‘Low self-confidence is the greatest enemy of progress, and if you don’t believe you are capable of personal growth then it is unlikely that you will ever improve yourself.’

This post will basically just be me discussing how important self-confidence really is, and hopefully help people to truly understand the successes self-confidence can bring!

Does anyone else feel like they need reassuring that you look good? Or that you’re doing well? Whether it’s through likes, comments or in real life. Why do we need the approval from others? Why can’t the approval from ourselves be enough.

If you don’t have confidence in yourself mentally and physically then the amount of complements you receive won’t mean a thing.

I struggled writing this post because it felt as though I was writing about something I don’t even have. But some days I have so much self-confidence and some days it lowers. In the times you feel as though you have no self-confidence it is important to know that you won’t always feel like that. And if you want success in life you can’t possibly feel like that all of the time.

Personal growth comes from having the confidence to begin with.

Be kind to yourself, being kinder to ourselves will bring us more self-love.

Let’s make 2019 a year to not care what people think and love yourself!

PLAN

It is so important to know what you need to include in you portfolio before you just start gluing things to big pieces of card, we don’t want to waste any time. I found that the best way to plan my portfolio was to go onto the website of the university/ universities which I was applying for and find out what they look for in a portfolio, it’s also best to look at the requirements specific to your chosen course. Copy and paste all the information you find so that now you have a checklist of what to make sure is in your portfolio so that you get into your chosen University and onto the course you want. I found that printing out the checklist and highlighting the key points worked best for me. Now you will know exactly what your university is looking for.

MAKE A MESS

Get out all of your work, all of your sketchbooks and lay it all out. Now you can see all of the work you have and which parts you want to include and which parts you may not need to include.

START CREATING

Hopefully you have enough work to start creating your physical portfolio. If you’re creating yours using big pieces of card then begin by laying out your images – don’t stick anything down yet! Make sure you show a process in your portfolio. Showing how you planned to make something and then showing the final piece- how you got there and any challenges you faced during the making. Tutors usually look for progress and the process of your work to show how you work.

LOOK BACK

Once you have all of your portfolio (if not, the majority) of your portfolio lay out – you can now look back. Look back over your layout and your order. Is everything up to standard? Have you included all of your best work? Does your portfolio come alive? Are YOU happy with it? You have to like the outcome of your portfolio otherwise you will find it very difficult to talk about in your interview.

BRING IT ALIVE

Glue/stick all of your work down (I like to use double-sided tape as it gives a professional finish) And if you have any sketchbooks make sure they are all complete to a high standard. Unless you have a sketchbook you are currently working on then your sketchbook/s should be complete.

Only recently I’ve actually started to read! And I have read multiple books based upon The Law Of Attraction and I’m addicted. It is so intriguing to learn more on how we think and how to improve ourselves mentally. These three books talk a lot about that but without getting too scientific or complicated..

The first thing I want to say is the book named “The Secret” is a book everyone needs to read. I emphasise the “need” because in order for you to get where to and what you want in life you need the right mindset, right? In these three books which I suggest you read the ‘secret’ is included (in some way) in all of them.

‘WHAT A TIME TO BE ALONE’ – Chidera Eggerue

I bought this book from Urban Outfitters and – Oh My God. It’s so eye-opening. In life we aren’t taught how to think and feel about certain situations, so it’s good to know that it is okay to be sad, it is okay to want to be loved and it is okay to love yourself.

This book has some of my favourite quotes in, and I wish I could just copy up the whole book! But that would be crazy..

“You do not exist to meet anybody else’s standards. The only standards worth meeting are your own.”

“You Can Heal Your Life” – Louise Hay

I read this book a few months ago and I would love to re-read it. It’s the only book I have ever actually been so intrigued in the authors life too. She was truly an inspiring woman. The title may put you off as it is cringy..but the book is amazing! I think this book is for everyone, I want everyone I know to read this book and I think they would love it. It just opens your eyes and shows you that what you do to take care of yourself can mentally and physically save your life.

