tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77380066741135405402024-03-28T14:30:50.375+00:00Life At Victoria HouseA combination of thoughts from homeLife At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.comBlogger422125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-39368837629544864932019-09-29T21:05:00.003+01:002021-03-23T23:45:28.466+00:00Why I've stopped posting fashion content...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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About 6 months ago I made the decision to stop going out to shoot any fashion content for my blog and Instagram. Now don't think that the title of this blog post now means that I hate nice clothes, or am unfollowing anyone who is posting fashion related content...because that's just not the case. I am however choosing to not post anything purely fashion-related on my own channels anymore, and it's all a bit complicated.<br />
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I realised recently that I have had my blog for 10 years - which is quite an incredible thing to compute. I'm only 27 so for a large percentage of my life Clashing Time has existed online and I'm super proud of it. Although I haven't been consistent in my posting, I've always taken great comfort in knowing that my blog was there whenever I wanted it. Ready to be picked back up again as soon as I felt inspired. When I started out I was sharing (embarrassing) posts about fashion and beauty from the comfort of my mum's house, which then developed to meeting other lovely bloggers and joining forces to be each other's photographers. I used to wait in anticipation for the weekends shooting with my blogger friends, getting all dressed up and heading to the streets of Cambridge or London for an afternoon. I'd buy clothes especially because I knew they'd look good 'for the gram' and would spend hours searching online for looks that I thought could create good engagement.<br />
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Those days, in all honesty, were my blogging heydey. There weren't that many bloggers around so it felt like a very different space and I was excited to try and compete. Whereas these days my feelings on my personal style and fashion content online have changed quite a bit...<br />
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I have always loved putting outfits together and finding looks to suit my shape, so that aspect of fashion is never going to go away. Yet these days my fashion sense is less about catching the latest trend, and more about finding affordable pieces that will work in lots of different ways. For example, my work dress code is a combination of smart casual, meaning that I can't exactly rock up mimicking the look of a Topshop mannequin, but there is some flexibility over what is deemed acceptable. I tend to try and find items that will work well in many situations: sat at my desk and in meetings, after-work activities, and also on the weekend. In reality it's a bit of a hard challenge, however, it basically means that I make myself buy fewer new things if I can't make them work for multiple situations.<br />
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With the way that fashion imagery through blogging/Instagramming has evolved, it became apparent to me that my new mentality to shopping doesn't really work alongside it. Creators, quite rightly so, are paid to promote the latest looks, to demonstrate how you could look if you had the money to imitate their photos...even if it's not actually a look that they like or an item that they would choose to buy themselves. You only have to look at the Depop pages of some of my favourite style inspirations to realise that they have worn an item of clothing that you thought was a 'must-have' only once, and then they are selling it to a new owner. Now, this is not at all a dig at 'influencers' or any creators online, because I totally get that they have to make a living. However, I feel like I don't buy into the idea that you're only noteworthy if you have the latest 'it' item and share a snap of you in it on your feed. My sense of style should not be dictated to by an ever-increasing number of influences, and instead, I should allow my image to be a little more natural than that. So although I'm not exactly the style icon on the century, I've decided that I don't want to take part in potentially making anyone else feel bad if they look different to what Instagram is deeming 'the norm'. Let yourself find your own inspiration, in a way that makes you feel good about yourself and confident that you're expressing your true self.<br />
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There are some really awesome people that I follow online who I feel have shared a great message around fashion, so please do take some time to follow these women:<br />
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- Hannah from <a href="https://www.instagram.com/enbrogue" target="_blank">EnBrogue</a>, a sustainable fashion content creator who is on a year-long mission to not buy anything new from the highstreet<br />
- <a href="http://www.instagram.com/EstherRuthWyse" target="_blank">EstherRuthWyse</a>, who although does share fashion content, she mixes it in with real-life chat and makes you feel like she's just a normal girl who happens to look nice in her cute looks<br />
- <a href="http://www.instagram.com/WishWishWish" target="_blank">WishWishWish</a>, who shares the most beautiful photography of her life and travels, with some vintage style quirky outfits included - but it's a mix of new and old items, and not always the latest trends<br />
- <a href="http://www.instagram.com/VixMeldrew" target="_blank">Vix Meldrew</a>, a creator coach who has openly discussed her mixed feelings about promoting clothing items to her audience and how it doesn't allow for inclusion for all shapes and sizes<br />
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I'm very sure I could go on and on, but you get my point. If there are other people doing fashion content well, and I've got a bit of an icky feeling about it, then I'd rather leave it to the pros and focus on sharing photos of things that I care more about!<br />
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It feels pretty damn good to be back.<br />
Clashing Time.<br />
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NB - This post has focused primarily on being influenced, however, I do want to flag that there are a number of other reasons why I've moved away from sharing fashion photos, but this is definitely the big one for me that was pressing on my mind. A few other examples include having a bit of a life shift with a house move and job change, my money being prioritised elsewhere, and also a growing education about the environmental impact of the high street. But maybe I'll delve into those at a later date...Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-71593860835197485092019-07-18T21:19:00.004+01:002019-07-18T21:22:02.616+01:00How to survive your first big festival<div class="p1">
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It’s hard to believe that I’ve been home from the sweaty, dusty fields of Glastonbury for a few weeks now. The time since I’ve been home has had me in a crazy haze of exhaustion and confusion as I’ve been adjusting to the realities of life again back at work.</div>
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<span class="s1">Glastonbury 2019 was my first big festival for years. My previous experiences of camping in the great outdoors and watching music from awesome bands happened through pretty innocent trips to V Festival or more localised events with parents and friends. It’s safe to say that exploring the crowds of Glastonbury bears no real comparison to anything I’ve experienced before. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">So let’s take it back a bit. Why did I go to Glastonbury? Well, my boyfriend and his friends have been a few times before and insisted that it was something that I should try at least once. ‘We guarantee you’ll want to go back again’, ‘you might love hot showers and your own bed, but it’s an awesome experience that you should try at least once’, ‘what’s the worst that could happen?'…and many other phrases came out of their mouths in the run-up to buying our tickets, so I knew that there was no real way of me getting out of it. After some persuasion from them all, I thought I’d just chuck myself in at the deep end and head to the fields of Worthy Farm. But how did I</span><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"> survive?</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Pack sensibly </b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">If you’ve never been to the festival before then you won’t know what the queuing system is going to be like once you get out of your transport to when you eventually touch down at your campsite. If your festival is anything like Glastonbury then there will be loads of different campsites across a huge space of land, and you will be lugging your crap the whole way there. No one is there to help you as what you put on your back is for you to sort out! You might think that it is worthwhile bringing 3 extra pairs of shorts, or some extra crazy outfits as ‘you never know if you might need them’ - but I’m telling you, you’ll thank yourself for being more sensible with your packing when you’re stood in a queue for 2 and a bit hours with an insanely large travelling backpack weighing you down. PLUS, don’t forget that anything you bring with you, you have to take back home again, so you’ll be doing that trek twice over!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Bring all the medicine</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">As much as I am saying to not overpack because you’ll have to carry it, my second piece of advice is to bring all types of medicine that you think you might need. There is normally a pharmacy on site at every festival, so you can go and buy the basics like paracetamol or plasters etc., but anything that might be a little more out of the ordinary then you should bring it along. For example, some people suffer from way worse hangovers than others and have secret tricks that they know will help them to get through the day. Alternatively, you might find that you suddenly get sore eyes or hayfever-like symptoms from all of the dust being flown around. Or, I found that a LOT of people told me that because their routine was out of whack, they were having a few tummy/toilet issues, and were having to ask around for a tablet to help sort that issue out...So get yourself prepared with anything you think might make your trip a little more comfortable.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Listen to the pros when it comes to the toilets</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Toilet talk will become a big topic of conversation whilst you’re at a festival. You might think you’re prepared for the delightful long drops or compost loos, but I’m telling you that you’re probably not. Try to go in with very low expectations and then you’ll be pleasantly surprised with anything you encounter whilst you’re away at a festival. The old-timers will have the knowledge on where the best ones are (especially if you can sneak into any VIP ones), what the queue times are like, when you should leave an act to nip off to the toilet…and many more key bits of information which will help you get through. It really is an eye-opener to people’s views on the standard to leave a cubicle in after they’ve used it (FYI normally not good), but if your bag is filled with toilet rolls, hand sanitiser and maybe even some wet wipes - then you’ll be good to go.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Bring your own breakfast snacks</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">It will be incredibly tempting to go and buy a greasy bacon bap after a boozy night out, however, your bank balance will thank you for bringing your own snacks. Sometimes rolling out of your sleeping bag and knowing that there is a selection of breakfast bars an arms reach away will fill you with joy as your stomach growls and moans with hunger. We brought a load of McVities breakfast biscuits for the morning and even took some around with us for snacks during the day to keep us tied over. Absolute life saver!</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Try to keep to a budget</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Once you’ve paid for your ticket, your travel and your essential camping kit, festivals can either be as expensive or as cheap as you’d like. Yes, there are food stalls wherever you look, enticing you to pay £9 for a small box of noodles, or doughnut stands charging what seems like a bargain for 2 sweet snacks at 2am…but you’ll run out of money very quickly if you don’t have your wits about you. My boyfriend and I went with £500 to share across the 5 and a half days at Glastonbury (as we wanted to bring more than we’d need for emergencies) and we were delighted when we came back with just shy of £100. Each of us spending £200 works out at £40 spending money a day on lunch and dinner (normally up to £10 for each), £5 on anything quirky from the numerous clothing or accessories stands, and £15 on any extra drinks you want to get. It is a lot of money, and more than I’d spend back home, but once you’re away from your tent, you won’t want to be going back over and over again to get things, so spending whilst you’re out will enhance your experience.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Bring a refillable water bottle (or two)</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">If it is hot, you will be drinking a lot of water throughout the day. With many festivals nowadays trying to reduce their plastic usage, it means they will more likely give you a can of water instead of a bottle, and I found that a lot of the food stalls were running out of cold cans pretty early on in the day. A refillable bottle can be chucked in your bag and filled up at any of the water stops throughout the grounds (where you will probably spend a lot of your time). We ended up bringing three refillable bottles between us and filled up any that were low on water whenever we could so we had backups if you were in the middle of a crowd.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Get yourself a good sized day bag</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">For a girl, the fashion at a festival is to have a cute multicoloured or glittery bum bag to wear round your waist. However as much as they look good, they are completely impractical (especially if you’re a nervous festival-goer). I get dehydrated very quickly, can go from hot to cold in the blink of an eye, want to bring extra toilet rolls in case of emergencies, get sunburnt quite quickly if I’m not updating my lotion regularly, and basically need to be prepared for anything that hits me whilst I’m away from the tent. So having a good sized bag to keep all my stuff in during the day was crucial for surviving. It might sound a bit excessive to some, but when your tent is a 30-40 minute walk from the stage you are at, and you’re beginning to get a bit chilly, you’ll be so grateful to yourself for packing that jumper.</span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>Know when it is time to leave</b></span></div>
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<span class="s1">Now I’ve done Glastonbury once, I know that 5 and a half days was maybe one day too many. Not because I wasn’t enjoying it, but more because I felt sticky, sweaty and smelly and wanted to go home to wash away my sins. When you’re organising your travel for the trip, you’ll be able to designate the day and time you want to head back (if you’re getting a coach), and I would 100% recommend you think long and hard about this decision. In the end, I’m glad we stayed out till the end, however, we managed to organise that we’d get a lift back with a friend at 6am in the morning, which meant we were back in London by lunchtime. If you can buddy up with people rather than using the coaches then I’d thoroughly recommend you do that - as it took about 3 hours off of our total time to get home. Next time we go I’ve offered to drive, and I know they’ll be jumping in with us to return the favour! </span></div>
