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How to Change the World



...or at least the world around you.

I’m pretty sure 2016 is going to go down in history as a dismal point in the twenty first century. At least, I hope future generations look back appalled at the actions of their ancestors, however much we don't appear to have learnt from previous mistakes.

Right now, many of us are left feeling deflated, scared and disenfranchised. After the devastation of Brexit, the current election result is a heartbreak that’s hard to bear. I, like most, am terrified of what this could mean for millions of Americans. After the EU referendum, hate crime increased by 58% & I can only hope the hatred fuelling Trump’s campaign doesn’t incite a similar alarming reaction.

Be angry, be upset, be afraid, be everything & anything you need to be to make it through but please don’t give up; we have so much further to go.

& if you’re feeling hopeless, here’s 5 things you can do to make a difference right now:

Stressed, Depressed but Well Dressed



Today is World Mental Health Day & although it’s been 24 years since it began, there is still a very real stigma surrounding mental health. 

Today I have seen supporting messages, inspiring posts & have spent time reading other people’s stories. Now, I feel it’s time to share my own. Honestly I’m terrified and more than slightly ashamed but I owe it to myself & to everyone else who has been brave enough to speak out. 

Confession time: I have depression & body dysmorphia. 

SB x LFW


Jumper: Simply Be // Shirt: New Look // Skirt: Simply Be // Bag: Mansur Gavriel // Trainers: Adidas

Acceptable In The 80's

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Playsuit: ASOS // Belt: ASOS // Bag: Mansur Gavriel // Trainers: Nike // Earrings: Topshop // Sunglasses: Fendi

26 Things I've Learned by 26

In case you weren't aware (& in that case, where have you been?), yesterday was my birthday. Since turning 18, I've never been a fan of birthdays as the reality of getting older has never sat well with me. Rather than wishing to be 30, flirty & thriving, I've been begging Peter Pan to pay me a visit since my Hogwarts letter failed to make an appearance. This probably has more to do with my vivid imagination as opposed to any burning desire to stay young & free from responsibility (or so I tell myself). This year my family took me out for brunch & my best friends organised a surprise birthday meal. Food with my absolute faves & a showering of gifts? Suddenly, turning 26 doesn't seem so bad.


Rather than set a list of goals to stress over, I figured I'd look back to better appreciate how far I've come. Also, because I just really enjoy reading other people's life lists.

So, without further ado, here's 26 things I've learned by 26:

  1. Sorry may be the hardest word but if you’re in the wrong, it’s definitely worth saying.Some things are more important than pride.
  2. Using leg wax strips for anything other than your legs is a mistake. A huge mistake. Unless you enjoy walking around like a crab...
  3. Never put off tomorrow what can be done today. Sure Netflix is great but trying to pack, book train tickets & clean your entire flat at 7am, on four hours sleep, isn’t fun for anyone.
  4. Food planning may be boring but it’ll save you spending a tenner a day in Tesco’s, which means more money for shoes.
  5. Don’t be a pussy. Seriously.
  6. Using a nail file is potentially the worst way to exfoliate your face. Trust me on this one.
  7. Over packing is always better than under packing. Sure, taking three suitcases on an overnight trip may seem excessive but while everyone else is second guessing their outfit choice, you’ll have your whole wardrobe on hand. Who’s the real winner?
  8. Pretending to like or hate things in order to appear cool is lame. Stan One Direction with pride, boo!
  9. Intersectional feminism is hella important, support your fellow peeps.
  10. You cannot teach people how to love you, you can only hope they try their best. Disappointment hurts but when you know, you know.
  11. Friends who do not support you are not your friends, they’re your frenemies. Obviously this doesn’t mean they have to agree with your decision to drunkenly text your ex, but it does mean they’ll be there for you when it inevitably goes tits up.
  12. Listen when people talk, don’t just wait for your turn.
  13. Go with your gut, especially if your gut wants McDonalds. But seriously, if something feels wrong, don’t do it.
  14. Be shameless, life is far too short to be embarrassed.
  15. When meeting celebrities, make sure you’ve put a memory card in your camera. Asking for a do-over is pretty damn awkward.
  16. Travelling to and from Teesside to London by coach, in less than 24 hours, on zero sleep will make you homicidal. Just book a train.
  17. You are never too old to be a princess.
  18. Logically, what’s the worst that could happen? Mentally assessing how you would deal with the absolute worst case scenario is a good way to deal with situational anxiety. You will survive & you will probably be better for it.
  19. Consistency is the key to success.
  20. Having your pants fall down in public never stops being hilarious. Especially, if you fall down with them.
  21. You will survive. Every knock, every heartache, every soul-crushing moment where you’re certain you can’t go on. You will.
  22. Mushrooms will always taste gross.
  23. It’s okay to ask for help. From a small task to something as important as your mental health, you do not have to struggle alone.
  24. Ignorance is not bliss, educate yourself, be open to new ideas and learn from your mistakes. You are never too old to learn.
  25. Longevity is not necessarily better than intensity. Friends you have known for decades may not be as great as those you’ve known for mere months.
  26. You will never regret spending money on experiences. Unless, the experience is an open top bus tour in London. Or an art museum in Amsterdam. Or a tour of the Bronte museum. Or really, any museum. Okay, scratch that. You may regret spending money on an experience but at least it’ll make for a funny story.