“The Working Woman’s Handbook” – Phoebe Lovatt  

This book is inspiring. Mainly because it tells me exactly how to get where I want in life. I guess it reassures us women that we can make a successful career which we will enjoy and that is so important to know. If you want to make a career plan maybe, then buy this book!

If you are debating whether to go to Uni or to take a gap year then I hope that this post might help you decide and help you understand that you DON’T need to have your whole life planned out!

Throughout my two years in college I “knew” I was going to do a third year, gain more experience in Textiles, and then go to Uni. That was my plan. However, right toward the end of studying I thought to myself “I don’t want to be here for another year..” Then I decided I wanted to move to Sweden?? That definitely was not what I had planned.

Sometimes I do wish I went to Uni this year. Because of that, I say that it is worth applying to Uni! Even if you aren’t sure you want to go, or even if you think you definitely don’t want to go, a lot changes. I know that from experience, keep all of your options open, otherwise you will likely regret it. 

Are you one of those people who feels as though they NEED a plan otherwise they’ll go insane? Because I am! And if you are okay with not having a ‘plan’ then go you! However, I have learn’t to not let it effect me when my plans go completely not to plan.. just know that you haven’t failed when things don’t go to plan! Better things usually come from not planning.

A gap year is described as a period of time taken by a student as a break from education, usually between college and University. If you work yourself to the bone during college and feel as though you need a break, and can afford that break, just take it, you probably deserve it. As long as you know your goal and your career ambition for the future, you will make it. Even if you have no idea what career you want to have, take that year to find out!

I struggled with coming to terms with taking a gap year. For me, being in education and learning new things counts as being productive, however, I have learnt so much being on my own. Coming away from what was once your reality and being completely independent can teach you a lot more than you think.    

Doing something now which you don’t enjoy can make you realise what you do want from life.

I work in a restaurant now. I love my job. But from working here I know for sure that I will not be doing this forever. Trying out different things can put life in perspective for you. If you have tried Uni and it isn’t for you it is not the end of the world. Yes it costs money. But be kind to yourself and your future self by making yourself happy now!

Knowing what motivates you and what doesn’t is very important in order to be productive. Whether it’s the food you eat, the people you surround yourself with, the activities you do and what you are being motivated to do. All of these aspects go hand-in-hand.

Social Media- Social Media does motivate me. In fact it has just motivated me to write this. I have been scrolling on Instagram as you do in the morning, and I come across so many bloggers and their blogs are flawless! So I have finally found the motivation to continue writing this blog. Whereas social media can motivate us for some of the wrong reasons, it can make us feel down, make us feel like we have to do things to be like other people. But it is important to know when to stop. When to come away from social media and not let it motivate you for the wrong reasons. Only let social media motivate you to a certain extent and as soon as you feel yourself comparing yourself to others, it’s important to stop and come away.

Friends- I think I have the bestest friends I could ever ask for! I don’t have many but the ones I have support and motivate me with anything I want to do. It is extremely important to have friends which support and motivate you with your ambitions. If they don’t, then I don’t think they’re your friends. So in order to sustain your motivation it is important to surround yourself with friends who will motivate you!

Food- It sounds weird but I think food is a good way of staying positive and motivated. If you feel like you’re eating better then you are going to do better. I don’t mean going on a diet to stay motivated I just mean maybe changing some of your eating habits will probably motivate you to do more because you will feel like you can physically do more.

Family-  Similar to friends, it is so important to have family who support, appreciate and motivate you! The people you surround yourself with are the biggest influences in your life. So I hope that everyone has family who motivates you to do the best you can!

Hobbies- A hobby is something we do for pleasure. An activity which we enjoy to do on a regular basis. Hobbies motivate us because when we do something we enjoy we become motivated to do more with ourselves, so please find a hobby you enjoy! It is so important to have something you enjoy doing outside of work or school, college, etc.  It may take you a while to find something you love devoting your time to, but when you do it ill be worth it.

