LONDON

So it's official - I have moved. I did it! I have moved all the way from Durham to London and it all went rather smoothly if I do say so myself. Yes I may have left packing to the last minute, and yes I may have not been able to fit everything into the car but that's beside the point - I did it.

It has been a pretty busy year to be honest - I decided I wanted to move to The Big Smoke for the bright lights. Of course it was difficult to leave my family, we are close and I was living at home. But I haven't looked back - and there is a Space NK on pretty much every street here...

(My parents took it a little hard - so they did what any normal family does when their first born flies the nest...buy a puppy. Yes, I really am THAT replaceable.)

They got the cute factor bang on...

However I have fallen on my feet - location wise I am bang in the centre and housemate wise I am living with my mate (beautiful back of the head pictured above...) who I have known since I was 7.

My flat is a cosy modern three bed that has a gym and pool on the lower part of the block and even a sauna and although I will never get my head around the staggering difference in rent between the North East and London, I couldn't be happier.

For all those who are mulling over the idea of relocating and have been for quite some time - in the words of Shia LeBoeuf - just do it. My only advice is maybe pack the car a day before so you can work out if it actually all fits. Or maybe just hire a van for just your beauty products!

...LONG TIME COMING

Now, let's just address the deep irony of my last blog post - working 9-5 and then, predictably, the blogging stopped. In actual fact I work 8 until 6.30pm but that's neither here nor there...

The past six months have been interesting to say the least, I have been in a delightfully stressful Catch 22 where I have had a disposable income meaning my beauty purchases have been somewhat excessive, and yet I have not had the time to share such indulgences. 

However, for the first time in a long time I have felt inspired to share my musings once again. And let's face it, this blog provided justification of my ridiculous spending habits. "It's all in the name of my blog" I would tell myself as I wandered in Space NK on a weekend. 

So, shall I just get you all caught up on the past six months of my life through a good old photo binge? 

Work training // Reunion

Durham in full swing // Portsmouth

A lot of drinking was done // Ibiza

 View from the office

Caitlin Moran // Greenwich 

25 // Kohl Mama's beautiful baby

Training commences // Zurich

Sisterly love // The Jacksons

Sporadic, I realise. 

What have you been up to?

WORKING 9-5

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

What's this? Professional gear?

That's right, I got myself a grown-up job. Granted I still answer with "22" when asked how old I am. (I am a few years above that...eeek)

Nevertheless I bagged myself a job and my first day is Monday. New beginnings go hand in hand with nerves, excitement, apprehension and of course a new wardrobe. 

After getting a few staple black structured dresses from New Look and tailored collarless blazers from Topshop I had the basics done. Now it's time to get a bit more fancy. Of course, I am not going to waltz into the office in Jeffery Campbells and a Vivienne Westwood sharp angled dress, but a bit of flare is good, right?

Here are a few things I have my eye on but sadly will have to wait for payday to add them to my ever expanding wardrobe. 

Do you have any professional wear tips? Good shops?

WEEKEND PLANNING

source

Okay okay, true to form I made around 100 New Year's Resolutions for 2014.

Be more healthy, be more fit, be more organised, be more selfless, blog more, travel more....blah blah blah. New Year's Resolutions are great things because you aim to better yourself but often we set ourselves up for disappointment (NY resolution #58 - learn to spell disappointment).

So, instead of striving to obtain impossible goals, I am going to just make little manageable changes to my life and of course...my blog.

Vis à vis my 'be more organised' resolution, I am going to post every Friday with a few ideas on how to organise ones weekend a little more whilst simultaneously hitting a few of the classic 'resolutions'. 

1. Read a chapter of a book.

- Let's face it, as we mature we don't often read as much. It's sad because growing up often gives us a self-awareness that goes hand in hand with a good book. But be it not having enough time or not having enough energy we slack and eventually give into the temptation of watching a movie. Well, instead of saying "I will read a book a night and then some" and inevitably failing, why not aim to read just a chapter? Usually, (if the book is a good'un) you will want to read on. But you have to try it first, can't judge it by its cover.

2. Clean our your laptop/phone

- Snooze eh? At the moment I am going through the incredibly frustrating "not enough storage" process on my iPhone. Every time I go to take a picture of a friend I have to make them awkwardly stand there for a minute or two whilst I go through my album to delete a few cat photos. So, this Saturday I will spend a minimum of 20 minutes clearing out all the needless photos of lattes and be done with it!

3. Clean your makeup brushes

- This mundane task bores the life out of me and I often forget to do it. But come Monday morning I am caking 3 weeks of old makeup onto my face and cursing myself for not doing it when I had the chance. Why not make it as fun as humanly possible? Go get your laptop, a glass of wine and put on your favourite show and get to work! 

What are your 'resolutions' and do you like this kind of post?