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<span class="s1">I don’t mean to make festival life sound like total doom and gloom, but if you’re feeling nervous about attending a festival because of any of the above (like I was), then just know that it’s all completely manageable if you get yourself prepped. I am SO glad that I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and went to a festival that I never thought I’d attend. Now I’ve got through the awkward first time, I know I'll be able to enjoy it even more than I did this time by listening to my own advice on how to survive it all!</span></div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-20528952645145530802019-06-18T20:42:00.000+01:002019-06-18T20:43:29.512+01:00Ten things to do in your first month at a new job<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Back in January, I wrote a very real post about the fact that near the end of 2018 I was made <a href="http://www.clashingtime.co.uk/2019/01/so-i-got-made-redundant.html" target="_blank">redundant</a>. It was a pretty big shock to the system but also a great opportunity to move on to something new and exciting. However, the idea of moving to a new role is pretty terrifying when you're feeling a little rejected. So one Sunday afternoon when I was sat at the dinner table with my family I asked the question 'what things do you think you should do in your first month at a new job to help you settle in a bit more?' and I was amazed at how many different responses came up that I'd never thought of. So if you're starting a new role then take 5 minutes to read through my top 10 things you should give a try:<br />
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<b>1. Ask for a desk plan or make your own one (where possible)</b><br />
Within your first month, you will meet so many people in your office and you are never going to remember all of their names, even if you have a great memory. You can't expect everyone to wear name badges all day every day, so you have a responsibility to be proactive and know who the names of the people you need to talk to.<br />
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<b>2. Learn how to make a good cup of tea and coffee.</b><br />
I know we are in 2019 and people are very capable of making their own hot drinks; however, getting someone a cup when you begin is a great way to connect with people. Sometimes people will feel bad and will come with you to the kitchen to make their own drink (which is a great chance to get chatting), or if you've made someone a drink then they will think of you when they are making their next one. Either way, it's a nice thing to do and it definitely helps your office credit to be known as the maker of a great brew.<br />
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<b>3. Write a note of how you're spending your time</b><br />
Probationary periods can range between a month to around 6 months (depending on your title) and you are bound to cover a lot during that time. Yet any good manager will want to check in with you within the first few months to see how you're getting on. So I think it's really useful if you have a brief document listing some of the tasks that have been asked of you, and also anything that you have proactively come up with. Then when they ask you what you've been doing you've got a list<br />
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<b>4. Introduce yourself to senior colleagues </b><br />
Speaking to people who are older and more senior than you can be incredibly daunting and not a very enjoyable experience if they aren't very receptive to your introduction. However, there are so many studies that state the number of CEO's and executive leaders who think it is really impressive and shows great confidence if someone new makes an effort to introduce themselves. If the people in power remember who you are then it is only going to stand you in good stead when you could be useful to them in the future.<br />
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<b>5. Volunteer for any committees available </b><br />
Some companies are really good and have a number of internal groups in place to help organise some of the non-work related activities. It could be anything from a social committee who plan the monthly drinks, or a volunteering and charity committee who sort out your team bonding days off-site. Joining these committees look great to anyone above you as you're putting yourself out there to benefit other people in the company, whilst also giving you an easy opportunity to meet new people and make a name for yourself.<br />
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<b>6. Try not to be late</b><br />
Sometimes it is unavoidable and you'd hope that people would be understanding if your train was cancelled or your pipes burst at home. However, if it's possible then set that alarm a little bit earlier, grab a cup of tea on the way in, and make it a bit more leisurely. I found that it actually helped to cure any morning anxieties about the day ahead, and I felt proud of myself for walking in and sitting down at my desk with 5 minutes to spare (especially as I'm a typically late person).<br />
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<b>7. Try and define success with your manager</b><br />
Often a manager will have an idea of when they'd like to assess your work and how you're getting on, however, they aren't always vocal about that unless you ask. Within the first month, I think it can be very positive to ask your line manager when they think they would want to define the success criteria expected of you in the role. Probationary periods tend to last anything between one to three months, so you might as well be working towards something rather than just hoping that what you're doing is good enough to be seen as useful.<br />
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<b>8. Prioritise your sleep</b><br />
This might seem like a super obvious thing to say, but when I was younger I used to take my sleep for granted! I'd be out all the time, surviving on 6 hours sleep and rocking up at work the next day fresh as a daisy. But in your first month at work, you are physically and mentally exhausted from the long days and overload of information, so you need to understand that you will never be as productive as you'd like to be if you're lacking in the sleep department. A good 8 + hours a night during that first month will 100% help to put you in the best position for taking in information and meeting new people.<br />
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<b>9. Find networks in your industry</b><br />
It shows great initiative to seek out opportunities outside of your workplace to network with other people in your industry. It not only makes you look like you're demonstrating initiative, but it's also really good for you to understand about life outside of your company. Networking groups tend to create events or workshops that are useful from a career point of view, but also fun and more lighthearted than anything your organisation might put on. Well worth checking out LinkedIn or MeetUp for anything that could be good to attend.<br />
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<b>10. </b><b>Be gentle with yourself</b><b><br /></b><br />
It's really easy to go full steam ahead when you start somewhere new. You're incredibly keen to impress everyone, be liked, and do well at the jobs asked of you as well - which is quite frankly, exhausting. Everyone needs a reality check here, as more times than not, it is impossible to achieve all of that throughout your first month. You will do things wrong, you will ask stupid questions, and you will have people who don't treat you how you deserve. The main thing you can control in any of those situations is your own reaction to it, so be gentle with yourself. After all, tomorrow is a new day, and if you like the organisation you're in, then you'll have the opportunity to shine for years to come.Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-41651967157808629802019-03-01T16:39:00.000+00:002019-04-25T19:53:47.444+01:00The affordable midi skirt i'm wearing this season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I never used to be a midi skirt person because I genuinely thought they were the kind of thing my grandma would have worn. Despite seeing them everywhere in magazines and on Instagram, it took me quite a long time to see them as something that I could potentially look good in. I thought that only models over 5ft9 would be the type of people to suit this type of skirt so I am genuinely shocked that a few months later I'm being photographed showing how I've been wearing it. But then one day I was browsing through <a href="https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/ladies/shop-by-product/skirts/midi-skirts.html?sort=stock&image-size=small&image=model&offset=0&page-size=72">H&M</a> on my lunch break and I stumbled across this <a href="https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0652731001.html">printed calf-length pleated skirt</a> and I thought I'd push myself out of my comfort zone and buy it to see if I could feel comfortable in it. Very much to my surprise, I put it on and instantly felt pretty damn good in it. I started swishing around my bedroom feeling a bit like a princess and am now constantly on the lookout for more midi-skirts to add to my collection. The thing I love about this particular skirt is that even though it is a subtle animal print, it is quite understated and doesn't look like I'm making a huge effort with my look. In this outfit, I've paired it with some Primark boots and my fave slouchy H&M jumper and I feel confident yet in it works for a casual weekend look. </div>
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I'm trying really hard to be a bit more responsible with my shopping recently as I want to buy fewer trend items and instead get more clothes that work well for work and for evenings and weekends. This skirt is one that fits perfectly into that category as during the day I've been matching it with a white blouse or shirt, at the weekend I've been dressing it down with t-shirts and jumpers, and then I've been dressing it up with a black tight body or a crop top for the evenings. It is so versatile! What do you think?</div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-5992342384140216862019-02-22T12:44:00.001+00:002019-04-25T19:26:00.725+01:00That white Instagram post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Today I shared a white square on my Instagram and the response has been pretty impressive, so thought i'd share my thoughts behind it here too! I know it might seem a little odd to only post a white square on my Instagram, but in some ways it represents closing the door on 2018 and looking forward to 2019. Putting a gap between my old content and looking forward to the new. I haven't posted since the 4th November and I can't believe that we're now almost in March. It's crazy how much time has gone by since I even thought about posting anything on here. I guess that says quite a lot about my attitude shift when it comes to Instagram for promoting my blog - especially as I've turned the notifications off on here too. </div>
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On my personal account I have unfollowed all celebs, influencers and basically anyone I don't know (minus the pet accounts which are just too damn cute to delete) and it's been so refreshing. I'm posting more regularly and not caring as much about how I or my feed looks, it's just way more natural. On this account everything is more curated and planned out, and it's bloody exhausting. I'm sure i'm not the only one to think this! </div>
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After a break away from it all for a few months, I've come back and have been surprised at how much more I like scrolling through the more heavily produced content from other people I follow. I don't necessarily relate to what they are posting, but it's not causing me any harm to view it. I guess the lesson I've learnt is that if I want to share images on here, then it needs to be more aligned with what is true to my life, and not just posting things because I think that is what is expected of someone who is interested in fashion/has a blog! I have so much going on and could definitely get this account back up and running, but I need to remember that social media should be fun and not stressful.</div>
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If you want to give my account a follow to see what next steps i'll take then head on over to <a href="http://www.instagram.com/ClashingTime_">@ClashingTime_</a></div>
Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-33416542297247989362019-02-01T09:35:00.001+00:002019-04-25T19:24:11.613+01:00Time to be a bit more realistic<div class="p1">
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<span class="s1">With a new year always comes hopes and dreams of becoming a ‘new’ person for some. As if I’m going to start being on time to things or join a gym, although I think we all know that I’m probably not going to do those things. But one thing has been rolling around in my brain for a little while and that’s about all the things I’m not reading, viewing, posting, listening to etc. It could be a podcast that I’ve had on my iPhone for months but I’ve never listened to one episode because whenever I have the opportunity to listen to a podcast I always go to my favourites. Or alternatively, it could be that someone recommended a great show to me ages ago and I never got round to it but i've been beating myself about not watching it for months.</span></div>
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<span class="s1">Now I’m all for opening yourself up to new things an broadening your horizons, but have you ever heard of the old saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’? I’m a bit of a creature of habit so I kind of feel like until the things I’m doing go drastically wrong or I get bored, then maybe I need to be a bit more realistic about what’s achievable. One thing I bang on about it how there just isn’t enough time to do everything, but despite preaching to the choir, I still try to achieve more than possible. </span></div>
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<span class="s1">So today, I am unsubscribing to a hell of a lot of podcasts, I am unsubscribing from the newsletters that I forever say I’m going to read and then never get round to when they pop up, I am unfollowing those YouTubers who I never watch when they upload because I know I’m going to go to my favourites every time. Then I'm going to cull anything else that I feel inspired to get rid of. WHAT FREEDOM. How much more fulfilling could it be if I didn't feel overwhelmed by all the many things I could be consuming? Well, I am bloody excited to find out.</span><br />
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It's not at all to do with the fact that I don't want to have all of these things, it's just that it seriously isn't possible. There is just too much stuff out there! So I feel like I just need to have a pretty stern chat with myself about not over committing and then telling myself off about it afterwards. If someone says ‘have you listened to x?’ I should be able to just say ‘no I haven’t, would you recommend it?’ and listening to that one thing rather than going home straight away to consume their recommendation and more. I’m not a ‘failure’ for not having a spare 10 hours a week to listen to all the extra podcasts. I’m certainly not a ‘failure’ for not reading the many Marketing Week emails that come through in the morning. And if anything I’m the opposite of a ‘failure’ for putting a bit more realism in to my day and for doing some Marie Kondo-ing on my life.</div>
Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com0London, UK51.5073509 -0.1277582999999822351.1912379 -0.77320529999998222 51.8234639 0.51768870000001777tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-4177268890327892092019-01-22T20:49:00.001+00:002019-04-25T19:24:19.328+01:00So I got made redundant...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Heads up...this isn't an inspirational post, this is real life honesty at it's finest.<br />
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This all feels a bit strange to me as I never really thought i'd be talking about redundancy at the age of 26. I don't know about you but I tend to think of redundancy as being something that happens to older people in an organisation when the big bosses at the top are squeezing out some employees who aren't as up to date with the latest skills and technologies. I might be incredibly off the mark there, but whenever I hear about people being made redundant it always seems to be so and so's dad or whats her face's aunty, it never seems to be your younger friend.<br />
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Two months ago I turned up to work, was taken in to a room and then they said it..."We are doing a restructure within the organisation and unfortunately your role is no longer needed within our new team". Boom. Decision made. Deal with it. Or in simpler terms, "You've been great and all, but you're no longer needed here as you're less valuable to us than joe blogs who sits next to you". It's a bizarre thing to hear (especially after only 5 months being in a company) and that's because when you have a job, you don't think about the concept of leaving that role unless you're deciding to do so. You tend to assume that you'll get up, go to work, come home, sleep and then do it all over again, until a time comes that you don't want to be at that company anymore. So when the option was taken away from me two months ago, it's safe to say that I felt a little lost.<br />
