Today I handed my notice in at the job I've worked at for over 5 years and in just over a month I'll be heading off on a trip of a lifetime to travel America.


It's safe to say that 2014 and the beginning of 2015 have seen me face more challenges than I've ever had to before.
I was feeling defeated, insecure and completely worthless. For a long time it felt like I'd feel that way forever, that there was no coming out of the dark little pit I'd fallen head first into.

But . Breaking up with my long term boyfriend after 7 years and moving back in with my parents hit me with the sudden realisation that the rest of my future was purely in my hands. What did I want to do? Who did I want to be? I got so comfortable just 'being' that I'd forgotten I could do whatever I god damn wanted to. This whole situation gave me the kick up the ass that I so badly needed.

And well, what I want to do is blog. I want to share all the things I care about, with you. I want to make videos. I want to wake up every morning feeling passionate about what I get to do for a living.

So that's what I'm going to do.

I'm saying yes to myself. I'm leaving my 9-5 office job for the big, scary world of blogging.

It feels like the both the hardest and easiest decision I'll ever make. But boy do I feel ready.

'How the hell are you managing that girl!?' I imagine, is what is going through your head. Well, when I moved back in with my parents, it meant I no longer had a whole house to pay for, bills to cover and a weekly shop for two to buy. It meant that in the lead up to me handing my notice in at work, I could save my little tushy off, to ensure that I had a comfort blanket when the time came to go it alone.

I'm very fortunate that I have the most incredibly, wonderful, supportive family that don't mind me taking the rest of the year to 'just see'. That they're just as excited as I am fills me with hope, because they believe in me and that means more than anything.

It's the first time in forever that I've felt so truly passionate about something. My blog has opened up doors I couldn't ever have imagined existed. From working with some of my favourite fashion brands in the world to making some of the best friends I'll ever have. I feel like I'm actually good at something, like I sort of matter, a bit. And honestly, I don't feel you can put a price on that.

I wanted to share this with you for two reasons, one because I want to share all the happy things with you but mainly, two:

You can do whatever you want to do, too. 

This time last year I would've laughed in your face if you'd asked me if this would be possible for me. But I've worked hard, I've been brave and I've taken a chance. I know not everyone's circumstances are the same and everyone has their reasons for saying 'I can't do it' - but see the reality in that statement. What you're saying is you can't. Because it's you holding you back. Do what you have to, to make the life you want, because it's worth it and you are good enough.

I've spent so long living for the sake of making others happy. Working to pay the bills rather than embracing the journey I'm on. And now it's time for a little self-love, to experience some more of the world and see what happens.

Of course I still want to make people happy. But god knows I'll do a better job of it if I've got a smile on my face too.

For me, today is most certainly the right day to finally start living the life I've always wanted.

Next stop? America.

V&A Cordelia Crop Top. V&A Delft Scarf Kimono. Daisy Kick Flare. The Heidi Heels. Sasha Satchel. Round Sunglasses. All Oasis.

Today I’m sharing some pretty exciting news with you. Oasis have teamed up with London’s Victoria and Albert museum. Taking original botanical prints from the museum’s archives, the fabulous fabrics have been brought together in a capsule collection that lands in Oasis stores today.

With kimonos, co-ords, dresses and crop-tops it’s the perfect way to kick-off your summer wardrobe in a feminine style.





My two favourite pieces from the collection, and what I'm wearing above, are the Cordelia Crop Top, which features two 18th century prints by Anna Maria Garthwaite joined together to create the perfect crop - and the stunning Delft Scarf Kimono, also inspired by Anna Maria Garthwaite from the Spitalfields pattern drawer which hangs like an absolute dream.

I adore the idea of combining contemporary designs with historic prints - genius. Oasis you have completely outdone yourselves.

You could be in with a chance of winning the entire collection, too. Find all the details here!

You can shop my look here:

Jacket: Scarlett Fashion. Dress: Nana Judy. Jumper: River Island. Watch: Daniel Wellington. Boots: Daniel Footwear. Necklace: Vintage. Rings: Jana Reinhardt (here and here)

Super fancy dresses aren’t really my thing, but we all need them sometimes right? For those special occasions where leggings just won’t do. And I figured, why let a perfectly lovely, fancy dress go to waste when I can work it in to my existing wardrobe and make it work all year round?

This sleeveless, textured dress from Nana Judy is perfection personified – it makes for the ideal layering piece, with a large mesh hem separating the cut-out fabric overlay. The satin lining means the sheer panels aren't showing off your bits and bobs too - winner. I've thrown on a polo neck over the dress and my favourite leather jacket to complete the outfit.

