It’s the middle of the hottest August bank holiday on record as I sit down to write this post, and the thought of Autumn couldn’t feel further away. Sadly though, this blast of sunshine is probably the last hurrah of Summer and it’s time for the retailers to start showing off their Autumn/Winter collections- and current sweaty status aside, I’m loving it.
PrettyLittleThing recently let me pick out some items from their collection to kick start my new season wardrobe. I’ve worked with the brand before and was super flattered to be asked back for another collaboration and I’m super happy with the pieces I picked out.
This denim utility jumpsuit* was a last minute decision when I picked out my selection. On the website it is show dressed up with some heels and great accessories, but I saw potential in it to make it more casual. I still didn’t expect to love it just as much as I do…It’s so ridiculously comfy and whilst I’m enjoying finding the perfect parter for my Puma X Hello Kitty trainers I’m safe in the knowledge I can dress this up for a drinks date too.
I automatically associate floral dresses with the Spring and Summer months but this navy floral long sleeve pleated midi dress* with it’s darker colour scheme and midi length just screamed Autumn to me. This dress is going to be my go-to for slightly smarter social occasions over the next few months- it’s a little low cut on me so I need to find a cream camisole or something to pop underneath, but I adore this and it’s swishy pleated skirt.
This is probably my favourite outfit of the three and the most typical of what I wear on a day-to-day basis out of work. It was an absolute nightmare to photograph though so you don’t get to see the full glory sadly…but you kind of get the idea! I’ve wanted a floaty midi skirt for ages and this black leopard print* one ticked all of the right boxes. Teamed with the ultimate oversized sweater* in black and these rather gorgeous black croc zip back ankle boots* and this is my ideal Saturday pottering about town outfit.
What do you think of my picks? And what styles are you looking to sport in the coming months?
If there is one thing that has been consistent over my years of blogging then it’s my love of ankle boots. I wear them pretty much all year round and they are often the top of my wish list despite owning numerous pairs.
I was recently very kindly gifted a new pair from Rydale (this pair to be precise), a British brand founded on the love of the great outdoors.
Dress: Monki
These boots are everything my collection has been missing; Chelsea boot style, suede, the perfect autumnal colours and hands down the comfiest pair of shoes I have owned in a long time. I’ve been sporting them recently with little floaty dresses, but as we rapidly approach the cooler months of th year I can’t wait to team them with skinny denim and chunky knits.
At £60 I think these are an absolute steal- they are so high quality you just know they’re going to last. This particular style comes in two other colour ways too, and there are plenty more beautiful boots (and a whole lot more) on the Rydale website.
This is one pair of boots that certainly were made for walking, and I can’t wait to put them through their paces.
You may recognise this dress from a previous wish list post…and lucky me, my Mum treated me to it (FYI, it’s on sale for just £20 now!)
I knew instantly that I wanted to photograph it for the blog, getting back in to outfit photos on a regular basis is something that has been on my agenda for a long time, but quite honestly, I think I have forgotten how to do it!
Shoes c/o Pretty Little Thing
Whereas once posing for photos came pretty naturally, now I do it so infrequently that I just do not know what to do with myself and I find myself feeling incredibly self conscious even thought it’s just Bob and I (with the occasional interruption from Pablo).
Practice makes perfect though right? I really do need to make more of an effort to keep this up. There’s so many things I want to do with the blog, but it seems like I’ve lacked the get up and go to do them. I used to take such pride in keeping this place up to date and looking good, but then I fell in to the “I’m not good enough” slump and it just never happened.
I’m slowly starting to shift that attitude though, not just in terms of blogging, but in life in general. I’ve let insecurity get in my way for as long as I can remember, but finally, at the age of 32 I realise enough is enough.
That being said, if any one has any ideas for the blog, for how to pose for photos, or for how to stop giving a shit about what other people may or may not be thinking then I would be most grateful because I don’t have a whole lot of faith in my own ideas.
Credit cards; everyone seems to have a different opinion on whether or not you should get one. Stories of extreme debt and money-loss can often come to mind when thinking of a credit card, which can scare people off. The truth is though, that credit cards can actually be extremely helpful when used well.
When used efficiently credit cards can be a powerful tool that can help you in the financial world. It can help you to build your credit score, spread the cost of purchases, and also budget well. I’ve teamed up with cashasap.co.uk, experts in short term loans to teach you how to use a credit card well. Read this guide to help you decide if a credit card is right for you.
How to Use a Credit Card Well
Build Credit History
Having a credit card can help you build your credit history. A good credit history is important to have as it is what helps you to secure loans in the future, including securing a mortgage. Although not needing to borrow any money is great, it does mean that you won’t have any credit history for lenders to decide if you are a reliable borrower. For this reason it is important that you build up a credit history in advance of needing it, so when you need some form of a loan lenders will be able to approve you.
If you want to use a credit card to improve your rating, you should use it little and often. This means only purchase lower price items often that you will be able to pay off at the end of the month. This is better for your credit rating than using it for big purchases you will not be able to pay off for a few months. Credit reference agencies also recommend keeping below a certain percentage of your credit limit to ensure you have the best impact upon your credit rating.