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I've been working for 10 years ever since my part time job in retail at 16 and I've always loved feeling useful, being in an office, and getting that pay slip at the end of each month, so suddenly having some forced time off felt pretty weird to me. I'm not going to sit here and say that it wasn't nice to have a few days where I didn't have to get out of bed and go to work, but equally the novelty ran out pretty damn quickly. I did manage to keep myself busy for a short while by pottering around London, watching Netflix, organising some cupboards and generally bumbling around the house not really knowing what to do with myself. However one day I realised that I was really not feeling myself, and I didn't know how to entertain myself anymore.<br />
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The feeling can only be explained as being glum. Not really a word used very often, but Google tells me it means 'looking or feeling dejected'. Downcast, downhearted, discouraged, dispirited...the list goes on. I genuinely lost my sense of purpose completely. I felt like control had disappeared and I didn't know how to regain it. So it is safe to say I needed some serious support from the people around me.<br />
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I reached out to my nearest and dearest and thank goodness I had them to reassure me that my time away from work was only temporary and it is completely okay to not know what to do with myself for that short time. I have been really fortunate as I managed to get a new job lined up to start in the New Year, but for some reason that day seemed so far away. What saved me was being told to write down some goals. I set myself targets for things to achieve daily, weekly and over the whole period of time off. I really tried to get my life in gear and ready to kick start the new year with a bang.<br />
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I don't really have a conclusion to this post because at the time, I genuinely felt down. However now I am a week and a half in to my new role and that 'dejected' sensation feels like such a long time ago. I guess all I can say is that no matter how awful something feels at the time, it has the opportunity to pass if you let it.Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-54533289852019126312018-11-12T09:48:00.000+00:002019-04-25T19:24:39.143+01:00Scrolling is making us unhappy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week I've been trying to catch up on all my favourite YouTubers. I don't watch live TV very often, so my spare time is either spent checking out a show that someone has recommended or watching YouTube (normally more the latter). I love how raw a 20 minute clip of someones week can be, showing the reality of their life when they have to go and do the weekly shop, take the dog for a walk, or go to a work event. It's the stuff that they think is tediously boring, but to me it's refreshing and relatable. It demonstrates that we really aren't all that different, despite living different lives.<br />
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One thing that seems to have been a very common theme in many of the vlogs I've watched this week has been comparison. But not just any old comparison, but comparison that has formed from scrolling. Scrolling through Twitter, through Instagram, and through looking at thumbnails of other creators work. I get it, if you're a content creator as a full time job, it must be impossible to not constantly look at what other people are doing and either wish you were doing the same, or feel bad about yourself that you haven't achieved x, y and z. However, I'm not a full time content creator and I feel the same.<br />
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I've been feeling quite bored recently during 9-5 so I've been escaping to the world of social media every so often to fill some time. Only now that I've listened to other people vlog their feelings about their social media comparison issues has it hit me that I am my own worst enemy.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>So then I decided to google 'Social Media Anxiety' and low and behold an article on the Independent was only published last week (8th Nov) on the '<a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/health-and-families/social-media-mental-health-negative-effects-depression-anxiety-addiction-memory-a8307196.html">Six ways that social media negatively affects your mental health</a>'. Now i'm not implying that I never knew the detrimental effects of social media, I wasn't born yesterday. However when I was reading the fact that the average Brit checks their phone 28 times a day, I realised that I 100% check my phone MORE times than that, and that's bloody terrifying.<br />
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If we do the maths, I am bored + I check my phone = I feel bad about myself after scrolling mindlessly. Well then take out the distraction of my phone and scrolling and SURELY I have a better chance of feeling better about myself? A few months ago I turned off my notifications and then I realised it was pointless because I was checking it anyway when I had too much free time, but this time I feel differently. It's like i've had an epiphany about how I want to feel about myself, and how I can try to achieve that - even just on a trial basis.<br />
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So today, I have grouped all my social media apps together in to one folder on my phone, I've turned off the notifications for all of them, and I've moved the folder to the second page of my apps. I've also moved a different app in to the exact spot where I used to click on my social media. There's evidence to suggest that your fingers will sometimes go and automatically click on the apps you're so used to scrolling through without even thinking because you're so used to doing it. So I've decided to replace my most commonly clicked links with an app called '<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/unique-daily-affirmations/id418693319?mt=8">Affirmations</a>' (recommended to me by another blogger called <a href="https://twitter.com/mollieblog?lang=en">Mollie</a>). Each day it shares a new affirmation with you that will make you feel better about yourself and I quite like the fact that my silly brain might think it's clicking on Instagram and instead it's getting a motivational piece of advice.<br />
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Scrolling has wasted so much of my time and I've just decided that i'm a little bit done with it. As I say, I am my own worst enemy as I bring this mental pain on myself and there are definitely steps I can take to prevent that happening. I may write an update in a month or so to let you know how i'm getting on, but hopefully this new change becomes so natural to me that I don't need to think about it anymore.<br />
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Have you tried something similar? Let me know by either commenting below or tweeting me on <a href="http://www.twitter.com/clashingtime_">@ClashingTime_</a>. I'd love to hear your thoughts!Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-60236736640665444992018-10-25T20:29:00.000+01:002019-04-25T19:25:08.941+01:00Why travel is always a good idea <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I really love London, I always have done. Moving to work here has been one of the best decisions I've ever made - but sometimes it's bloody good to leave. I've had some amazing experiences since I've moved from Cambridge over two years ago and I genuinely feel grateful all the time that I get to be here. The only issue with it is that there is SO much to do that you end up feeling a bit overwhelmed from time to time and need to escape for a little while to reset your batteries in order to be able to cope with it all. I know that this must sound like serious 'first world problems' as I do 100% recognise how fortunate I am to spend my time in one of the most amazing cities in the world, but at the same time I want to take a moment to explore why sometimes it can be a great thing to escape.</div>
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A few months ago I spotted a journalist I follow on social media asking people to contribute to an article she was writing <span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">titled 'How travelling can impact our mental health'</span>. Unbelievably, I was fortunate enough to have a few paragraphs in the article in Stylist Magazine, and when I was writing the email over to her it really got me thinking about how true it is. I don't travel that often but when I do it means so much to me and I feel so much more gratitude for it because it's been a while since my last trip. Below is a snippet from my space in the article so I hope you like it!</div>
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<b>"Travel helps me restore my faith in myself"</b></h3>
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London can be an incredibly overwhelming place to live, so it’s refreshing to escape from the city, even if you don’t travel to another country. You can leave your London worries behind and go off to discover new cities, foods, views and new people. It can be a great reminder that sometimes the dramas of London are very trivial, and actually the most important things in life are very simple.</div>
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It’s also amazing to explore new places and expand your global knowledge. When you get on a plane and fly off to a new location, you are opening yourself up to a whole variety of opportunities. Whether you follow all the tourist-y suggestions, or go off-piste and try to find new places to visit, it is all one big adventure for a couple of days.</div>
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On the whole, travel makes you feel alive. You’re transported to a new location, which can really help you to get out of your mind for a little while. Travel allows you to be overwhelmed with new delights - sights, sounds, smells, etc. I work in the city, but try to book as many little trips as I can afford throughout the year as it is so rewarding to take yourself off to ‘find yourself’ somewhere new (as cliché as that sounds).</div>
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Taking care of your mental wellbeing is crucial in an age of comparison and self-doubt, so if you can, put the essentials in a bag and run off to a different place. It can help to restore your faith in yourself, even if just for a few days.</div>
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My next trip might be over Christmas and i'm getting so excited looking at flights and hotel reviews. When you're feeling a bit stuck, a little trip away could be all you need to reset the balance and help you to see life differently. Fingers crossed this trip goes ahead as i'm already feeling so good about the potential for exploring new lands! How do you feel about travelling? Let me know in the comments below.</div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-87000762094900573612018-08-22T18:07:00.001+01:002019-04-25T19:25:13.290+01:00Why I set up LDN Laptop Club<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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As I'm sure you've noticed, I've been a pretty bad blogger recently. Ever since I moved to work in London two years ago, I've found it harder and harder to find the time to blog. Now I really don't want to be one of those people who says 'I'm so busy' 24/7 (as we all know that's boring to listen to), but it can be hard to motivate yourself to use any spare time you do have to actually put your thoughts down. After asking around, I realised that I am not the only one who has this issue, so I tried to work out how we can alleviate the problem. Then a few months ago I found a solution! I don't know about you, but I personally think it is way more fun to do things with other people around, so I decided to set up a monthly group to meet up and write blog posts at the same time. </div>
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Every month 2 or 3 people come along, buy a cup of tea or coffee (and maybe a slice of cake), and get their laptops out to blog or work on a creative project. We chat about our lives, work and blogs, and come up with ideas for what each of us could write about. Sometimes your passion is there, but writers block has got in the way and you just don't know how to begin starting your post - so it's amazing to have friendly faces around who can help you to see some direction. </div>
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<a href="https://twitter.com/ldnlaptopclub">LDN Laptop Club</a> began earlier in the year when I was feeling especially uninspired and I'm so pleased that it's still running now. I've met some incredible people, (who I now hang out with outside of the club) and actually started to blog! Yes, it may only be once or twice a month, but it is a hell of a lot more than I would be if I was left to do it on my own. Every single time I leave laptop club I feel fulfilled, like the pressure of blogging has diminished and I feel like I can tackle it head on. I look forward to attending and seeing people who have felt exactly the same as me, and I like the idea that I can go along and no one judge me that I've not even looked at my blog since the last time we met.</div>
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The next club is tomorrow (23rd August) and then the following ones are 26th Sept, 25th Oct, 29th Nov and 20th Dec (which may be a Christmas do). So if you are in London and you have ever struggled with the same feeling as me and want to meet some new faces, then let me know! If you're not from London, then why not set up your own laptop club in your area? All you need is Twitter to find people and a lovely location that stays open late!</div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-75692711709462042442018-06-29T17:01:00.000+01:002019-02-22T12:46:33.476+00:00Eight reasons why everyone should be watching Queer Eye <div style="text-align: center;">
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I don't watch TV shows religiously and I'm not the kind of person to stay in to watch something I love, so Netflix and catch up is absolutely perfect for me - especially on the go. I normally tend to watch one thing consistently until I finish a series, and then move on to something new after a recommendation from a friend. Netflix gives me the opportunity to watch things as and when I choose, and I love the flexibility it offers me. With my latest addiction I am ashamed that I am so late to the game as I genuinely don't know how on earth I missed watching it for so long! So let me introduce you to a show that pretty much everyone has been talking about over the last few months...</div>
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<b><b>Queer Eye</b> is a Netflix original series which is 'more than a makeover' show. Each episode shows the "Fab Five" advise men (and sometimes women) on fashion, grooming, food, culture and design in order to try and give them a new lust for life and help them achieve their life goals. It might sound like a bit of a silly show with a simple concept, but actually it goes so much deeper than the superficial. It looks at how people can get stuck in a rut and often they can't get out of it without a little bit of help - which is where the fab five come in. Here are my eight reasons why you should start watch Queer Eye right away.</b></div>
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1. It's a show that celebrates homosexuality and emphasises that people who are not heterosexual are no different from anyone else. Although the show highlights some of the prejudice that they have felt during their lives, they also discuss how they always come out fighting. There's no doubt that there are still issues throughout the world with people disagreeing with homosexuality, but I think shows like this are fantastic at opening the minds of those who choose not to accept equality for all. If a redneck from the US can welcome five gay men in to his life and sob like a little baby when they leave, then surely we can expect an attitude change from other people too?</div>
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2. They draw from their own experiences to help others. There's no point preaching to someone if you can't relate in any way, so I love how the guys talk about their own lives in each episode. They discuss the struggles that they've been through in order to help the person understand the importance of change in their life. One episode showed Bobby talking about the exclusion he felt from the church when he came out, but the show demonstrates that although things aren't always easy, the love and kindness of most of the people around you normally shines through when you give them a chance. When he needed it the most, his family and friends rallied round him and that was enough.</div>
