Amsterdam!

Well my weekend away was just BEAUTIFUL. What a city. As soon as I came out of the central station, I fell in love with Amsterdam... The architecture was mind blowing, the culture & vibe was so chilled and the quirky coffee shops and cafés was an interesting and unique experience. 

Unfortunately, all didn't go to plan... we got scammed on an apartment and ended up 6 of us sharing one room with 3 bunkbeds (SO glamorous!) and we wasn't as productive as we thought we would be... let's just say our visits to Anne Frank Museum and Van Gogh Gallery never happened! Most productive thing we done was visit the AMSTERDAM sign. We got lost in the chilled vibe and ended up moving from food place to food place... Typically waffle places!

Luckily, we was blessed with the winter sun & it wasn't too cold! Which is a perfect excuse to take some snaps! 

I know, I know... I said I would have pictures of my daily outfits... I accidentally deleted a large chunk of my photos and was only left with one day worth of outfit shots, which was my slouchiest day! Sorry!!! Will make it up to you all on my next city weekend trip!

Outfit Details

Coat - prettylittlething.com

Oversized Scarf - Asos

Mom Jeans - Topshop

Trainers - Adidas Superstars

Sunglasses - Asos

Clutch - Missguided 

Now it is time to detox after gaining tons of weight from 100's of waffles... but I will definitely be returning VERY soon!

What to Pack for a Weekend City Break?

Packing for almost anything is usually hard work for me, whether its for a weekend at my boyfriend's or a few weeks away at the other side of the world, not only do I leave things last minute, but I either pack too much or too little (usually too much)! 

Recently, I've been writing out memo's on my phone or making spider diagrams to assist with my packing, I've found it a lot easier and I won't forget anything! I also find that half of my closet doesn't end up in my suitcase... resulting in the convenience of travelling lightly AND getting ready quicker as outfits are planned and more limited.

So, I tend to split things up into categories:

- I'll have clothing, which is then broken down into the types of clothing e.g. underwear, nightwear, tops, etc. 

- Toiletries, including make-up.

- The important bits - ID, money, passport, card... charger, camera, you know the drill!

• Comfort is everything! You will be walking around all day, so wear a good pair of trainers and limit yourself to 3 pairs for the trip! 2 of which being the comfy shoes and the third for a night out - but make sure it matches the outfit you plan to wear.
• PLAN! PLAN! PLAN! - it's essential you plan what you are going to wear for each day, it's only a few days so this is easier to do than when you're packing for a longer trip! Mix it up and embrace your layers rather than packing bulkier clothes! For example, you could bring two pairs of jeans that will last you for four days, mix up what you wear it with, tops tend to be lighter than denim, so bring more options of tops! 
• You DON'T need to bring a full bottle of soap or shampoo, compact everything to sample size! You can buy most things in travel size and this will make packing for your return easier too as you can just leave it there! If you are on a budget and would rather save, buy empty containers and put some of the products into them.
• Make sure to make use of your hand luggage - in my hand luggage I tend to put all my essentials in e.g. my passport, camera, charger, money, travel documents - you will need access to these more often, so it's wiser to place it in your hand luggage. Also, put smaller items of clothing (underwear, layers, etc.) in your hand luggage if your low on space (which you shouldn't be)!

TOP TIP!!! Roll clothing rather than folding... it prevents creases and allows so much more space!

Keep checking back for my outfit of the day posts whilst I'm in Amsterdam this weekend!

Valentines Feel

I know it's been a while, sorry!!! Been crazy busy with uni prep and work recently... but I'm back!

Sticking to the valentines day theme, even if you have a valentines or not (no harm in buying for yourself, to look great for yourself).... I have decided to post a selection of some of my favourite lingerie sets that I have been lusting over! This can be a great guide for gift buying for males out there to (girls send over the link)!

|Topshop Balconette Bralet and Satin High-Waisted Knickers|

£36

|Asos Millie Caged Lace & Velvet Set Navy|

£40

|Asos Vine Applique Set|

£24

|Victoria's Secret Chantilly Lace Garter Belt|

$25

|Victoria's Secret Limited Edition Cutout Garter Slip|

$88

|Victoria's Secret Lace-up Teddy|

$68

Style Pick: Reggie Yates & Tia Ward

I was going to base this style pick on just Reggie Yates, seeing as I haven't done a menswear post in soooo long, but I couldn't possibly write this without including his stunning model girlfriend - one of my style goddess' Tia Ward. So why not? This style pick is on one of the best dressed couples out there!

