Lost your mojo?

Wow, we’re nearly a quarter of the way through the year already! The year is flying by and, huge sigh of relief, summer will soon be on its way!

I wanted to write this post because I have been absent from the blog for quite some weeks. During this time I’ve had my fair share of bad news and allowed my anxiety to get the better of me! Causing me to cut myself off from people, stop doing the things I love and just generally lose my way a little. I think most of us go through patches like this and each time you just have to give yourself a kick up the backside and get back on track. Trust me, I know it’s not quite that easy!

I’ve recently taken some time out to focus on myself. For me, having the time to reflect has been so important and I’ve realised a lot about myself and things that I need to remember when I need that little boost. So why not share it with the online world? If my little bits of advice on leading a happy lifestyle can help even one person then this post will be more than worth it!

1)      Don’t be a people pleaser
This is one I have found extremely difficult to get my head around. Throughout my teenage years and even more recently I’d constantly find myself in places or situations I didn’t want to be in for the sake of a friend. I’m not saying we should be selfish and never do favours- but just think about what YOU want to do. For example; when I’m going through a rough patch or feeling anxious the last place I want to be is out in a busy club all night, drinking until 3am- but when your friends are nagging that your ‘boring' or 'a let down’ it’s pretty easy to just cave in and go.  Learn to say no!  Life is far too short to do things you’re uncomfortable with or generally don’t want to do for the sake of other people and if that person is a true friend, they will understand!

 

2)      Pen and paper
This is something I learnt from my sister. She once told me ‘any problem in life can be made easier by sitting down with a pen and some paper’. I have to admit I thought she was having a laugh but I gave it a go and to my surprise it actually helped. You can literally write anything from goals that you want to achieve, lists of things you’re grateful of or even just how you’re feeling. It’s a perfect outlet and really does make a difference.

 

3)      Have fun!
When things are looking grey, it can become really easy to just hide away in bed and let each day roll in to one. It’s ok to have lazy days but don’t get stuck in the routine. Make plans with people, go to your favourite restaurants, go shopping for the day, bake, go to the gym, just do absolutely anything that YOU enjoy...This one may sound like common sense but we sometimes need reminding that life is what we make it!

 

4)      Pamper yourself happy
This may come across slightly vein but when I need a pick me up there’s nothing better than a good pamper session! Whether it’s a candle-lit bath, a manicure or even just doing my make-up and wearing an outfit that makes me feel good. Personally, when I’ve got a big bun on my head with jog bottoms on- I just don’t feel as confident in myself. Surprising, isn’t it?

 

5)      Look back, aim forward.
Last but not least this is one of my favourites when I’m trying to get back to my positive self. I love just sitting down and looking through photographs of some amazing memories like family holidays and things I got up to with friends last summer. This not only reminds me how lucky I am to have great people in my life, but it also motivates me to make plans for the year. It gives me something to aim towards and be excited about!

 

Hopefully those 5 little points will help to remind you of ways you can stay positive. One of the most important things that I can say is don’t beat yourself up! Everyone struggles with things at some point in their life, it’s about taking care of yourself and getting through it.

Writing is something that has always been a passion of mine and is also a great outlet. So you can expect to see this blog fill up regular posts from now on with fitness, fashion, food, travel- basically everything that I fill my life with. Everything that makes me happy!

That’s what life’s about right?

Struck with the January blues

It’s that time of year where a lot of us fall in to that miserable winter gloom. Who can blame us? December was filled with festivities, a huge build up to Christmas day, our own body weight in chocolate and of course NYE celebrations and all of that time setting goals for 2015. We blinked and it was all over! We’re back at work thinking to ourselves ‘reality sucks!’. So here I am hiding from the freezing cold (its literally been snowing as I type this), giving you some of my top tips for getting through January!

1)  Treat yourself!

Yes, I know. We’ve only just had Christmas, but after buying all them gifts for everybody we’re allowed to treat ourselves..right? The start of a year can mean many changes for a lot of people and one thing I like to change is my make-up. Yep, living on the edge as always! I’m always lucky enough to get a beautiful new make-up bag for Christmas each year and I really look forward to stocking it up with new products as well as old favourites! This year, Soap and Glory have got a big place in my make-up bag and FYI if you’re looking for the best winter nude lip colour the Sexy Mother Pucker gloss stick in nudist is a must! You can even kiss chapped lips goodbye!

2)Beat the flu!

This time of year is the worst for catching every cold and virus known to man! Everywhere you go people are coughing and sneezing! There’s nothing worse than planning a healthy year of fitness with visions of being a gym bunny and then BAM, you’re struck down with the flu and before you know it you’ve not been the gym since January 1^st! Sometimes there’s just no avoiding winter colds, but if we build our immune system up we’re a bit more likely to fight them off and avoid them all together! I’m no expert but below are the things I find pretty handy when it comes to flu season!