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3. It focuses on men who have lost their way, and highlights that it is just as important for them to take care of themselves as it is for a woman. Why is it that women are the only ones who can make themselves feel nice with a bit of moisturiser and hair products? Men deserve to feel handsome and proud of themselves for a nice outfit and a good haircut as well. Tan (fashion expert) and Jonathan (grooming expert) come in and work their magic on men who aren't making an effort with their appearance anymore and I love seeing the smiles on their faces when they look in the mirror at the end. It can sometimes be something as simple as trimming a beard and using some face cream and the men look and feel like a different person. It's great that they are encouraging men to educate themselves on quick and easy ways to make themselves feel comfortable in their own skin.</div>
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4. It introduces people to a different way of thinking about their current situation - and doesn't try to change people too much, but instead improve them. Karamo Brown (culture expert) aims to work with each person on their attitude to life. Whether they are lazy, helpless in love, feeling overwhelmed or neglected...each person has their own problems that they are dealing with and Karamo comes in to help. He basically pulls together all of the other guys efforts and concludes the transformation by showing how they can control their future by being more positive and grateful. He often makes people cry when they realise how accurate he is about them after only a few days, but his honesty and kind words help to enlighten people and change their mindset forever.</div>
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5. It shows how important your living environment is for your general sense of wellbeing and self-esteem. There's no doubt that I feel so much better when I come home to a clean and tidy house, so why should it be any different for anyone else? Being excited to spend time in your own home is such a great feeling, and each person is shown how valuable it is to have a space you're proud of. Bobby (design expert) is a genius as he takes all different types of properties (rented and owned) and transforms them in to a liveable space that incorporates elements from the persons life and personality. He provides convenient storage to hide all their belongings and reduce clutter - all in the hope of providing them with a more spacious home to create new memories in.</div>
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6. It tries to emphasise how important it is to treat your body right through eating good food. It isn't just about how you look on the outside, but also about how you feel on the inside. Antoni (food and wine expert) tries to enrich their lives by helping them to enjoy the process of preparing food, and tries to make it part of their regular routine. The excitement on their faces when they see other people being proud of them is so beautiful and makes me want to be more skilled in the kitchen too. Antoni explores why they haven't been cooking well and shows them how easy it can be to make simple changes that will have a great impact on their body. Sometimes it is as small as explaining how much better it is for you to make your own guacamole rather than buying a store version - something you'd never think much of.</div>
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7. The Fab Five don't just try to help an individual personally, but they also put steps in place to help the individual with a project or to achieve a goal they have. Whether that's re-doing a community centre, or helping with their relationships, the Fab Five look at how the things that are important to them also need a bit of a boost every so often. In the first episode of the new series, the Fab Five completely renovate a church building that was going to be used as a place for families to come to get to know their community. Another episode showed them helping with planning a party and an auction, all with the intention of pulling the person out of the hole they are in and showing them how great life can be.</div>
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8. The show gives you ALL the feels. Without fail you end up grinning from ear to ear or crying tears of joy as you see the transformation that each person goes through. You see them grow in confidence, develop a new sense of style, be proud in their environment, be healthier in their eating and in their mindset, and most of all, generally feeling like they can tackle the world head on - all in the space of a week. If that doesn't convince you to want to watch it then I genuinely do not know what will. It's a gorgeous show and I genuinely hope that they keep making more and more episodes as I can't get enough of it!</div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-29150686270673001772018-05-21T08:14:00.002+01:002018-11-12T09:50:31.066+00:00So I've started a podcast...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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A few months ago I was round at my friend Kat's house and we were drinking a lot of prosecco. We wanted to film a video for her youtube channel all about internet dating so we sat down in front of the camera to have a bit of a chin wag about our individual experiences. A few hours later after we'd finished (talking, giggling and drinking) we drunkenly decided that it would be a really good idea to turn the audio from this video in to a podcast! After all...what was the worst that could happen? We loved the way that our three different experiences and opinions worked well together on the recording, and thought that it would be good to move forward discussing a whole host of subjects. It seems that when you've had a couple of bottles of prosecco and lots of sweets and snacks, the impossible seems a hell of a lot more possible. Well I'm so grateful that our intoxicated conversation turned in to a reality, because eight episodes later and it looks like this is a proper thing now! <a href="http://www.twitter.com/proseccosesspod" target="_blank">The Prosecco Sessions</a> was born. </div>
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We now share weekly podcast episodes (started fortnightly) on a Sunday morning on subjects that interest us and record whenever we can whilst drinking a glass of fizz or two during recording. The hosts consist of me, Laura from <a href="http://www.lovedbylaura.com/" target="_blank">LovedByLaura</a> and Kat from <a href="https://www.shesagentry.com/" target="_blank">ShesAGentry</a>, and we're a pretty good team if I don't say so myself! We all live in different places, are all different ages, and all do completely different job roles - which makes for a really interesting conversation from three women with different lives. We each have different family situations, different relationship histories, and different likes and dislikes, and it means that we can add perspectives that maybe one of us hadn't thought about before. We pick a subject for each episode and spend a few days beforehand thinking about it and looking in to anything in particular that we want to bring up. Then we come together and get chatting for a couple of hours and pick the best bits for you to listen to!</div>
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I'd like to believe that each podcast episode sounds like a conversation with three friends. Maybe you're sat in your bedroom cleaning your room, or moving around in your kitchen making some food - well The Prosecco Sessions aims to be the perfect podcast to have on in the background. We will hopefully make you laugh as we giggle our way through the recording (we have to edit a lot of that out) and we'll hopefully make you think. The topics we have selected haven't been especially ground breaking in terms of news or politics, but instead we've selected subjects that we want to talk about as three modern day women. Some of our episodes so far have focused on things like burnout, body image, making friends as adults, the power of makeup...the list goes on. We aim to give you around 40 minutes of enjoyable listening, and want to leave you with some interesting information and opinions. </div>
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We're going to go up to ten episodes in each series, and then have a few weeks off to come up with new ideas and take a little rest from recording and editing. If you have any specific subjects that you'd be interested in us discussing then please do let us know! We are constantly coming up with new ideas and we each get far too excited in the run up to actually talking about it, so we'd love your involvement. </div>
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Subscribe and listen to The Prosecco Sessions on<a href="https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-prosecco-sessions/id1363732991?mt=2#episodeGuid=tag%3Asoundcloud%2C2010%3Atracks%2F429968778https://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-prosecco-sessions/id1363732991?mt=2#episodeGuid=tag%3Asoundcloud%2C2010%3Atracks%2F429968778" target="_blank"> iTunes</a> and <a href="https://soundcloud.com/theproseccosessions" target="_blank">SoundCloud</a>. </div>
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Hope you like it! CTx</div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 18px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-70318289942297642542018-05-19T15:23:00.000+01:002019-04-25T19:26:54.910+01:00Let's talk about stress and mental health <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Unless you've been living under a rock then you'll know that it has been #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek between the 14th-19th May. Started by the Mental Health Foundation in 2001, this week aims to raise awareness of mental health and the problems associated with mental health in order to inspire action and promote the message of good mental health for all. Not an easy challenge, i'm sure you can agree! This year they are focussing on the subject of stress as their research has shown that it is a key factor in many peoples struggles. Although it isn't a mental health problem in itself, it can lead to depression, anxiety, self-harm and suicide - so if we don't talk about stress then we are in danger of people developing much more severe issues. Whether it is stress in your personal life, stress caused by work, worrying about money, health concerns...whatever, it is crucial that we highlight the epidemic which is happening amongst many people in the UK at the moment. </div>
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<i>"Three quarters (74%) of people have at some point felt so stressed that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope" (Mental Health Foundation Survey of 4169 UK adults)</i></h4>
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So in the spirit of opening up the conversation and encouraging people I know to delve in to discussions about it, I went to Twitter to get some information on how different people handle stress and cope with their own mental health. I hope this helps!</div>
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<b>1.</b> "I have what I call my 'Basic Humanity Checklist' which I run through whenever I'm feeling low/stressed. 1. Have I eaten food in the past 24 hours? 2. Have I drunk water in the past 12 hours? 3. Have I had enough sleep in the past 48 hours? 4. Have I moved/washed my body in the last week? 5. Have I had any meaningful human interaction in the last week? If I get through all that without feeling better, it's time to talk..." <span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="https://twitter.com/Becki_Bush" target="_blank">@Becki_Bush</a>, Book Editor, London</span></blockquote>
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<b>2. </b>"I find when I'm suffering, every night before I go to sleep, I think back through my day & write down anything good that's happened, even if it's as small as someone smiling at me in a coffee shop. Looking at the good rather than the bad really helps me in day to day life." <span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="https://twitter.com/CaraWoodx91" target="_blank">@CaraWood</a>, Manager, London</span></blockquote>
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<b>3. </b>"When you ask someone if they're okay and they say 'yeah I'm fine', probe a bit deeper and ask them again. We're often just keeping up appearances so if you feel like someone is hiding the truth, it's worth showing more interest in someone and helping them feel listened to." <span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="https://twitter.com/kellyannerist" target="_blank">@KellyAnneRist</a>, Social Media Executive, Hertfordshire</span></blockquote>
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<b>4. </b>"Speak out! Do not be ashamed and fall victim to the silly stigmas society has made us believer. Nobody has good mental health 24/7 and anyone that says they do is a liar. It's like saying you've never had a cold. Everyone has their ups and downs and it's normal!" <span style="color: #a64d79;"><a href="https://twitter.com/shesagentry" target="_blank">@ShesAGentry</a>, Dental Technician, Peterborough</span></blockquote>
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<b style="text-align: start;">5. </b><span style="text-align: start;">"If you feel like there is no one in your personal life you can reach out to then there are organisations who can help, listen and support you. You are never alone, but you may have to be the one to ask for help." <a href="http://www.twitter.com/LovedByLauraC" target="_blank">@LovedByLauraC</a></span><span style="color: #a64d79; text-align: start;">, Developer, Peterborough</span></blockquote>
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<b>6. </b>"Find the right person to talk to who you can trust (maybe someone you have confided in before or someone who has been through a similar situation). Unfortunately i've seen too man people open up to people who have either given dreadful advice, or made them feel worse. Talk to those who you know have your best interests at heart. Then find what works for you. We all deal with things in different ways." <a href="http://www.twitter.com/Lizaboo_Ponders" target="_blank">@Lizaboo_Ponders</a><span style="color: #a64d79;">, Life and Wellbeing Writer, Stamford</span></blockquote>
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<b>7.</b> "Try and reach out to talk to someone about what is happening. Remember, this is an illness, you are not to blame for this, and you should not feel guilty for it. If you can, try and identify any triggers and then the best way to work through them. Also, when it comes to recovery it's not always going to be an upwards journey, some times things get bad for a bit, and that's okay." <a href="https://twitter.com/essaysandwine" target="_blank">@EssaysAndWine</a><span style="color: #a64d79;">, Digital Marketing, High Wycombe</span></blockquote>
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<b>8. </b>"When talking to someone at work about how you're doing, speak to them factually (difficult when feeling stressed or overwhelmed). Start with "I feel" rather than wording in a blame way. It's not about "I've got too much to do" (which may sound whiney), it's "I feel overwhelmed/stressed/under pressure" and then "it's making me feel x, y z". Also we all need to know that often the worries about what they will think, don't come true." <a href="http://www.twitter.com/EmLangtonCoach" target="_blank">@EmLangtonCoach</a><span style="color: #a64d79;">, Coach, York</span></blockquote>
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I personally have become very open about my mental health, and do a number of things to help myself - I write in a line a day diary to note down how i'm feeling and get them on to paper. I go to a counsellor and have found that speaking to someone impartial has been very beneficial. I call my family a lot, as they know me best and can often tell when things aren't quite right. Then finally, I lean on my friends. I like to believe that I am able to return the favour in one way or another, but I don't think I could ever put in to words how grateful I am for the people in my life. Call on them - what's the worst that could happen?</div>
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I really enjoyed finding out how different people cope with their own mental health. We can't always be completely happy, or not stressed, but the main thing to remember is that when you are feeling unlike your self then there are people out there who care, and people who can help. I added in where people are from and what they do for a living next to their quotes for a reason. I wanted to demonstrate that you could be from anywhere, or do any job, and still suffer with the same issues as anyone else. We are all different, but that doesn't mean we can't be humble and understanding for friends who aren't doing so well; and we can also still feel the same sort of pain and suffering as someone else. Just be patient, and check how someone is doing, even if they don't seem like they want to be asked. It will take two seconds out of your day and could make a huge difference! CTx</div>