YOU- Probably your biggest motivation. You are the only person who can truly motivate yourself do to all of these things. No one is the same. Different strategies work for different people, so find what works best for you.  It is so important to know yourself.

Thank you for reading! I really hope that this blog gives you some ideas if you are struggling to find motivation, but everyone has it you just have to find it.

How little we know about where and how we get our clothes is scary. We don’t know enough about the impact our clothing has on people and the planet. Maybe if we knew then we’d ALL make a change.

I had no idea how dreadful the effects can be on the environment after buying just one item of clothing.  Now that I know I want to make a change to my shopping habits, and I’m hoping that you will too. Below I have wrote about the environmental and moral effects which take place today.

If you don’t know, Fast fashion is the approach to the design, creation, and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasises making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers. (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast%20fashion)

Jeans- Approximately 7,000 litres of water are needed to produce one pair of jeans (the amount of water an individual drinks in 5-6 years)

One pair of jeans ??? Before I moved I had about 7/8 pairs of jeans (half of them which I never wore and are still hanging in my wardrobe now) Now, I have 3 maybe 4 pairs of jeans. That’s all I need. It’s all about cutting down, and thinking before you buy. If we all made a small change it could have a huge effect on our environment and humanity. The amount of poverty still present in our society today is unbelievable. And factories use up to 7,000 litres of water for one pair of jeans? I wish that wasn’t true.

“Beading and sequins are an indication of child labour”

I read this online and my heart broke. Who knew this? I certainly did not. Maybe if we all knew this we’d think before buying beaded and sequin tops/ dresses? I’m not saying never buy any item of clothing with beads or sequins on! However, maybe just think and do your research on the brand before making that purchase.

“Compared to 16 years ago (2002), the average person buys 60% more clothing and keeps them for half as long”

Can we really afford to keep throwing away our clothes?  How much more can our planet and the people who live near these landfills take.

“Clothes made from polyester can take up to 200 years to break down”

T-shirt material is usually made from a blend of polyester and cotton. Maybe two of the most damaging garment materials of all.I’m sure we have all bought a cheap, cute T-shirt for the sake of buying it? Then maybe it gets old, stained or the seams come apart, then we throw it away right? Because no one will want it now. And that t–shirt could sit on our land, near peoples’ homes for up to 200 years.

“fake fur is not biodegradable. According to The Daily Mail, faux-fur garments typically end up in a landfill and “just like petroleum-based plastic bags, can take up to 1,000 years to decompose.” 

And I just wrote about all of my faux-fur jackets which I love..maybe I’ll think before buying 5 of the same types of jackets now that I know the impact they have on the environment.

“Textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of clean water globally”

This is polluting clean water which families and young children have to drink from. On the BBC documentary you can see the effects this polluted water has on families living where their only water supply is the water being polluted by textile dyeing. It’s truly shocking to see the conditions of their water which once was clean.

“Fast fashion brands put out new collections every week or month to make it seem like your wardrobe is all off trend. This is the reason you sit and stare at your full wardrobe thinking you have nothing to wear” Who can relate? Because I definitely can.

It honestly upsets me because I truly believe that if these environmental effects were taking place in the UK or at least in Europe then we’d all want to change the way we shop. Just because we don’t see the environmental effects going on around us doesn’t mean that they aren’t taking place. I cannot justify how unfair it is on the people who take part in slave labour so that we can wear our “on trend” garments.

I am definitely NOT telling anyone what they can and can’t buy,  I am certainly not going to lie and say I will never buy anything from Pretty little Thing every again, but maybe I won’t buy a dress to wear for that one occasion then never again. I think we all deserve to know just how badly our shopping habits can effect our planet and the people who live on it.