- Multivitamins

- Echinaforce (Echinacea drops) these don’t taste great but also help to fight any cold or flu symptoms!

- Carex anti-bacteria gel, because people really don’t take notice of ‘catch it, bin it, kill it’.

- Fruit! May be common sense but I sometimes need reminding just how good fruit is for us. Whack some in a blender and create a super green juice and 1 a day really should help to keep the doctor away!!

3)  Have some me time!

December really was a hectic month! We literally shopped until we dropped, opened presents with the family, partied with friends and did more socialising than we do all year! We put quite a lot of pressure on ourselves in January, especially those with a long list of New Year’s resolutions!  Don’t be so hard on yourself, its fine to have goals but just remember you have 12 whole months to achieve them! Its ok to sit in your dressing gown, watching the tv with some left over Christmas chocolates and skip the gym now and then! We’re all human and no matter what you have on your list of resolutions- being happy should be at the very top! So pop the kettle on, make yourself a cuppa and relax! The gym will still be open tomorrow!

 2)  Be active!

This may go completely against what I’ve just said but- hear me out! As well as having those cosy pampering nights in, exercise is also an amazing mood lifter so it is important to add it to your schedule. No matter what your goals are, putting those trainers on and heading out to the gym or for a long walk/run WILL benefit you both mentally and physically! We all have them ‘the worlds against me’ days where we just want to get back in bed and end the day early, but I guarantee some exercise will turn your mood right around and make you ready to take on the world! So what are you waiting for?

3)  Plan!

What do you want to do this year? Where do you want to go? We have 11 ½ months left of the year, sooo much can happen in that time. So get proactive, make lists, organise things and give yourself something to look forward to! January can be miserable but if you’re counting down to a summer holiday or working towards career ambitions then it may be just that bit better!

That's it! My January blues survival kit, don't worry guys before you know it summer will be here and we'll all have that spring back in our step (as well as the golden tan that I'm missing right now!) Don't let January be a gloomy month, make the most of every day! This cold weather is a chance to wrap up in our favourite winter clothes- or just snuggle under a blanket with a hot chocolate and watch a DVD! Yes, I know how old/sad that makes me sound but after a hectic December, we all just feel like hibernating in January- don't we!?

20 Random Facts!

1) I was born on May 18th 1994. That means its my 21st birthday this year (EEEP!!)

 

2) I live in the Midlands and have done all my life.

 

3) I currently work in retail.

 

4) I live with my parents and little dog Charlie! He's too cute for words, just look at that face!

 

 

5) I have an older sister called Hayley who lives in London!

 

6) Last year I was lucky enough to travel to LA first class- casually sipping champagne next to no other than Tom Ford. (I still have to pinch myself!)

 

 

7) I was in New York City when Hurricane Sandy struck- and yes I did freak out.

 

8) I am a bit of a gym bunny and secretly love exercise!

 

9) My absolute favourite fruit is mango!

 

10) My favourite shop is Zara, I could wander around for hours.

 

11) My favourite drink is hot water and lemon. Grandma Alert!!

 

12) I can ski.

 

13) I had scoliosis as a teen and had corrective surgery which means I now have two rods in my back. As the song says, I am titanium!

 

14)  I love Fuerteventura (corralejo to be precise) me and my family go there on holiday every year!

 

15) I could eat porridge for breakfast and even lunch every single day if I let myself. It's like a hug in a bowl!

 

16) I'm currently learning to speak Spanish. Muy Buena!

 

17) I have big ambitions to travel and see the world.

 

18) My favourite colour would have to be blue/turquoise.

 

19) I'm STILL deciding what I want to do with the rest of my life. Career stress!

 

20) My ultimate favourite food is Sweet Potato. Lush- that's all I have to say!

 

I decided to do this more personal post as I realised I hadn't even introduced myself yet. What better way of doing that than with 20 random facts about me!? I love reading these on other blogs so thought I would do one too! We all love being a bit nosey and knowing the random things... or is that just me?...

 

Until next time,



With love, Dubai

Towards the end of 2014 me and my family travelled to Dubai desperate for some sun, a beach and a break from reality!

We’d not been before so none of us knew what to expect and we certainly weren’t disappointed!

 

On our first day we jumped straight on the little shuttle to get our feet on the sand and our backsides on the sun lounger! British winters are just no fun! Winters in Dubai however, well that’s a different story! The weather was amazing from the moment we got there to the moment we left which made it even more difficult to get back on the plane home!