What do you think? Is layering something you've tried with some of your fancier wardrobe items?

You can shop my look here:

Dress: Missguided. Sandals: EMU Australia (similar here). Rings:

I took this pretty little number to Bali with me and didn't end up wearing it, because: HOLY MOTHER OF GOD IT WAS WAY TOO HOT FOR ACTUAL CLOTHES.

But, this dress.

It's glamorous and sexy and bohemian and all the good things a great summer dress should be. It's quite heavy and a lot of fabric, so it's not ideal if you're visiting a humid country, but it is the perfect dress for a warm summer evening in the UK or a cooler day in the likes of Spain. If sunny skies were promised, this is the sort of thing I'd wear to a Festival, too.
With a clinched in waist it boasts a really flattering shape and the quarter length sleeves means it doesn't feel as dressy as it would with straps.

Oh, Missguided, you have got it so right this season.

Shop my look here: 

This time of year has rolled around so quickly, A-Level exams are underway and it’ll soon be decision time…

Are you going to go to University?

Now, I didn’t go – it’s not for everyone and that’s absolutely okay. But I think it’s important that at a young and vulnerable age, you have as much information as you can to help make the right decision for you. As if I knew then what I know now, I might’ve taken the leap and gone to Uni.

My brother started last year, so we had a little chat about what he’s learned from his first year and what he wishes he’d known before starting and I thought it’d be quite nice to share a few tips with you to help along the way.

Accommodation: What's Mine is Yours – Be proactive. Pick your accommodation as soon as you can – there are so many choices it can be a little overwhelming and they’ll get snapped up super quickly. Make some time to go through all the accommodation websites, print out all possibilities and have a tick-list of requirements for what will make you feel most comfortable. Then you can simply cross off the ones that don’t match your needs.
Be prepared to not be precious about what you bring with you, too...sharing is caring at University. You'll have a communal kitchen with quite a few people using it, so the pots and pans aren't just yours now. If the idea of someone eating off your plate freaks you out, keep it in your room. It's up to you how much you share.

Making Friends – For me, this would’ve been the scariest thing out of everything. There’s a good chance you’ll be going to a Uni without your school friends and the prospect of making new ones can be pretty daunting, especially if you're not a 'people person'. Finding your roommates on Facebook before you start is a great idea (it’s the done thing now, you don’t need to feel like a total stalker). You can set up your own little private group on there, get to know each other and find out when they’ll be arriving / potentially meet up beforehand if you feel like it. You can't beat the reassurance of feeling like you know some people before you've even arrived.

Know your University – Universities are huge, it’s safe to say it’ll take you a while to feel settled and comfortable with where you need to be and when. If you make sure you arrive an hour or so before lectures, you can familiarise yourself with the campus and find where you need to be without it being stressful. Make use of the open days before University starts, too – they’re a great way to soak up some knowledge about where you’ll be spending the next few years!

Budget & Student Loan - Having worked since I was 16 I had to learn the importance of budgeting my money pretty early and picked up a few helpful tips on how to do so along the way. I don’t think it’s fair to say ‘just be good and sensible with your cash’. It’s a skill and not one that’s easy for everyone to adjust to. I'm thinking of putting together a post dedicated to being more money savvy, so let me know if that's something you'd like to see? First things first, managing your money at Uni shouldn't be something you put on the back-burner, you'll need to make sure that your Student Bank account is organised and ready for your student loan, there are heaps of choices but TSB have a great student account you can check out here.

DO IT FOR YOU – I made decisions of my future education based on my relationship, which sometimes I really regret. I wanted to be with my boyfriend, which at the time felt like the right thing to do. Looking back, I could’ve studied somewhere close to home or made it work at a distance if it was meant to be. Make sure you don't hold yourself back for anyone or anything. But more importantly, it's never too late to go, if that's what you want.

Ultimately, believe in yourself. Stay true to who you are and don’t be scared to take a risk. Know that you can do the research and that doesn’t mean you’ve committed to doing anything for real. This is your life, and you’re in control. Yeah, that’s scary as hell but also? It’s super liberating. Take the time now to invest in your future and believe that you're capable, whatever the decision. The age you're initially asked to make that choice is very young, so if you decide that actually you want to wait a few years before heading to Uni, then that's fine. And if you can't stand the idea and want to throw yourself in to the working world? Go for it.

The futures bright and...