There are many websites and YouTube videos which tell you which high-street brands are fast fashion:

https://goodonyou.eco/five-fast-fashion-brands-we-avoid/

I think a lot of these huge brands like TopShop, Pretty Little thing, Zara, River Island, Missguided and many more are trying to make a change. But the only way they will change and become sustainable is if WE make them change!

• STOP impulse buying
• STOP buying an item of clothing just to wear it once
• START borrowing your friends clothes for different occasions
• START buying/ selling clothes on Depop
• START to think about the environment you want to live in. 

I definitely recommend watching Stacey Dooleys documentary “Stacey Dooley investigates fashions dirtiest secrets.” This can be found on the BBC website. http://www.bbc.com/

I got the majority of my information from: https://www.sustainablefashionmatterz.com/fashion-facts/ so if you want to find out more of the effects then click on the link!

Having statement clothing pieces which you can rely on in the Winter time in essential. I find it so difficult finding clothes which are going to keep me warm and still look fashionable! So I have discovered a few essential pieces which will help us achieve our style goals this Winter!

Flared pants – I have always loved the look of flared pants. Although some people can’t stand them. But they are so flattering! They’re full length so they keep your legs warm and they look effortlessly fashionable! They give off a unique vibe which stops you getting bored of wearing average skinny jeans all the time. They have become such a staple piece this Winter (especially in Stockholm) so I would definitely invest!

Boots – Timberland boots are my favourite in the winter. And you don’t have to buy Timberlands, you can get so many cheaper alternatives which look just like them! They look autumnal, cute and go with near enough anything! I’d definitely consider investing in some Timberlands or something similar to keep your feet feeling warm and looking cute.

Knee high boots – What do you wear when it’s freezing on a night out ?? Knee high boots. They bring an outfit together as well as keeping the majority of you legs warm. They are also perfect to dress up a daytime look. I don’t think they’ll ever go off trend. You can purchase knee high boots from almost any high street stores, River Island, H&M, Zara, NewLook and so many more!

Knitted jumpers- Obviously. Knitted jumpers are just essential right? They look cute and feel amazing. You can buy these from almost anywhere at a range of prices. Knitted jumpers can keep you warm when wearing them under a light denim jacket, or if it’s super cold they look adorable under a big fluffy jacket.

A hat- I was so picky when trying to find a cute hat that didn’t look silly on me! I didn’t want to spend a ridiculous amount on a hat..but I wanted one with a cute logo. I eventually found this hat in H&M. I love the neutral colours and the little logo on the front. It was so cheap and I wear it almost everyday! A cute hat is essential during these freezing winter months.

I hope this post has given you some helpful ideas if you are ever struggling to find something to wear during the changing of the seasons from Autumn into Winter. But what is most important is to wear whatever you feel your best in! It’s not essential or healthy to keep up with every trend if you don’t like what you are wearing. To me, feeling like I look good in what I’m wearing is the most important thing and the clothes you wear should always make you feel good about yourself.

I discovered the brand Sisters And Seekers through Instagram and I instantly fell in love! If you are into edgy, effortless fashion then I definitely suggest you check out their website !

Firstly, the website is gorgeous! A simple layout so that you can see all of the items styled in multiple ways. It was super easy to find what I wanted and I LOVE the new range “Autumn Winter” It’s just all the clothes you need this winter.

Their Instagram is also a main platform to promote their items. Go onto their Instagram and you will be hooked! I came across their Instagram and the bloggers who style their clothes are flawless! Which definitely makes you want their stunning items even more!

I purchased the “ALL WHITE” trainers and the “EFFORT” sweatpants. I heard everyone raving about the fit of the sweatpants so i just had to try them! and I was in need of new white trainers and the price was just so good..I couldn’t help myself.

I am SO pleased with both of my items! the trainers are sturdy and so comfortable. I work such long shifts so I need comfortable shoes. They are stunning and such a good price!

The sweatpants are lush. If anyone is looking for sweatpants that are flattering so you can actually wear them outside without looking like you’re going to bed!! I would definitely consider buying the “EFFORT” sweatpants.They definitely look like you’ve made and effort when you really haven’t!