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<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2155px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2155px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-29101700862623302052018-04-28T20:42:00.001+01:002018-11-12T09:51:14.169+00:0010 reasons we should talk about periods more...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Yes, I'm doing it, I'm talking about periods. Why am I talking about periods? Well this week I'm on my period and I am suffering...so I need to talk about it. I don't necessarily mean all the time, but we sure as hell should feel more comfortable having the odd conversation about it when the time is right. Today, my friends, is that day. I am going to give you 10 reasons why we should all be talking about periods more. </div>
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<b>1. Well the first reason is just obvious...we should talk about it because they suck</b>. Why suffer in silence if you're feeling anything less than okay? If you had a bad foot and someone asked you why you were limping then you'd have no problems telling them that you've hurt your foot. So why on earth do we feel the need to be so shy about discussing what's going on inside us? Yes it can be a bit gross from time to time, but it's bloody life (see what I did there), so we should feel good about discussing the things that are causing us pain - periods or not! </div>
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<b>2.</b> <b>Because it's natural. </b>It's a thing that comes about every month and we literally have no control over it. Once you hit puberty, it will come around once a month and at first it will be a real surprise. Your body is going through some huge changes, and adding your period in to the mix is possibly the worst thing ever. BUT it is natural, and you're not the only one...so there's no point making a massive deal in out of it as we can't change it. If conversations started younger then we wouldn't all be so afraid as we grow up. </div>
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<b>3. Because it's important to recognise that there is no 'normal' period</b>. None of us look the same, none of us feel the same, none of us are the same, so why would there be one set way to have a period? Some people have short periods and some long, some people have heavy periods and some light, some feel pain and some barely feel a thing...every person has a completely different combination of all of them. It's important for us to be open about what we go through because it helps other people to understand that each of our experiences are 'normal' - but it's normal for us, not for every woman on the planet.</div>
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<b>4. Because some people are scared of the word vagina</b> (even though we came out of one). Why is it that people/the media only want to share positive things about a woman's 'lady parts' when it's relating to sex. It's a body part that we need for so many reasons - not only to enjoy sex, but to have babies and also have periods. All vagina's are different, and like periods, there is no normal type of vagina. So can people stop making out as if one is better than the other? Or if it's only 'desirable' when you're not on your period? Your lady business goes through so much all month long and it's pretty much doing it all on it's own. A vagina is no more unusual than a penis, even if it does have blood coming out of it for a week a month. It's awesome, so let's recognise that more please. </div>
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<b>5. Because even though it only occurs one week a month, we have to think about it all year long. </b> No, I'm not saying that i'm fretting about my period every waking moment of the day, and yes, we can live care free the majority of the time. However, I can't be the only one who plans her life around her period? I often feel lethargic, dizzy and bloated during my period, and am less likely to want to attend certain social things during this time. I use <a href="https://helloclue.com/" target="_blank">Clue</a> (the best hormone/period tracker) to find out when I will be 'on' and then i'll work my way round it. Whether it's a day out, a certain meeting, or a holiday - I have to think about when would be the best time to do these things without my period getting in the way. </div>
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<b>6. Because men should be more knowledgeable.</b> Please note, I am not saying that all men don't know anything about periods. I know a lot of guys who are very aware of the ins and outs of what goes on - however, there are a lot of men who either a) don't want to know anything about it, b) know incorrect information about it, or c) (possibly the worst) know a bit about it but make jokes about it/are just generally immature. Picture this, you're going to the toilet and you need to change your sanitary pad when Barry from accounts walks past you and asks you if you're leaving work early. No you fucktard, i'm having to take my bag to the toilet because I don't want to wave my sanitary pad throughout the office. Come on buddy, open your eyes and realise what's going on here. Anyway, enough talking about Barry. In general a lot of men need to be more aware of the possible side affects from your period, and the fact that all women suffer differently. It's no laughing matter, it's not gross, and it really takes its toll on a considerable number of women every month. If one man took the time to be a little more educated, and then decided to speak to their friends, or not laugh when their moron friend makes a joke about their moody girlfriend, then maybe we'd be one step closer to fewer women feeling ashamed and a generally more open-minded world. </div>
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<b>7. The more we talk about it, the better your work life will be. </b>As mentioned, during my period I often get dizzy spells due to an iron deficiency, which means i'm clearly not going to be performing at optimum capacity. I often don't get a fantastic nights sleep due to period pains - again, meaning I might not be on top form in that team meeting or client presentation. I could keep going on for a long time, but the main thing I want to emphasise is that these aren't excuses, these are legitimate reasons for why your work should acknowledge every so often that a woman might be a little 'off their game' at certain times of the month, and the worst bit? I can't do anything about it. I've tried taking iron supplements, drinking more water, going to bed earlier - and although it has some benefits, I am still not feeling my best and could do with being given a little slack. Just like someone would expect if they had a bad cold.</div>
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<b>8. Because it will help a lot of people's sex lives. </b>I don't want to generalise, but I know a lot of girls and guys who don't want to be 'active' during their period. I totally get it - you might not feel your sexiest during this time, so why would you want to get down to it? BUT...people need to realise that there is literally no problems whatsoever with having sex on your period. If we talk more openly about periods then we will normalise it, and it will allow more open conversations about how it isn't gross or 'bad' to have sex all year round. It's also a personal choice, and if someone makes a decision that it is something they like doing then they shouldn't be made to feel like it's not 'normal' by other people who don't like the idea of it. What you get up to in the bedroom is your choice and your period should not get in the way of that.</div>
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<b>9. Because sanitary products are expensive. </b>Every month women have to go out and buy a couple of boxes of sanitary products. Times that by 12 months in a year, and then times that by the number of years you've been having your period. It's a pretty outrageous figure when you think about it. And to top it all off, in the UK we currently being taxed 5 percent on tampons and pads. We need to talk more openly about periods so that people understand the insane amount of money women are having to put away every month to ensure they aren't left in an uncomfortable situation.</div>
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<b>10. Because we need to recognise how difficult periods can be for some women and girls. </b>Having your period for a high number of women is just an inconvenience. We don't want to have to think about what we wear or how bloated we're going to feel during the time of the month. Realistically, this is a pretty minor thing to have to worry about in the grand scheme of things. However, for a lot of women all over the world having your period can be seen as a weakness, it can be seen as 'wrong', or is incredibly misunderstood and therefore women and girls are not supported. I could go on and on and on about this, but the main thing i'm going to discuss is period poverty. Forty million women and girls around the world are affected by period poverty (<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjM753A6draAhWMVsAKHbO_DOMQFghkMAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fborgenproject.org%2Fperiod-poverty%2F&usg=AOvVaw3JMEdOyZTF1M5eFp3rT0qr" target="_blank">Borgen Project</a>) meaning that they are unable to afford sanitary products, and they often suffer in silence. Most people would tend to assume that this is something happening in certain places in the world, but unbelievably there is a huge number of people who are struggling with this in western society. One in ten young women in the UK struggle to buy these products (<a href="https://www.heygirls.co.uk/facts-figures/" target="_blank">Hey girls</a>) and we definitely take it for granted. The more open we are about discussing periods could mean that the issue of period poverty becomes more widely known, and we have a better chance of solving the problem. We need to support our fellow women and there are a number of ways that we can do this (<a href="https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-to-tackle-period-poverty_uk_5aa163c0e4b0d4f5b66e8bba" target="_blank">check out HuffPost's article</a> and also <a href="https://www.heygirls.co.uk/" target="_blank">HeyGirls</a>).</div>
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So there we go, here are my 10 reasons why we should be discussing periods more. There are way more that I could note down, but these are the most important ones to me. In general, if we begin conversations earlier, and are more open about periods then we have a better chance of 'normalising' it, and we will be able to move away from women and girls globally feeling ashamed, embarrassed or like something is wrong with them. Let's all make a pact to talk about it when we normally wouldn't, make silly people feel uncomfortable, and be more courageous about a subject that is still taboo, even in 2018. </div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-14781926701779767122018-04-22T23:21:00.001+01:002018-11-12T09:51:18.460+00:00It's the little things that get me excited when changing jobs...<div style="text-align: center;">
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Recently I decided to take the plunge and apply for an opportunity that appeared in my inbox. After a year and a half in my current role I thought I would take a chance on a new job that sounded terrifying but exciting all at the same time. I really like the place i'm at at the moment, but sometimes a new offer turns up that is just too good to turn down - and I'm so grateful that this new offer was given to me. I hope to do quite a bit of content about getting a new job and how it all goes when I start, but I thought i'd start with mentioning the nerdiest thing that's making me excited about moving jobs. STATIONERY. Yes I know what you're thinking, 'is she really saying that a few new notebooks and some fancy pens are all that exciting?' And my answer is yes, they make me just as excited now as they did each summer when mum would take me to WHSmith in an attempt to get me to be enthusiastic about going back to school after a long holiday off. </div>
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One of my favourite places to shop for new bits and pieces is the <a href="https://oldenglishprints.com/" target="_blank">Old English Company</a>. They are a stationery and homeware brand that make really beautiful, hand lettered products that I am obsessed with. Their stuff is so simple and stylish, and they use cute calligraphy-style writing across all their designs. I was introduced to them a few years ago and have been building a collection of items from them ever since (I can't help myself). When I found out about my new job they were naturally the first place I headed to when I decided that I wanted to treat myself to new work stationery, but I hadn't quite realised that all but one of my favourite items were 'millennial pink' themed! Who can resist it when they all look so nice together? My main priority had to be planners and notepads, because although I like to think of myself as quite a naturally organised person, often this is down to the help of a good <a href="https://oldenglishprints.com/collections/planners" target="_blank">planner</a>. An A5 notebook is so handy for keeping in your bag in between meetings when you're out and about, and it's even better when it's got some rose gold foil lettering on the front. Then when you're at your desk, prioritising tasks is essential for me if I want to tackle not only the big jobs, but also the boring ones too. A weekly agenda helps me to take a look at the week ahead and assess what things I need to make sure I tick off; and then a note pad and memo pad are super handy for making notes throughout the day when new tasks are added to your (never ending) list.</div>
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Although it might not last long, I find that buying new stationery bits really help to get me in an organised and productive mood. To some it may mean nothing, but for me I think it helps me to feel like i've got my life in gear and I can tackle anything that life throws at me. If i'm going to enjoy my job then I might as well start with the basics to set me off in the right direction! Take a look at my top Old English Company picks:</div>
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1. <a href="https://oldenglishprints.com/products/blush-pink-memo-notepad?variant=42143729170" target="_blank">Blush Pink Memo Pad</a> 2. <a href="https://oldenglishprints.com/products/blush-pink-a4-wall-planner?variant=41391182866" target="_blank">Blush Pink A4 Wall Planner</a> 3. <a href="https://oldenglishprints.com/products/she-designed-a-life-she-loved-print" target="_blank">She Designed A Life She Loved Print</a> 4. <a href="https://oldenglishprints.com/products/blush-pink-and-gold-a5-planner?variant=953617580059" target="_blank">Blush Pink And Gold A5 Planner </a>5. <a href="https://oldenglishprints.com/products/blush-pink-notes-a5-notepad?variant=41389374354" target="_blank">Blush Pink Notes A5 Notepad</a></div>
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Did you know that it is World Stationery Day on the 25th April? To celebrate, Old English Company are offering one lucky person the chance to win all 4 of their best-selling planners in a variety of colours! If you want to win then <a href="https://oldenglishprints.com/pages/competition-win-a-set-of-planners" target="_blank">head over to their website to check out the details</a> (Winner being announced on the 25th).</div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-91211597012070971692018-04-16T13:47:00.000+01:002018-11-12T09:51:22.134+00:00Why I'm Doing #WalkInHerShoes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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10,000 steps a day does not sound like a lot to most people. However if you're like one of the many people like me who use public transport and then sit on their bums all day in an office, then it is embarrassing how few steps you're able to achieve on a day-to-day basis. Until recently I had never even thought about how far I was walking each day, or how much time I spent sitting versus walking. I always thought that if I was eating good (enough) food and doing my yoga once or twice a week then I was surely living a healthy lifestyle. Well I was wrong! Sitting around for more than eight hours a day can be associated with diabetes, heart disease, issues with blood pressure...the <a href="https://fitness.mercola.com/sites/fitness/archive/2015/09/11/daily-walk-benefits.aspx" target="_blank">list goes on</a>. However if you're able to swap your habits and walk around a little bit more during your day then you can counter all those problems and more! </div>