We stayed at the Grosvenor House and I can honestly say it’s the most beautiful place I’ve ever had the pleasure of staying in. It’s a hotel of two towers filled with award winning restaurants and bars with staff that would go above and beyond anyone’s expectations.

As it was a special occasion, we were lucky enough to stay in a beautiful penthouse with a view that would even put NYC skyline to shame (yep- I said it!).  The rooms were incredible and I’ve got to admit the best part for me was the walk in wardrobe, I repeat walk in wardrobe...yep, I felt like I could be in a Sex and The City movie...move over SJP!

 

The holiday was special for many reasons but most importantly my beautiful mother/best friend turned 50 and so she opened her cards and gifts sat on a sun lounger with a glass of bubbly. If that wasn’t enough, the staff at the hotel made such an effort to celebrate it, throughout the day she was given a birthday cake and happy birthday song at least 3 times! The staff couldn’t have done any more to make her day special.

 

 

 

We ended her birthday at a beautiful restaurant called Rivington Grill, I would recommend this place to anyone visiting Dubai. We enjoyed dinner on the balcony overlooking the famous Burj Khalifa tower and with perfect view of the majestic Dubai fountain show.  These fountains are literally mind blowing! For anyone who hasn’t heard of them before, I have left a link to a video I found on YouTube- but if you ever happen to be in the area, they need to be high up on your list of things to see whilst in Dubai! The show takes place a few times each hour with a variety of songs from Arabic classics to a bit of Micheal Jackson!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Yq84oDpIPc



Whilst in Dubai we took the opportunity to visit the iconic Atlantis The Palm hotel to release our inner child’s at their Aquaventure water park. This day was amazing, and the best part had to be sliding through the aquarium- we had a whale of a time!

 

 

Overall this really was a holiday of a lifetime, I saw some of the most amazing sites and really would recommend Dubai for a holiday and some winter sun! The only downside is that every other place I travel to from now on will have a lot to live up to! I can only promise that I will take better photos next time I’m there… and there 100% will be a next time!

Writing this post has made me so excited for my travels this year. The faint memory of sitting on that beach with a cold drink has been replaced with sitting in my dressing gown with a cup of tea! Hello holiday blues!

Until next time,

KJ xo

 

New Year, New Blog

Happy New Year!! I hope everyone had a great 2014, and finished it off with a fun-filled Christmas!

I personally love New Year! Some people see it as ‘same shit different year’ but those ‘glass half full’ people like myself see it as a fresh start and an encouragement to set ourselves goals of what we wish to achieve in the year of 2015!

As a child I loved setting New Year’s resolutions, they would always be along the lines of ‘save more pocket money’ or ‘go to drama class every week without fail’.  I’m still saving money now, and haven’t got a job in the West End so you can probably guess those resolutions didn’t stick around for very long!

Now I’m older and wiser (slightly wiser) I realised that New Year’s resolutions just aren’t worth it. I know so many people that say they are going to lose weight or give up smoking every single year and before February’s out they’re stood outside the local Chinese, cigarette in hand!

I personally like to set my self goals for the year, nothing with too much pressure, but things that I wish to achieve and that will motivate me. There’s no better feeling than being able to tick something off your list and know you’ve achieved something you set out to!

This year my lists slightly bigger:

·         Work towards a healthy body and mind! This one is quite an important one for me! I personally love exercising and eating healthy but getting in to a routine can prove to be a little difficult!

·         Raise money for charities! I’ve already signed up for a 10K for the mental health charity Mind! I want to push myself out of my comfort zone to raise money for charities closest to my heart! (This one will also help with my previous goal of fitness!)

·         Learn Spanish! I can already speak the basics, but I’ve been in touch with a local tutor and hope to learn as much as possible.

·         Travel! This year I hope to save money and work towards making some travel plans. There’s so many places to see and why not now!?

·         Appreciate life! This one’s getting a little deep but sometimes I get wrapped up in my own worries and anxiety that I forget to remember how grateful I should be. I have fantastic family and friends and the world at my feet. I just need to remind myself sometimes.

So there you have my goals, typed out in front of you! No backing out now! I wish everyone a year filled with health and happiness! Don’t forget to push yourself out of your comfort zone and try to achieve something you never thought you could! We’re more capable than we give ourselves credit for!

PS. WELCOME TO MY BLOG!! I’ve wanted to do this for months and finally have jumped out of my comfort zone and took the plunge! You can expect all things featuring on this blog from what I get up to, my beauty and fashion favourites and of course my journey trying to achieve all the goals listed above!

New Year, New Blog!

KJ XO