Also..can we all just appreciate how cute the packaging is! Absolutely adorable. Such an incredible clothing brand for empowering women to wear what they want!

“Clothes aren’t going to change the world, the women who wear them will”

Feeling cosy and still looking fashionable is a challenge! But I find with these gorgeous, fluffy jackets that it is possible!

Last Winter I began to fall in love with fluffy, cosy jackets and this year I think I’ve taken it a bit too far..but you can never have enough jackets, right??

If you haven’t already got a fluffy jacket for the Winter then it’s time to invest! It’s definitely not too late, they’re everywhere now. And you don’t have to pay a ridiculous amount for them! My most expensive one was about £80..but that was from Urban Outfitters, one of my favourite stores.

I have included screenshots of some jackets which are similar to mine, from the same online shops!

The first jacket is from ASOS. I think it was about £65 and it can definitely be worn in the day time and to dress up in the evening. It’s essential to have a jacket which you can wear on a night out, since it gets freezing now!

My cropped black jacket was bought from Missguided. I like this one especially because it is thinner, however it still has lining on the inside so it will keep you warm! I spent about £40 on this one and have definitely got my money out of it. It’s black so it goes with everything! It’s too nice not to wear.

The pale pink jacket is from Urban Outfitters. It literally feels like I’m wearing a dressing gown…and I’m obsessed. It’s so cosy! I love throwing it on if I am in work early in the morning and just want to be comfortable. As well as it being made from the softest material it also looks so cute! So you’re comfortable and fashionable, perfect.

My other black jacket is also from Urban Outfitters. I bought this just before I moved away because Sweden is cold! And this jacket is so warm. This jacket is also lined on the inside so it’s perfect when the weather is freezing! It is also so cute, it looks like I’m wearing a big, oversized hoodie. And oversized clothes are always a trend.

The last one is my most recent purchase. I bought this from Zara, probably one of my new favourite shops! it’s cropped so it’s flattering. And I also thought this would be a gorgeous jacket to style on a night out, as well as in the daytime.

If you are looking for a new faux-fur jacket then I suggest looking at these websites, however, you can simply find them in a variety of shops everywhere!

https://www.asos.com/

https://www.urbanoutfitters.com/

https://www.missguided.eu/

https://www.zara.com/se/en/

I am, like many others, a victim of caring what people think (I mean, who isn’t?) Especially with all the social media that is around. Constantly questioning whether I should post an image which I like because it may not get ‘enough’ likes ?? What even is ‘enough’ likes ?? 50? 100? 200? I suppose it can vary for each individual. However, I do wish it was simple to just post an image which you like regardless of how many likes it will get.

Does anyone else feel that they need to post on Instagram because their “life looks boring” or they’ll “lose followers”? Because I definitely do. And I am SO bored of caring.

Your Instagram is your Instagram. No one else’s.

I know I am relating to Instagram a lot with this topic, but I think that is how I am effected the most and I think it is the same with a lot of people my age. I think we need to understand that people have opinions, people will talk about you. But they don’t know you, as long as you enjoy what you do and you are kind to yourself and to others then you should not care what anyone is saying about you.

It’s easier said than done, I know. I wish I could take my own advice.

Moving away from social media and into the real world is also a challenge. Going out and being you without caring what people around you think. Personally, I find this easier to do because I don’t know the people standing around me in a public place. But on my Instagram, Snapchat and Twitter there are people who ‘know’ me. But I get bored of caring, bored of worrying, If you want to wear something, wear it! If you want to post something, post it!

If they care enough to say something, they care too much.

Do you ever say to yourself, “I want to wear this but people might think I look weird” that’s just your mind telling you that people might think you look weird? There is no purpose for that thought being there.

Our mind can be cruel to us. So we have to train it!

Please let me know by liking or commenting if you enjoy reading these advice-type blogs!