Express available only)

For The One Who Likes Pretty Organisation and Stationery

I'm a sucker for a notepad, and whilst next year I'm trying to go journal-free to save paper, I still get heart-eyes over diaries and planners galore. If you want a simple statement to keep track of dates that also looks pretty on your desk (not for writing on of course!) then this Rifle Paper Co. option from Anthropologie (sold out online but still in stores! Might be available here) is gorgeous, plus the constellation version will make you want to buy both as bookends for your desk, or maybe one for the kitchen ;)

If you prefer to go all out on the organising, then your best options are Rifle Paper Co. Planners and Small Diaries via PaperMash for pretty scheduling, Ohh Deer's fab undated planners which can be used for planning your days, tasks, and timings in an organised-unorganised fashion with check boxes, or the beasty and beautiful CEO Of My Life Planner by Ella Iconic which is such a stationery fan's dream that I may have talked myself back into a planner for the new year; again these can be 2018 or undated, and even come with expenses and budgeting sections which are a must for the self-employed!

Last Order Dates - Papermash: 19th December • Ella Iconic: 20th December (Express) • Ohh Deer: 18th for Standard, 19th for Premium, 21st for Next Day

For The One Who Likes Summin' Fancy in Their Stocking

I'm not usually one for watches or buying someone something big without their input because everyone has personal taste, but I recently received a Daniel Wellington Watch* and I'm really impressed with the style and quality. There are the usual leather options if you swing that way, but I opted for the Cornwall style which has a NATO fabric strap and adds a nice casual edge to a big watch face.

There are also plenty of vegan friendly options from Votch, Olivia Burton, and Aubry which are well worth checking out too as their brands are fully aimed at producing ethical alternatives!

For one last stocking filler that goes a bit further, there are some fabulous treats on the Oxfam Shop including Divine Chocolate, Faith in Nature soaps (which are my fave), and also donating money to help farms, send soap, and provide water to those in need. Some Divine chocolate and a donation to hungry families will do so much for a small price at Christmas - tis the season of joy and giving after all!

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Some products in this post may have been sent for review or gifted, and will be marked with a * or c/o. All opinions are mine are not influenced by brands or companies. Please see my full disclaimer for more.

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MY MOST WORN WINTER ACCESSORIES

Winter is definitely the cosiest time of the year, mainly because we're finding anything to keep toes warm and prevent our lower back from exposure to the wind, but it's cosy nonetheless with hot chocolates, coats, and scarves a plenty.

After years of bad shapes, practicality over style, wrong lengths, and materials that got soaked through as soon as they touched the snow, I'd like to think I have my winter accessories down now; they might not all match, but they do keep me super warm and 'stylish' during a festive season which is a plus ;)

I'm really glad I followed my heart with this coat last year, as I've been a huge loyal fan of blue for years and wouldn't wear anything else, but as soon as I spied it in the shops I knew it would be like a huge bear hug. I like that it's neutral enough that it can look more beige/pink/grey depending on what you wear it with, and even though sizing up made it a little baggier that I would've liked, it does mean more thick knitted jumpers which I'm all for.

Another M&S find from this year (thank lordy) is this multi-coloured blanket scarf which has a lush mix of pinks, yellows, whites, creams, and purples so that it can bring together pieces in your wardrobe that might not 'flow' naturally into one another, and also adds a pop of colour to a palette which is sometimes uniform. It's big, it's fluffy, it keeps my neck super warm (and wipes makeup off my chin but what scarf doesn't) and it was only £25 which is pretty darn good for a big ol'blanket to keep your chest and neck warm.

Hats are something I like to switch between depending on mood - a Christmas pudding option for fun novelty days, a double pom-pom one I got back in 2010 that I always think makes me look like a mouse, and this little number I *borrowed* off my mum (because it looks more sensible than being a mouse and keeps my ears warmer than a pudding) - a fab TK Maxx find.

When my gloves aren't in my pocket like in these pictures, they're usually blazingly on display as due to being bright blue with a floofy lining that keeps your fingers warm beyond belief. I picked them up a few years ago at Oliver Bonas and yes, they're out of stock because I don't buy things new anymore and tbh they should be re-stocked as they're so insulating and just a fab colour to make any coat colour pop (would recommend a pink pair if they ever make them again, just saying).

Now these aren't something that keep me warm (although cheese plants do signify warmer climates) but I've recently dabbled back into the world of piercings with these beaut Farfara earrings from Maravilo*.

Both wearing gold and earrings are things I haven't done in yonks, but I love how much of a statement these make without being too much (plus the gold let's me get away with a summer leaf in winter because festive golds!) and what else is great is that Maravilo support independent designers to keep creating and highlights their unique pieces to wider audiences - truly a fab purchase for all parties!

Now with a bit of extra chill coming in the air as I type this, I might have to grab my trusty blanket scarf (and extra blanket) and go make myself a hot chocolate - because sometimes, that's a much tastier option than gloves ;)

x

Some products in this post may have been sent for review or gifted, and will be marked with a * or c/o. All opinions are mine are not influenced by brands or companies. Please see my full disclaimer for more.

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