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A few months ago I heard about <a href="https://www.care-international.org/" target="_blank">Care International</a>, a charity working to fight poverty in 94 countries, after seeing their signs at International Women's Day in London. I discovered that they do a number of fundraising projects throughout the year which focus on helping women and girls who are affected by poverty and discrimination - and they have been doing some incredible things so far. I think it is very easy to go about your normal life and not think about women in other countries who are exactly the same age as you, but living their life in a very different way. I wake up in my comfortable bed, go to work using my oyster card on the tube, and then sit in my nice warm office all day long earning money to pay my bills. I don't have issues with buying myself lunch, or accessing clean water. I don't have issues with putting clothes on my back or makeup on my face. I am fortunate in the sense that I do not have to face any extreme discrimination because I am a woman. Yet I'm sure you'll all aware that this is not the case for a lot of women and girls in other countries.</div>
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So I thought I would try and do my bit. Care International run a project called <a href="https://www.careinternational.org.uk/walk-in-her-shoes" target="_blank">Walk In Her Shoes</a>, a fundraising opportunity that asks you to walk 10,000 steps every day for one week (16-22nd April). </div>
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Why? Well every day thousands of women and girls, all over the world, have no choice but to walk many miles to fetch water for their families, and that water that is often dirty. Their daily routine deprives them of the chance to have an education, a job, and traps them in a cycle of poverty. Isn't it crazy to think that by purely not having water available to them, so much of their life could be affected?</div>
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By getting involved in Walk In Her Shoes, I'm helping to<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"> raise money that will be put towards building wells and water pumps closer to rural communities so that women and girls don’t have to spend their days walking for water, and can plan for a better future. And it's so simple! </span>All I had to do to be involved was pay 5 pounds to enter, and then speak to my friends and family about sponsoring me. You're asked to try and raise at least 100 pounds before the 22nd April as Care are working with the government who have said that they will match any donations submitted before then. But I'm hoping I'll be able to get some more money in before the end of the week!</div>
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So from now on I'll be trying to take the stairs instead of the lift, I'll be walking up the escalator instead of standing to one side and looking at my phone, I'll be taking a quick 5 minute break to walk to the shops over lunch instead of ordering in. And if I'm able to help even a little bit then it will have been totally worthwhile! Care International's projects have led to an increase in girls’ school enrolment, improved school performance and reduced incidences of violence against girls collecting water. So I definitely think this is a good project to get involved with. If you want to help me change the lives of women around the world then <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walkingforwater2018" target="_blank">please feel free to sponsor me here.</a></div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-89958396320866981002018-03-25T22:07:00.000+01:002018-11-12T09:51:25.939+00:00Wrapping up <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I don't know about you, but i'm bloody freezing pretty much all the time. I'm that person who wears socks to bed (and sometimes a jumper). I'm that person who has gloves in their bag for most of the year as I always feel like my fingers are going to fall off. I'm that person who can't sit on the sofa without a blanket cascaded all over me. In short, I get cold A LOT. When you're inside, you can wrap yourself up in all the cosy things you can find in your room, but when you're forced to leave the house for annoying things like work or social occasions, then you're a bit stuck when it comes to being warm AND looking nice. I know that when it gets to September, us Brits all have the same predicament where we don't want to give up entirely on the chance of some final summer sunshine, but we are also very realistic about the fact that within a few days, the temperature will drop, it starts bucketing it down with rain, and all public transport will be ruined for ridiculous reasons like too many leaves or frozen tracks. So despite us now being on the other side of winter and *supposedly* one step closer to some sunshine, I thought i'd share one of my favourite looks that i'm wearing at the moment, one that has helped me stay wrapped up and looking nice over the last few months. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ar63vYhu-lQ/Wndg4PDtY6I/AAAAAAAAHGc/ZYMTogo_BRAWb29RKdpKvYFmeGkP1XOTQCLcBGAs/s1600/Cosy%2Bjumper%2BClashing%2BTime%2B00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ar63vYhu-lQ/Wndg4PDtY6I/AAAAAAAAHGc/ZYMTogo_BRAWb29RKdpKvYFmeGkP1XOTQCLcBGAs/s1600/Cosy%2Bjumper%2BClashing%2BTime%2B00001.jpg" /></a></div>
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The cream knitted jumper. Is there anything better? You can have slim fitting ones, or slouchy over-sized ones, and yet they still look really awesome. The thing I love about my H&M knit is that it goes with pretty much anything. It's long enough to fall down below my bum (meaning it's hiding my really stylish under clothes situation of a top tucked in to my jeans) and also has nicely fitted sleeves which aren't too long and aren't too short. It has some slight detailing to it, but it isn't so over the top that it is a statement jumper. And finally, it is super cosy. It's the perfect jumper for chucking on under a big coat or a light jacket, and has been my go-to item for the last few years. I got this baby in a charity shop for £4 and I would definitely say that it has been one of my best finds. If you're ever looking for great jumpers then please do check out your local charity shops (especially if you don't mind a bigger fit), there are so many great places selling amazing big knits for everyone, but with a tiny price tag which means you can't say no. </div>
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I have so many scarfs (probably too many), and as someone who is always cold, I wear them with pretty much every outfit. A monochrome one is an obvious key item to have because it can be worn with pretty much any coloured coat or big jumper. This big scarf is an old one from Peacocks, but i've found a really similar one from <a href="http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0604794001.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwkd3VBRDzARIsAAdGzMBWV3ZmRUxUKI5yBeBpUq4YALvS5L39eYdFsvoYQGO8NC-7vkXUmpEaAt6aEALw_wcB&s_kwcid=AL!850!3!214282971985!!!g!304567614125!&ef_id=WrgLyQAAATiOgNiZ:20180325205121:s" target="_blank">H&M here</a>. This scarf has been through a lot with me - been a hair protector in the wind and rain, has been a blanket on cold trains and flights, and has done a great job of keeping my neck warm through all weathers. I'm a big believer in getting a big scarf for all occasions, as you never knew when it's going to be needed for multi-purpose use! This little Chloe dupe bag is an eBay bargain after seeing it on <a href="http://vipxo.co.uk/">Vipxo.co.uk</a>. Believer it or not, it was only about £11 and has lasted me so well. <a href="https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUXURIOUS-LADY-MATTE-LEATHER-SHOULDER-BAG-TOTES-NEW-PU-HANDBAG-SATCHEL-MESSENGER-/141874463597?var=&hash=item210860836d:m:mF6emOlTcaYy2XLak5wpbSQ&clk_rvr_id=1478177379566&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true" target="_blank">Get yours here</a>!</div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bi5yb_Tfgn4/Wndg4aGwcPI/AAAAAAAAHGg/jzs--A0QQH8X7BYgBasU99sJ-wfcyXmhACLcBGAs/s1600/Cosy%2Bjumper%2BClashing%2BTime%2B00003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bi5yb_Tfgn4/Wndg4aGwcPI/AAAAAAAAHGg/jzs--A0QQH8X7BYgBasU99sJ-wfcyXmhACLcBGAs/s1600/Cosy%2Bjumper%2BClashing%2BTime%2B00003.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've been living in my black high-wasited jeans as they work with pretty much any look i'm going for, but when it's chilly outside, i've been pairing them with some over the knee black boots (with huge fluffy socks underneath), and i've been good to go. Get yourself a comfortable pair of over the knee boots and you'll be wearing them for years to come. Whether you get heeled ones or flat ones, black boots add a new element to a very simple outfit of a cream jumper and jeans. This whole look works perfectly for weekend brunches, a visit to see a friend, or a quick trip out of the city. As much as i'm looking forward to feeling the sun on my face, i'm also sad to be putting away my big knits for a few months! What has been your go-to cosy outfit this winter? Let me know in the comments below! CTx</div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-7654914964491770242018-03-22T21:15:00.000+00:002018-06-29T15:43:03.939+01:00#OriginsInBloom in Cambridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
A couple of weeks ago I was invited to attend an event in Cambridge with some of my other lovely Camb Meet Up ladies at <a href="http://origins.com/" target="_blank">Origins</a> in Rose Crescent. Sally from <a href="http://sallymorganmoore.com/">SallyMorganMoore.com</a> planned an incredible Saturday evening event after the store had closed and I felt so fortunate to not only be with a group of really nice people for a couple of hours, but also in the Origins store finding out about the amazing products they sell. I've always been a bit useless with my skincare (e.g used to be rubbish at taking my makeup off/bad at washing my face or using face scrubs), and then a few years ago I was introduced to Origins and i've been in love ever since. Attending an event in their store was like an evening of heavenly treatment. We learnt about the correct type of products we should use for our different skin types, the order that we should apply the products in, and how we can look after our skin better moving forward. A couple of girls were used as models to demonstrate the effect of the cleansers, toners, serums and moisturisers, and it was relaxing even watching this! I had a full face of makeup on so I didn't put myself forward, but I made sure to go and feel how soft their skin was when they had finished (I got permission first!). Instead, I jumped at the chance of having a hand and arm massage. I could feel the tension being released from my hands with each movement, it's crazy how much you can de-stress from something so simple. It just shows how easy it is to make yourself feel that tiniest bit better with a little bit of self-care with some good products. </div>
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I have quite dry and sensitive skin, but Origins use all natural and certified organic ingredients, which means that your skin is left feeling nourished and refreshed after using their products. I am especially a fan of the <a href="https://www.origins.co.uk/product/15346/11647/skincare/treat/mask/drink-up-intensive/overnight-mask-to-quench-skins-thirst" target="_blank">Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask</a> which is used to 'quench skin's thirst'. As I basically live with dry skin every day of my life, having something that you can put on before bed and then not worry about it until the morning is such a nice thing. At £26.50, I tend to use it quite sparingly - but the great thing is that you don't need to use a lot to make a huge difference. It hydrates your skin almost immediately, and if you ask anyone who uses it then you'll know that they RAVE about the apricot smell. There are so many other products that I am desperate to try, and I know that I will be popping back to treat myself whenever I can. </div>
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The event was a really great reminder of how nicely bloggers and brands can work together. Everyone walked away genuinely enthusiastic about Origins, and I don't think there was one person who didn't buy something special for themselves. We were all kindly given a sheet mask in our goodie bags and I am making sure that I save it for a relaxing evening in to myself. I can't wait to be able to light some candles, read a book and recharge my batteries whilst sorting my skin out. Origins aims to provide products that have a unique blend of mood-enhancing essential oils that are a pleasure to use, and I genuinely do feel that that is the case. When I use their products I feel like I am looking after myself, and it was lovely to hear that this was the consensus from all the other girls at the event too. We spoke in detail about what our favourite items are and how they benefit us each differently - which just shows how vital skincare is to each and every one of us.</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2SQ9OUP4ccY/WrQBSGfcS3I/AAAAAAAAHIk/MVOr_4bT8WE6-omido2NSmqBBnFQiob3wCEwYBhgL/s1600/Origins%2Bin%2BBloom%2B6.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2SQ9OUP4ccY/WrQBSGfcS3I/AAAAAAAAHIk/MVOr_4bT8WE6-omido2NSmqBBnFQiob3wCEwYBhgL/s640/Origins%2Bin%2BBloom%2B6.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Thank you so much to the lovely Sally and the team at Origins! It was a great evening, surrounded by inspirational friends and new people too. Sally made sure that everyone was looked after, and her husband even made some cakes for us to enjoy. It didn't take much convincing for me to want to shop with Origins, but it was great to find out more about some of the goodies that I didn't know anything about. I'm really looking forward to trying more out soon! CTx</div>
Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-68125100226718576972018-02-28T14:07:00.000+00:002018-08-02T10:18:18.755+01:00London Gin Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Last month I had an email pop in to my inbox that could possibly be seen as every gin lovers dream. 'I'm currently on the hunt for bloggers to attend the <a href="https://www.eatdrinkseek.co.uk/gin-festivals/" target="_blank">London Gin Festival</a>'...erm say no more, yes please! After giving up vodka and a couple of other spirits a few years ago, gin became my go-to drink for all occasions. Looking for an after work drink... how about a gin, tonic and grapefruit? A relaxing evening drink...i'm sure gin, elderflower tonic and cucumber would work! There's so many different ways you can add an exciting twist to a classic G&T and I knew that the London Gin Festival would be the place to find some new ideas. Based in the amazing Tobacco Docks, a Grade 1 listed warehouse in the East End of London, this couldn't have been a more perfect venue for the festival. It's uniquely authentic design helped to add another element to the experience as everywhere you looked there was a new interesting area filled with music, food and gin. You could tell that other people agreed as even though the queue to get in was quite long, everyone was commenting on how fascinating the venue was and how excited they were to get in and have a drink. (Pro tip: get there as early as you can to avoid waiting in line). </div>
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<a name='more'></a>When we got through to the event we were greeted by festival helpers who gave us an little pack for the evening with a huge amount of information in it about the gins on offer, the gin companies there, the food and the shop. We moved out of the way of the eager ginthusiasts to examine the guide and I have to say that I was blown away. I've never claimed to be a proper gin aficionado, instead I'm much more of an appreciator, but I was still amazed by the variety of gins that were being presented to us. Herbal gin, citrusy gin, sweet gin, smokey gin, spicy gin, dry gin...the list goes on, they had it all and I couldn't wait to find out more! We picked up our Gin Festival glass to use for the evening and decided to head straight to the bar as the cocktails were calling our names. Everyone was walking round with glasses with beautifully coloured drinks swirling around inside and as soon as I spotted someone with an pink coloured gin I decided that it would be the perfect cocktail to get me started. The bartender put together a combination of fruity <a href="https://www.pinkstergin.com/" target="_blank">Pinkster Gin</a>, a whole heap of ice and some schweppes tonic - it was heaven! After a long week at work the taste of cold raspberry gin on my lips was such a satisfying feeling. Everyone around us seemed to be laughing as they clinked their glasses and sung along to the music and it was clear to me that they were all having a really good time. </div>