xxx

Wedding Belles

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Playsuit: Simply Be // Heels: Shoe Geeks // Bag: New Look // Earrings: H&M

Let's ignore the creases & wonky belt for a moment & pretend I didn't jump out of the car on the way to a wedding reception & force my little brother to take these. Ever the consummate blogging professional... but what can I say? Being on time is not my strong point.

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the wedding of my oldest friend and what an absolute delight it was. The venue had been transformed into a magical wonderland only upstaged by the beautiful bride herself, who looked absolutely stunning in a whimsical, off the shoulder gown. I must admit I got a tad emotional at the outpouring of love & it was truly an honour to be a part of their special day. Here's to a lifetime of happiness, I can't think of a more deserving pair.

Congratulations, Mr & Mrs Ayre!
xxx


Monochromatic

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Jacket: New Look // Dress: Primark // Trainers: Adidas // Belt: ASOS // Bag: Mansur Gavriel

How is it only Wednesday? Payday is still a whole 2 days away & I'm currently having biscuits for dinner. I need it to be Friday so I can live like a queen for just one day. That's not too much to ask, surely? Also, I appear to have run out of everything at once & I need to stock up on moisturiser before I turn into a giant crocodile scale. The struggle is real, folks.

I've had this dress approximately a hundred years but I just can't bear to let it go. Horizontal stripes are my favourite & there's nothing like saying a big 'fuck you' to bullshit fashion rules. Simone Mariposa recently started a Twitter movement embracing body positivity & the right to wear whatever the hell you want without explanation. With everything going on in the world, it blows my mind that people are still so concerned with something as inconsequential as what somebody is wearing. Do you & mind your damn business.

'Your approval isn't necessary.'
#WeWearWhatWeWant

Summer In The City

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Jacket: New Look // Dress: Dorothy Perkins // Sandals: Topshop // Sunglasses: Primark

I think it's safe to say, sweat has been this week's hottest accessory & I have been owning it. I'm certainly not one to complain about the appearance of Summer but perhaps as a country we should invest in a little more air-con? Especially on public transport as there's really only so much torture one person can take.

Not going to lie, my week of Summer started off well but by Wednesday I started to run out of Summer clothes, by Thursday, my make-up consisted of just eyebrows & by Friday, I'd given up altogether. How's about that one, Craig David? If unlike me, you're wanting to look cute & you're looking to extend the lifespan of your make-up in these beaut temperatures, may I suggest picking up L'Oréal's Infallible Fixing Mist. 10/10 would recommend (not even promoting this, it's genuinely that good).

Now rather than go out & enjoy the sunshine, I'm going to crawl into bed & watch Netflix until payday. I didn't choose the broke life, the broke life chose me.

Enjoy the sunshine, lads
xxx

Pink Lemonade

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Bomber: New Look // Longline T-Shirt: ASOS // Jeans: ASOS // Sandals: Topshop

Y'know when something looks bomb AF in your head but in reality you look like a mouldy potato? That would be this jacket. Imaginary me looked like a fabulous addition to the Pink Ladies, real me looks like I had a battle with a marshmallow and lost. On the upside, I've fallen in love with another pair of ASOS jeans so at least my legs will stay chic.

In more serious news, the atrocities in the world continue to horrify and astound me. After an incredible evening at the Leed's Black Lives Matter march, waking up to the news about Nice was heartbreaking. Thoughts and prayers will never be enough, but for most of us they're all we have. Stay safe, stay strong. We can't let hate win.