You should aim to pay back your credit in full each month to avoid interest. To make things easier, you can even set up a direct debit payment that will automatically pay off the full amount every month. It takes time to build up credit history, so the sooner you start the better.
Buy Securely
Using a credit card can help you to protect any important purchases you make. If you buy something online, for example, and it either doesn’t arrive or arrives damaged, then your credit company is also responsible for getting the money back, depending on the price of the purchase. This means that if something goes wrong in your purchase, you can let your credit provider know and they are responsible for getting the money back.
Anything between the price of £20-30,000 bought on your credit card is covered by the law. This means you can charge higher ticket items to your credit card and then paying it back once the item or service is delivered.
There are many in which having a credit card can be extremely beneficial. It is important to remember if you do get one to use it wisely and ensure you don’t end up in any financial strain! It can improve your credit history if used well, but can also harm it if not. Evidently you just have to look at the facts and decide if you think a credit card is right for you.
The photos in this post were taken so long ago, I don’t even remember when; probably sometime between my birthday and when we went on holiday, but I can’t be sure. So much has changed since then, it’s crazy. I feel like I’ve reached yet another turning point, and whilst it isn’t all plain sailing, I’m loving it.
Life: Life has been so chaotic since we got back from America. First there was the jet-lag (which was far worse than I could ever have predicted). Then we had busy weekends with family and friends, celebrating our engagement and attending a truly fabulous wedding. We’ve had a couple of more relaxed weekends recently, and I had a week off work which I used to re-charge, and I’m starting to learn it’s ok to rest as much as it is ok to be frantically busy all of the time. It’s ok to feel like you have no time to do anything, to fall behind on the housework and then be so exhausted all you can do is vegetate. I’ve learnt to accept that things can’t be perfect all of the time, and most importantly I am learning to deal with the anxiety that provokes.
Home life is fantastic, our little rented house feels like a proper home at last, and Pablo, Bob and I make a great little unit. Pablo continues to keep us on our toes, his most recent escapade being falling out of our bedroom window. Thankfully he suffered little more than a busted too which required a minor op, but he is the poster child for why pet insurance is crucial!
Wedding: Somehow we’ve been engaged for 10 weeks! I’m still in a slight state of disbelief- I never thought I’d find the person I truly can’t imagine my life without, but here I am, ring on my finger and totally clueless as to where to start! We’ve been asked loads when the wedding will be- a couple of years yet! We’re looking at Autumn 2021 to give us time to save and plan. I might sound stupid here, but I had no idea just how expensive weddings were! I knew they were costly but it seems everything is mega money and we really don’t want to get in to debt for our big day. We have a couple of venue ideas in mind, but that’s about it as far as plans go. Of course I’ve looked online at dresses and shoes and all of the super girly bits- egged on by one very excited mother of the bride! Bob and I have put together a rough guest list and over the coming weeks hopefully we’ll get a bit more of a solid plan in to place so we know just how much of our hard earned cash we need to stash away.
I’ll gladly welcome any and all wedding planning tips, I truly find the whole thing baffling!
Mental Health & Recovery: It wouldn’t be a sit down and ramble about life post without touching on my mental health and recovery. In short, things are great. I can’t remember a time in my adult life when I have every been happier, things have steadily been getting better since meeting Bob two and a half years ago, but recently things seem to have fallen in to place a little bit more.
Anorexia wise I am probably the most “normal” I have ever been since first becoming unwell at the age of 15. It’s been a 17 year uphill battle but finally I have hope that I can beat this for good. Recently I’ve been enjoying the things that many people will take for granted- eating lunch and snacks with colleagues rather than going to sit out in the rain, or going without because I couldn’t stand others seeing me eat. I have enjoyed fancy meals at lovely restaurants, and surprised Bob by suggesting meals or snacks that have previously been off the cards. When we first met there were about three dinners we rotated between…now we do have our regular favourites, but we have variety and normality in the cooking process; using oil, letting someone cook for me and serve up for me. Flexibility and freedom. There is still a way to go, kinks to iron out, challenges to embrace and that ever present last little bit of weight restoration (for long-term health and potential baby carrying). I still get stressed by food at times, cry over things that may seem trivial, but I am well and truly winning, helped along the way by some fantastic books around intuitive eating (please say if you’d like more on this as I could write a post).
In terms of general mental health things are looking good too. I had a bad week last week where my mood took a random dip and anxiety ruled, but I’ve bounced back and recovered. I’m working on reducing medications, find I can do more and more that previously would have been impossible- two lots of drinks with colleagues/friends in a week? No problem! Speaking my mind in a difficult situation? Why not!
I don’t know what prompted this post, but it’s been therapeutic to write it. I’ve been in a bit of a blogging slump lately but I’m starting to break free of it and hopefully can make this a place I am proud to call my own again.
High fives and a chocolate finger to anyone who made it this far! Until next time…