In the least stalker-ish way, I've seen these two quite often around where I work in Oxford Street and they're always looking freshhhh. But what really stands out to me is their instagram feeds (@Regyates & @misstpw) and Tia's blog www.tiaward.com. As a pair, I love the vibrancy and contrast of colours through their style of shooting and the clothing that they're wearing, which they both bring to their feeds... it makes a change to all these monotoned looking instagrams and also reflects their personality more to their followers, which is so important in making style personal to an individual. 

I have HUGE shoe envy on both of them and Reggie's instagram literally makes me want to cry with his regular footwear posts alongside his hashtag #myshoeview - And it's not like any 'sneakerheads' instagram... he has a large variety of types of footwear, from basic slip-on vans to some next bright neon pink laced Y-3's. The style of the shots are incredible too, usually birds eye view... so it is literally HIS SHOE VIEW. 

       

As for Tia... well, I just want to own her whole entire wardrobe (oh... and her makeup and selfie skills). She has true talent in the way she ensembles an outfit and AMEN to the fact that she blogs it for us all to see. I would describe her style as dynamic yet daring. Always suits the occasion and brings the perfect mix of current urban trends with simplicity and elegance. If I could post all of the looks I love of hers, you might as well just check out her blog. 

Here are a few of my favourites: (Taken from her instagram & blog)

Possibly the best sports luxe look ever?!

And also, can we just take note of how flawless ever single one of these shots are... 

Style Pick: Kylie Jenner

You will either love or hate this style pick, but Kylie Jenner is my guilty style pleasure. Without a doubt, anyone from this family can not be said to have a bad dress sense! And just turned 17!!! Kylie is killin' it... of course with the help of stylist Monica Rose, one of my inspirations! 

The world is her catwalk, constantly in media's attention either being criticised or adored - but she will always pull off her individual edgy look, suiting every occasion: from food shopping to a red carpet event. I love the way she mixes chic and classy with an urban touch and I'm always taking style steals as it's a reflection to my personal style.

Here are some of my favourite Kylie looks: (Warning... Jail Bait!)

We all love a camel coat ATM to add a touch of class to any outfit, even if we are only going food shopping... unfortunately, Kylie's Max Mara one is a little out of my budget... so I guess I will just have to stick with Zara TRF prices for now. 

I love the dark looks that Kylie has in these insta-shots and the way that she has paired two of the outfits with heels to enhance her femininity and to add that slight bit of chic look to the ensemble. These outfits can be acceptable for so many events without looking too over the top, whilst still standing out. 

Proving heels can be worn WHENEVER and WHEREVER - Don't be afraid to wear those heels in the day time girls!

*Sigh*... A just turned 17 year old is rocking almost any trend better than  most grown women... Come on Kylie, just share your wardrobe with us.

Winter Top Picks: Footwear

Disregarding the fact I work for a trainer store, I always seem to struggle with my choice of footwear for the winter - if they're warm enough? if they're protected from the rain? It's probably one of the most difficult areas of an outfit to focus on.

Here's some of my choices from trainers to boots for a night out that will be versatile and stylish for this winter!

|Dr. Martens Kensington Flora Boots|

£110

|Over the Knee Cleated Sole Heel Boots|

£50

|Nike Flyknit Chukkas|

£150

|Can't beat a pair of classic Timberlands for the winter...|

£160

|Adida Superstar Up Snake - Exclusive to Footlocker|

£69.99 £54.99

Confidence is Key

Think of how often someone's word of advice is "Be confident"?! And how it is probably the most essential piece of advice you will receive... But if you have never had confidence, you won't realise how essential it is. 

What is confidence anyway? It's knowing what you are good at. It's about believing in yourself. Knowing what you are capable of. Knowing the value that you provide. 

Don't mix confidence with arrogance, arrogance is believing that you are something you are not or that you are better than others & this can easily be mixed up with being confident. 

When you're confident your mindset is in a much stronger place, your outlook on what you're trying to achieve will be a lot easier than you think! Confidence will allow your full potential to be portrayed, because if you're afraid, shy or nervous, there is so much you hold in all because you aren't confident enough to express it and this makes you miss out on great opportunities and experiences - such as jobs, friendship, events, fun, etc. 

So why do a lot of us lack confidence? We all have insecurities or worry what other people think, but we all deal with them in different ways - it's easier to say than do, but literally, you have to think "screw what they think"... Confidence isn't about "Yes, they will like me", it's having the view of "I'll be fine if they don't". IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD. 

There's 3 main key areas in confidence - 1) Your perspective, 2) The actions you make & 3) Maintaining that confidence. 