❤ ❤ ❤
xxx

Soccer Mom Realness

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Shirt: New Look // Jeans: ASOS // Boots: H! By Henry Holland

There's something about this outfit that makes me want to bake a bundt cake and jump in an RV. I feel as though a cooler person could give this look a laid back, L.A. vibe but here I am looking as though I'm about to ruin my kid's play by turning up drunk again. Sorry Timmy, Mamma's gotta have her juice!

Honestly, I didn't think I would ever get on the white jeans bandwagon but here I am, feeling like a beacon of summer and light. I revamped this outfit for a dress-down day at work & got a crazy amount of compliments. Whether that was due to people liking my outfit or just being shocked I'd actually put a modicum of effort into my appearance, I'll never know. But either way, shout out to my colleagues for increasing my towering ego.

I did have plans to take these babies to the seaside and give the donkeys a show but as is typical, the weekend arrives & the weather goes to shit. Looks like it's back to the black Rivingtons until the sun makes a reappearance.

Whatever the weather, have a fabulous weekend!
xxx

Sk8r Boi

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T-Shirt: River Island // Jeans: ASOS // Shirt: New Look // Trainers: Adidas

So, I'm currently listening to Avril Lavigne & lamenting over the woes of my life, as you do on a Tuesday. Life just seemed simpler when the biggest concern was deciding on the fittest member of Good Charlotte (fyi, it will always be Joel). I'm going to blame my burgeoning nostalgia for this outfit because I'm sure that's the only reason I thought tying a shirt around my waist would be a good idea. Someone needs to stop me before I bring back the checkerboard sweatbands, that's just not a good look for anyone.

Moving away from the rock star lifestyle, is it possible to fall in love with a pair of jeans? Because I'm pretty sure I've managed it with these bad boys. These ASOS Rivingtons are everything I've ever dreamed, high-waisted, skin-tight & long enough to bunch at the ankles. Excuse me while I go swoon into my trouser drawer. Between these & the dungarees, I may never wear anything else.


xxx

Don't Hurt Yourself

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Dungarees: New Look // T-Shirt: ASOS // Sandals: Topshop // Sunglasses: Karl Lagerfeld

If you see me this Summer, I apologise in advance for living in these dungarees; I've only owned them a week & I've already worn them 3 times. But, can you blame me? When given the option to dress like a giant toddler, anything else pales in comparison. Also, the endless amount of pockets make them functional as well as adorable. Win/Win!

Side note: Whilst wearing this, a barman told me I was serving Susie Carmichael vibes. Considering Susie is the superior Rugrat, I chose to take it as a compliment.


xxx

Sky's Out, Thighs Out

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Body: Dorothy Perkins // Shorts: ASOS // Belt: ASOS // Jacket: New Look // Trainers: Converse

Oh hai, just me again. Casually strolling in as if a year hasn't gone by...
What can I say? I'm just not ready to let go.

Yesterday, & the day before, it was hot as balls outside. Considering I'm sat indoors while it pours down, I'm not going to get ahead of myself & proclaim it Summer just yet, but I think it's safe to say it's on the way. Summer to me means shorts, sunglasses & sandals (see also: Spring, Autumn & Winter. I have no shame). Admittedly, the length of the shorts has varied but overall, when it comes to flashing a bit of leg, I'm 100% on board. Annoyingly, the same can't be said about a whole host of other garments, including vests.

Watching Meghan Tonjes's video earlier brought back memories of Summers spent sweltering under several layers to avoid getting my arms out, times where it became so unbearable, the possibility of passing out seemed less terrifying than just pulling off a cardigan. Since starting this blog in 2009, I've managed to create a world with minimal bullshit. From what I immerse myself in online, to my friends and family, I'm lucky enough to be surrounded by like-minded, educated individuals. So, it's always a sharp slap to the face when I'm reminded that life just ain't like this! I wore short dungarees yesterday & I'd taken all of 5 steps out of my house before some idiot yelled something at me. While searching for a fuck to give, I wondered when does existing as a fat woman stop being political? I mean, I looked damn cute & the day I take fashion advice from a grown ass man in a tracksuit, is the day hell freezes over, but it still blows my mind that fools never learn to mind their damn business.

As long as Summer is here (hell, even when it's not), I'm gonna continue to do me & if that means wearing shorts or showing my arms then so be it. If you don't like it, you can suck my balls. To quote Beyoncé, I ain't sorry.

"I'm not here to make people comfortable & I'm not here to be uncomfortable."
xxx