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After we had done a recce of the building and sussed out all the places we wanted to visit, we headed to the gin tasting room. We went from stand to stand learning about the history of each company, the types of tonic or mixers you should drink with each flavour, and what garnish would suit the drink. We tested samples of straight gin from <a href="https://www.ginfestival.com/products/pj-gin-elderflower?taxon_id=2" target="_blank">PJ Gin</a>, <a href="https://www.ginfestival.com/products/piucinque" target="_blank">Piucinque</a>, <a href="https://www.ginfestival.com/products/kokoro-gin" target="_blank">Kokoro</a>, <a href="https://www.ginfestival.com/products/whitley-neill-rhubarb-and-ginger-gin" target="_blank">Whitley Neill Rhubarb and ginger</a>, and <a href="https://www.ginfestival.com/products/tinker-gin-pink-edition" target="_blank">Tinker</a> and we couldn't get enough. We learnt which gins worked with amazing schweppes tonics (like grapefruit, lemon, cucumber etc), which gins you should eat a sansho berry with (Kokoro team - you're killers), or which flavours are accentuated by a shaving of a citrus fruit skin. We felt like we were walking round the sample section not only having a huge amount of fun, but also gaining a heap of information and building our gin knowledge. By the time we left the room we knew that our next step needed to be a trip to the bar to select our new found favourite drinks. Mine had to be a Tinker gin with grapefruit tonic - a fresh drink with a natural sweetness, but balanced by the sharp elderberry. I think it might have to be my go-to drink going forward as it has such a soft flavour, but the ice in the big glass and a little bit of mint help to release the fruitiness (I've already looked at where I can get it in London bars and pubs!) </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--I-5AjAVSzk/WpWuoFVZquI/AAAAAAAAHHU/lCN_9Ehf-EUgtKCBsN-fM_ZAXNSjw7V1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/London%2BGin%2BFestival%2B9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--I-5AjAVSzk/WpWuoFVZquI/AAAAAAAAHHU/lCN_9Ehf-EUgtKCBsN-fM_ZAXNSjw7V1wCEwYBhgL/s1600/London%2BGin%2BFestival%2B9.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NT-EZjNjZA/WpWunqGq1OI/AAAAAAAAHHM/ZrOuGpBI_cE_Kv4H69OfJ9411iudZK4-QCEwYBhgL/s1600/London%2BGin%2BFestival%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7NT-EZjNjZA/WpWunqGq1OI/AAAAAAAAHHM/ZrOuGpBI_cE_Kv4H69OfJ9411iudZK4-QCEwYBhgL/s1600/London%2BGin%2BFestival%2B7.jpg" /></a></div>
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One of the best things about the event definitely had to be the atmosphere. Everyone seemed like they were genuinely having a really good time! There were couples, groups of friends, and it even looked like there were a few family outings happening. Despite it being a Friday night there was lots of room to mingle and look around without it feeling too spacious, and the queues for drinks were just the right length when you're eagerly waiting to try a new gin delight. A few gins in and we had visited pretty much all of the stands that we wanted to go to and decided that the stage was the next place for us. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/northernepidemic/" target="_blank">Northern Epidemic</a>, a two man band from Yorkshire, was playing and they were literally amazing. They managed to get the whole crowd singing and dancing along to a collection of classic tunes from through the ages and they helped to finish off our evening at Tobacco Docks with a bang. </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nWZ0qgLo4A/WpWwa8y3i1I/AAAAAAAAHHw/4tFSFEi_9fsuE3ynK1lNdtTkQ3h9_1uvACLcBGAs/s1600/London%2BGin%2BFestival%2B10.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2nWZ0qgLo4A/WpWwa8y3i1I/AAAAAAAAHHw/4tFSFEi_9fsuE3ynK1lNdtTkQ3h9_1uvACLcBGAs/s1600/London%2BGin%2BFestival%2B10.png" /></a></div>
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The tickets start at 10 pounds (depending on the date/time you go) and there are <a href="https://www.eatdrinkseek.co.uk/gin-festivals/" target="_blank">numerous events</a> round the UK so make sure you check out their website to see if there is one coming to your city soon! The next London Gin Festival is <a href="https://www.ginfestival.com/events/gin-festival-london-summer-2017" target="_blank">24th-26th August</a> and I will definitely be rallying the troops to go along for a summer drinking experience. I hope to see you there! CTx</div>
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Despite being friends with people because of common interests or circumstances, you will never view a situation in the same way as the person next to you. You can feel as if you know someone because they portray themselves in a certain way, but it's important to remember that behind closed doors they might be someone completely different. It's so easy to make assumptions about people based on what you know or see about them, but how often do you stop to look deeper? We are all so busy, so we choose to accept people as what we think we know, and that is completely fine! Who can be bothered to question it? Modern day life takes over and we are all time poor, so viewing things in the simplest way is normally the easiest to come to terms with. Every so often though, we should take a moment to realise that only a few individuals are truly themselves on the inside and out, and that some people use all of their energy on 'appearing' okay, whilst also suffering with anxieties, fears and battles of their own. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izIhyzBjcpw/WlDMg1rKGbI/AAAAAAAAHFs/Bx4QOzr77WUAsgjq68IzjkpYHfV8TGTiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Unexplained%2BUnfulfillment%2BClashing%2BTime%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-izIhyzBjcpw/WlDMg1rKGbI/AAAAAAAAHFs/Bx4QOzr77WUAsgjq68IzjkpYHfV8TGTiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/Unexplained%2BUnfulfillment%2BClashing%2BTime%2B3.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've titled this post unexplained unfulfillment because this is what I suffer from. I have a roof over my head, food on the table, and a steady income, yet I live with a constant feeling of unfulfillment. It's absolutely insane when I try to explain it to people (so apologies if it doesn't make much sense), but I guess the only way I can articulate what I mean is by saying that my life feels like a never ending battle to achieve what is just out of reach. My brain tells me on a daily basis that i'm incapable of achieving the salary I want, the body I want, the motivation I want, the types of friendships I want...and there is absolutely no explanation as to why. I just can't. I realise that this is a stereotypical post written by a modern day 'millennial' - someone who is supposedly completely unsatisfied with life and unappreciative of what I have (can you tell I hate generational prejudice?). However, I think it is important to explain that this is how I feel, and not hold back because I'm worried about what people will think. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8bggHYAaW8/WlDMhIIlnnI/AAAAAAAAHFw/OsldGyPiUYoYpwb8ldD0pMvsvyfg_VI_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Unexplained%2BUnfulfillment%2BClashing%2BTime%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I8bggHYAaW8/WlDMhIIlnnI/AAAAAAAAHFw/OsldGyPiUYoYpwb8ldD0pMvsvyfg_VI_QCEwYBhgL/s1600/Unexplained%2BUnfulfillment%2BClashing%2BTime%2B4.jpg" /></a></div>
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I've spent most of my life suffering with anxiety and have had real issues with comparison, but I think that more recently it has dawned on me quite how much I struggle with it. We live in a world of instagram models and social media accounts which display the success of our peers, and it makes it really difficult for each of us to not compare our lives to theirs. Don't get me wrong, there's so many amazing things that come from the world we live in, but it's also not healthy to see these aspirational bloggers and celebrities who live lives that are so out of reach. It makes it almost impossible for me to realise my value or work out where I belong when I'm pretty much being told that I should be someone completely different to who I am. It's not surprising in the slightest that I am feeling these crazy feelings of unfulfillment when I am getting so much exposure to an unattainable lifestyle. I know deep down that all the things I think I want wouldn't necessarily make me happy or fulfilled in any way, but because it is in front of me all the time my brain plays tricks on me. </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrqXYUJkS7A/WlDMgceTn6I/AAAAAAAAHFk/_5ZjsxU80u8mfA3uAJ0WoUVl2t2p-q6iACEwYBhgL/s1600/Unexplained%2BUnfulfillment%2BClashing%2BTime%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VrqXYUJkS7A/WlDMgceTn6I/AAAAAAAAHFk/_5ZjsxU80u8mfA3uAJ0WoUVl2t2p-q6iACEwYBhgL/s1600/Unexplained%2BUnfulfillment%2BClashing%2BTime%2B1.jpg" /></a></div>
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This year I want to spend more time following and being inspired by girls and guys who I feel like I could go for a coffee with. Make friends with people who live in the moment and are real, those who write posts about real life subjects that I can relate to and don't make me feel bad about myself. Every time I look at a picture and get that horrible sensation of FOMO (from a friend or blogger), I need to pinch myself and bring myself back to reality and realise that the person in the picture might be struggling with the same imposter syndrome that I am - but they are just better at hiding it. I know that not every relationship is perfect, every girl suffers from body image issues, and I know that I can't afford a Gucci handbag or go to expensive restaurants on a daily basis, so why am I spending my time trying to convince myself that that way of life would make me feel more satisfied?</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uni4n3ZPpTY/WlDMgoSwIJI/AAAAAAAAHFo/RTwVkJBZviUjGte9Bt1zudOCBCfYI62aQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Unexplained%2BUnfulfillment%2BClashing%2BTime%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uni4n3ZPpTY/WlDMgoSwIJI/AAAAAAAAHFo/RTwVkJBZviUjGte9Bt1zudOCBCfYI62aQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Unexplained%2BUnfulfillment%2BClashing%2BTime%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>
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I know that mental health is discussed all over the place, as this is 2018, but it always amazes me that it is still so frowned upon by some people to openly discuss the struggles that you're going through. We all seem scared to be honest about the thoughts in our heads due to the fear of being called a drama queen, an over-sharer, or worse be categorised as the dreaded label of 'mentally unwell' (which unfortunately has more negative connotations than it should). I don't know about you, but I think I have very few friends who feel secure enough to discuss the extent of what is going on with them because we live in such a world of judgement. People are worried, even with their own friends to talk about their insecurities and the things they are battling at the time. So I say to hell with all that. I want to encourage everyone in my life to be more open - in fact I challenge you. If someone makes you feel bad about thoughts you're having that aren't 100% happy all the time then they aren't people you should be spending time with. I don't want anyone else to have a horrible feeling of unfulfillment - explained or unexplained - so how about we support each other a little bit more instead of feeling envy or rivalry? I've never been a big fan of 'new year, new you', but if you are going to change anything for the year ahead, then why not try to be content with what you already have? Stop feeling like you've failed because you're not the same as everyone else. We are all special, and the sooner we start believing that, the better off we will all be. </div>
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CTx</div>
<span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2780px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; 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top: 2780px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2780px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2780px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span><span style="background-color: #bd081c; background-position: 3px 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; background-size: 14px 14px; border-bottom-left-radius: 2px; border-bottom-right-radius: 2px; border-top-left-radius: 2px; border-top-right-radius: 2px; border: none; color: white; cursor: pointer; display: none; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 11px; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; left: 42px; line-height: 20px; opacity: 1; padding: 0px 4px 0px 0px; position: absolute; text-align: center; text-indent: 20px; top: 2780px; width: auto; z-index: 8675309;">Save</span>Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-89641075533439276472017-12-31T15:59:00.000+00:002017-12-31T18:42:08.789+00:00Let's be proud of what we've achieved <div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm sure you've seen a lot of people posting about the three things they are proud to have achieved in 2017 after <a href="https://twitter.com/adamjk/status/944802381727899649" target="_blank">Adam J Kurtz's tweet</a> about personal achievements went viral. Every other post on my feed seems to be my blogger pals and favourite people stating what impressive things they have done and I think it's awesome to see people taking a moment to recognise how great they are. 365 days is a long time, and we are all capable of achieving a lot - so give yourself a big pat on the back for getting through it all. You did it! Whilst I say that, I do also think that it is important to not feel bad if you haven’t achieved life changing things in 2017. I wouldn’t say that anything I achieved was even in the slightest bit earth shattering, but to me, they meant a lot and I am proud of them from a personal point of view. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4CUjOgjE7Wg/WkWDqQbQ4mI/AAAAAAAAHEs/qAJg_Qsee1sTSZr8KJhV5-FpmBkZIgicACLcBGAs/s1600/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bon%2B2017%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4CUjOgjE7Wg/WkWDqQbQ4mI/AAAAAAAAHEs/qAJg_Qsee1sTSZr8KJhV5-FpmBkZIgicACLcBGAs/s640/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bon%2B2017%2B3.jpg" width="640" /></a>So to end this (slightly chaotic and bizarre) year, I thought I would tell you the top three things that I am proud to have achieved in the last 12 months.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I survived over a year in my London job, and got a pay rise. Now saying that I survived a year in my job doesn’t sound like something to shout about, but this time two years ago I was settled in a nice job in Cambridge and was far too terrified to do a ‘big move’ to London. So I really am impressed with myself that I not only managed to quit one job that I quite liked back home, but also that I managed to get a new job in the big smoke, and didn’t get fired/bored. I know that the current job market isn’t amazing, so I think that if you can stick it out anywhere and still be happy to go to work each day - then you’re doing well! Then, because of the hard work of everyone in my team, we managed to all get a pay rise. It wasn’t much, and isn’t anything to shout from the rooftops about, but London life is pretty pricey, so every penny counts!</span><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jepl-Woggy0/WkWDrQKULzI/AAAAAAAAHE0/eRBecvJPVk06KvrLIQ7z7a4duXIbLm5-wCEwYBhgL/s1600/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bon%2B2017%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jepl-Woggy0/WkWDrQKULzI/AAAAAAAAHE0/eRBecvJPVk06KvrLIQ7z7a4duXIbLm5-wCEwYBhgL/s640/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bon%2B2017%2B2.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This year has been an interesting one in terms of my health. I started the year feeling fit as a fiddle, without a care in the world. I was eating too much, drinking too much, and generally not taking care of my body. Then in the early summer I was hit with ongoing bouts of cystitis and kidney problems. Of course, it is very easy to assume that this was because of the normal reasons (google it if you’re unaware), but unfortunately that just wasn’t the case for me. I was getting more and more ill, and ended up crying in agony in front of doctors too many times to count. After a number of visits to A&E, NHS doctors and private consultants, I was told that I have an incurable hereditary kidney disorder which means that my body is susceptible to more infections than a normal person. Every time I get sick, it is more than likely to be because of something new, and the only cure for it is long term antibiotics. Only problem is, each infection needs different antibiotics, so it means that I am basically a human sample testing machine every time I am ill. So months after this debacle started I am now in a more stable position, and am feeling positive about my health moving forward. I have had to give up a lot (including two of my faves - wine and caffeine), I’ve had to switch up my lifestyle so I am not exhausting myself, I’ve had to change a lot of the products I used to avoid infections, and finally, I spend my life living with sample pots, antibiotics and water bottles in my bag everywhere I go - but I will take all of this if it means I’m not in pain, miserable, and missing out on life. I am so proud of myself for not giving up when times got tough, for persevering with tests and drugs and doctors appointments, and I am proud that I have managed to survive despite at one point feeling like there was no chance i’d ever get better.