Perspective - 

• For me, I think that THE WORST thing you could do is compare yourself to others, it is sooooo unhealthy on your confidence, it not only puts yours down by thinking "oh she is better at this", but it also takes away your focus on improving your own life for the better, not making it like someone else's life. If you want to build up your confidence, you need to be realistic and know there is always going to be someone who may be 'smarter', 'richer', 'better looking' - just like there will be someone 'less intelligent', 'less wealthy'... but this is so so so irrelevant, all that is relevant is advancing your own goals.
• Adopt a positive mindset... Don't let what others make you feel inferior or let what they say about you put you down, they will only accomplish this if you let them. Avoid self-pity and looking for others sympathy, if you continue to do so, you will only begin to believe what you think. Don't be afraid to project your strength and qualities to other and focus on positive comments.
• Take pride of your qualities and talents and reflect on them, even if you think there isn't any, dig deep... it can be things like your sense of humour, your interests, sense of compassion - there's so much out there!
• Remember that no one is perfect, so bounce back from your mistakes - No. Don't look past them. Recognise what you have done, work on it/apologise and make your plan to move on. Even the most confident people will make mistakes and have insecurities, but this feeling comes and goes, its not constant, but it is reality, we all face this.

Actions you make - 

• Get rid of much negativity as you possibly can, yeah sure, we can't get rid of every bit of negativity that we have in our lives, but you can definitely avoid a lot of it and cut it down. Note down things that are bringing you down - can be anything - from friends that constantly make nasty comments on you to what you are currently doing. You could be losing confidence because of such a large part of your life, such as a career path you are heading towards... you obviously can't directly cut this out, but start making a new plan, based on something you enjoy. You could have toxic friends, who put you down, maybe its time to drop them. There are going to be things you really can't change, if so, learn to cope with them - such as the weather, if you hate the winter... wrap up warmer? There's always a way.
• Stick to your principles and morals - if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. Don't do things for the sake of impressing others, or to make other people feel bad if they are less fortunate than you because it might make you feel better about yourself. Be true to yourself rather than doing what other people expect.
• Accept compliments that you get. Let the person who compliments you know you appreciate it and respond positively. Don't be like "yeahhhh right" and look past it. Take it to heart.
• Smile to yourself in the mirror, it seems really stupid, but personally I have done it and I feel it really works. There's theories alongside this view, that your brain can register emotions by the expression on your face. Even smile at strangers, obviously not in a creepy way and only at appropriate times. Also, if you aren't feeling too confident, fake it, it might just make you believe it - your body language helps your confidence develop a long way.
• Self appearance!!! Just the essentials, take care of yourself... it doesn't mean you have to be looking a 10/10 all of the time, but take time time in your appearance - it makes you feel like you're worth caring about.
• Make a positive difference on someones life, help them out. Knowing you have done something good will boost your self confidence as you feel you have something to offer.
• Eye contact. Maintaining eye contact with people whilst talking to them makes you seem valuable to talk to. It also makes you more confident in what you are saying to yourself and to who you are talking to.

Keeping up the confidence - it's so easy to let this slip, insecurities are always coming and going & it's easy to make yourself think you are worthless or to look at other succeeding.

• Put yourself in more unpredictable moments - you may start to lack confidence because you don't know how you will deal with  an unexpected situation. Go on more trips and explore out of your comfort zone - whether it's travelling to a new country or sky diving out of a plane.
• Once you've found something that you are good at, keep it up! Try and stand out at something and make it a regular thing!
• Keep a journal, it will help address things you are not keeping up or doing so great at that can be helped & it will also remind you of what you are doing great! It's good to reflect on yourself.
• Spend time with the people that make you feel great. Keep yourself surrounded by the people that boost you up rather than put you down. The people that support you, comfort you, encourage you - these positive people will make you feel confident and feel like you have so much to offer! If possible, make goals to see these people more and to make time for them - whether its a partner, family members, friends...
• Avoid being a perfectionist and thinking you can do better (when what you have done is already amazing!) Perfectionism paralyses you and stops you from achieving your goals because you always want more or you start to become unrealistic about your goals. Find a way to be happy with what you have done.
• Don't dwell on yourself about the past or future, live in the present! Don't worry how you might have let some down a week ago, or what you are going to be doing for a night out in about a months time! Life is too short, focus on what is important right now.
• Lastly, be THANKFUL for what you have. A lot of insecurities and lack of confidence comes from thinking you don't have enough of something, making you feel incomplete. By acknowledging what you do have, you can defeat the feeling of being unsatisfied. Be grateful and appreciate things.

WARNING: Stay Humble.