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCuZLk8Tq-g/WkWDreZ7WYI/AAAAAAAAHEw/A3Xw8qhetsgHzwwLyLDWraCfQOibwNDeQCEwYBhgL/s1600/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bon%2B2017%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZCuZLk8Tq-g/WkWDreZ7WYI/AAAAAAAAHEw/A3Xw8qhetsgHzwwLyLDWraCfQOibwNDeQCEwYBhgL/s640/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bon%2B2017%2B1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">My third achievement is something pretty general, but awesome all the same. In 2017 I met so many incredibly amazing new people and I am feeling very grateful. I met new friends, new bloggers, new colleagues and a new man, and it is very exciting to think back at all the awesome experiences I had with each and every one of these people. There’s no denying that a new romantic relationship makes a huge difference to your life, but I genuinely think the success of 2017 has been because of a combination of people who have all contributed to making the last 12 months incredible for me. </span>I've<span style="font-family: inherit;"> met like-minded individuals who are not only </span>interesting, but they are also interested, and that makes for an awesome time together. I'm learning from my boyfriend and friends all the time, and I feel like I am constantly developing as a person with the help of a fantastic support system around me. I <span style="font-family: inherit;">am so thankful that I am able to meet new people on a daily basis, whether that is through work, at events, or through friends, and I hope that 2018 brings a lot more fascinating people in to my life.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ4PRsZLgqI/WkWDr1nNepI/AAAAAAAAHE4/7kLCWR5mLrQPt2IkE1ENPAB717q_34oiwCEwYBhgL/s1600/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bon%2B2017%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TQ4PRsZLgqI/WkWDr1nNepI/AAAAAAAAHE4/7kLCWR5mLrQPt2IkE1ENPAB717q_34oiwCEwYBhgL/s640/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bon%2B2017%2B4.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The move into 2018 is literally just the clock moving from one minute to the next, so try not to put too much pressure on things. I didn’t ask for or plan for any of the points above, but I achieved them because I had an open mind and saw happiness as my number one priority. I’m not expecting miracles in 2018, but I am going to continue each day with as much positivity as I can muster up, and I am going to relish the opportunities that come my way. I’m not going to set goals, but I wish you all the luck in the world with whatever you want to achieve in the next 12 months, and I can’t wait to see how much we have all grown this time next year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">CTx</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Outfit - Polo neck, Jacket, Jeans, Shoes, Bag: all Primark</span></div>
Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-30996054741871751282017-12-15T00:16:00.003+00:002017-12-15T00:22:39.687+00:00Are we all suffering from nomophobia?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Pd8cQfE5HU/WjMOhZINUuI/AAAAAAAAHEA/1pKsXvujyb4rlM_UfDuU2h8MbwEKsE65gCEwYBhgL/s1600/Nomophobia%2BCT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3Pd8cQfE5HU/WjMOhZINUuI/AAAAAAAAHEA/1pKsXvujyb4rlM_UfDuU2h8MbwEKsE65gCEwYBhgL/s640/Nomophobia%2BCT.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiilJu33orYAhWRzKQKHTkhBi0QFghiMAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FNomophobia&usg=AOvVaw1r2eH0KT-IRNtaMNizhzRw" style="color: #a64d79; font-family: georgia; margin: 0px; max-width: 100%; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; transition: all 0.25s ease-out; white-space: pre-wrap;" target="_blank">Nomophobia</a><span style="font-family: "georgia"; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - an anxiety disorder which stems from being out of cellular phone contact.</span></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There’s no denying that phones are amazing. I remember getting my first Nokia when I was a kid and being totally blown away by it. Although I was under strict instructions that I could only use it to call people (and by ‘people’ my parents meant them, and them alone), I was still fascinated by how you could put a few numbers in and then someone else would pick up at the other end. Mind blowing magic as a child! Over the years phones have changed from providing us with phone calls, to text messages, to emails and BBM (remember that?), to pictures and internet, and then finally the thing we never knew we needed - social networking apps. I’m know I’m not the only one who has WhatsApp, Facebook (and Messenger), Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Snapchat and Skype on my phone, and I certain that I’m not the only one who checks these pretty much every day. It truly is unbelievable that we are all so busy and have so little time to do so many things in our lives yet our scrolling time is increasing year on year.
It's addictive - each app catches ours and our friends interest and then we are hooked. Whether it’s looking at meme after meme on Facebook, or catching up on the latest news on twitter, we all use social media to consume information...but we also waste a lot of time on complete crap. I can’t be the only one getting frustrated that I don’t actually see anything my friends have put on Facebook because it’s jam packed with posts about things they had ‘liked’. Surely the whole Instagram community is pulling their hair out about the stupid algorithm which means we're seeing the same pictures over and over? And despite being so god damn irritated, I still go back...every day...to scroll, scroll, scroll. Why do I do this to myself?
I rely on my phone for so much - checking emails on the go, listening to some amazing podcasts, reading blog posts and articles from people I love - and it’s all part of my day to day life. There’s so many things I wouldn’t know if it wasn’t for my phone, and how easy it is for me to get and share information. But at the same time, phones also really concern me. After looking at a screen all day at work, I make a conscious decision to stare at another screen in my spare time. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure I’d be totally out of the loop if I didn’t have a bit of phone time, but I’m also realising that a lot of people (myself included) are rarely seen without a phone in hand, and it’s like it has become an extension of us that we never knew we needed.
<b><u>Some realisations:</u></b>
- I barely pick up the phone to call my loved ones, because there are so many other easier ways to communicate quickly and then move on with something else I’m doing.
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">- I take pictures of EVERYTHING, just because I can. With a swipe right on my phone I can be on my camera without even having to put my password in. I have thousands of pictures that I never do anything with, and probably only about 3 photo albums in my house with physical pictures in them - unlike my parents who still make so many.
- I happily sit with my 3 housemates on the sofa and we ‘multi-task’ by watching tv, chatting and scrolling on our phones. It suits us because we want to hang out together, but also catch up on what we haven’t had the chance to look at during the day whilst in the office. But it always saddens me that this is the world we live in as I so often feel like i'm not fully present in a situation because i'm trying to do too many things at once. Do we really live in a time where we need to have 'mobile free nights' or leave our phones in our rooms for a bit so I fully embrace the time I spend with people?
- I very often go for dinner with friends and phones are always on/never far from the table. Yes, this can be good because we can show things quickly, or look something up which will add to our conversation, but it always makes me think about the fact that people coped absolutely fine when they had to call their friend the next day to give them that restaurant suggestion or email the holiday pictures.
- Are people actually listening? How many times do you think to yourself ‘Did they just hear what I said?’ - well for me, that is a lot. I’m sure I am just as guilty from time to time, but I am now so aware that so many people in my life are in a world of their own scrolling through rubbish online whilst I’m trying to have a conversation with them. The worst for me is when we are in public (which is just plain rude), as it makes me want to be doing something better with my time than talking to the equivalent of a brick wall.
- I don’t sleep very well. I look at so many gadgets between when I wake up and go to sleep so it’s no surprise that I lie restless in bed for a while before eventually falling asleep. This is because screens reduce the amount of melatonin your body produces (the hormone that controls your sleep cycle), and your phone also makes your brain more alert and less relaxed because of the amount of information your consuming. Sleep is so precious - so why make myself so tired?
We clearly all love our little gadgets, I know I couldn’t live without mine, but with all of the realisations above, it does make you think about the decisions you're making. It is clear that is our phones are making us far more sociable without having to leave our sofa, but they are also making us antisocial as we might not always be enjoying moments to the fullest.
I'm not saying I’m going to ditch the gadgets and go back to writing letters, but I fear myself and a lot of people I know are on the verge of/already have <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=13&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiilJu33orYAhWRzKQKHTkhBi0QFghiMAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FNomophobia&usg=AOvVaw1r2eH0KT-IRNtaMNizhzRw" target="_blank">nomophobia</a>. How about we put down our phones whilst with friends? Arrange to meet up with someone instead of finding out about their life via WhatsApp or Facebook? Stop scrolling through Instagram when we realise we’ve seen the same thing more than twice? Just make a conscious effort to look up from our screens and live in the real world instead of through our amazing, but pesky phones. I know I will be.
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-43931566079719881862017-11-18T12:29:00.000+00:002017-11-18T12:29:00.532+00:00Don't be afraid to re-invent yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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When I say re-invent yourself, I don't mean going the fully whammy and dying your hair, getting rid of all your clothes and radically changing every aspect of your life (although totally fine if you want to do that). I'm more talking about the fact that you shouldn't be afraid to change who you are because of what people will think of you if you aren't the same old person you've always been. I have spoken to so many people in the last year about how damaging (and also amazing) old relationships of all types can be. On the one side you have people who know you through and through, and can support you with things that are reoccurring in your life. However, on the other hand it means that people have the same expectations of you, and they think of you as the same person you were when you were 10, 15, 20...when sometimes that just isn't always the case.</div>
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I have made a lot of changes to my life in the last few years, all for the better, and I wouldn't ever look back. As a result of this, i've grown up, and changed as a person - whether that is in my fashion sense, hair colour, make up style, or more personally in my attitude to life and the people around me - there's no doubt about it, you can't always stay the same. I don't spend my time with some of the same people as I did 5 years ago, and there's nothing wrong with that. A lot of the time it isn't because it was some big conscious decision, but instead because we were friends through circumstance. I'm sure if I saw them now then things would be fine, but I doubt i'd go out of my way to arrange to make plans (however harsh that may sound). Life moves on, people change and move away, and there is literally nothing wrong with that. Sometimes friendships fade away, and as long as neither party is overly offended by that, then why are we spending so much time trying to force something that ultimately isn't making us happy? </div>
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What I have realised is that I am at my happiest by having little pockets of friends in lots of different places, and some are old friendships and some are new. Variety is the spice of life after all! Each friendship offers something new, and I have no doubt that I am a slightly different person with each of them. I don't mean that I am being two faced or fake, but instead that I offer different qualities to all the relationships, and those people offer me something different to what I get from my other friends. Some people I hang out with like drinking and partying, whereas others don't. Some like art galleries and exhibitions, and others don't. Some like eating all the amazing food in London, whereas others like to exercise with me. How on earth can you be the same person all the time when what you like and dislike is changing on a daily basis? Let yourself be more than one person, and re-invent yourself from time to time if something new sparks an interest in you that you didn't know was there. You're not doing anything wrong by putting yourself out of your comfort zone, and by socialising with someone new or different. You're actually developing yourself, learning new things, exploring new places, and becoming a more well-rounded person by doing so. </div>
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Don't get me wrong, the people who have been in my life for longer than a few years still mean the absolute world to me, but I would never want to put them in a box and only think of them in one way. They have changed, they have grown up, and although sometimes it may not work between you, more often than not, you realise that you're in it together. The best types of relationships are those where there is no pressure to see each other all the time, and that does not mean for one second that you care any less. It just means that you are respectful of each other's lives. We are all so bloody busy all the time, and we need to live our lives in a way that suits us best. Surround yourself with people who excite you, who fill your heart with warmth, and who bring you up when you're down. Whether you've known them a day, a month, a year or 10 years - it doesn't matter. You've re-invented yourself a number of times already, keep going - you never know who is waiting for you round the corner.</div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-60022823380171635902017-10-18T13:49:00.001+01:002017-10-18T13:55:38.048+01:00Taking some time for reflection<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px; text-align: center;">Today's blog post is a bit of a strange one as I am writing this from an airplane. Obviously I'm not actually posting it from the air, but I'm writing down my thoughts in notes on my phone whilst on a 13 hour flight to Bali. I'm 6 hours in and although I've spent 2 hours of that watching a movie, the majority of this flight so far has been spent staring out of the window and thinking. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;">The last few weeks in London have been so mad and I feel like I've hardly had any time for reflection. It's been so nice to just sit here for a couple of hours listening to music and thinking about all the time that has so quickly passed me by over the last few months to a year. I hate to be one of those people, but can you actually believe that we are almost at the end of the year already? How the hell did that happen?</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 16px;"> </span><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7GMvkd6JAWA/WVe9lJ85JuI/AAAAAAAAG-Q/ZOhHxYrtfN8NgfY-l5KLxssjwbuNQAeqACLcBGAs/s1600/Take%2Bsome%2Btime%2Bto%2Breflect%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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A couple of months ago I got a little mindfulness book from my friend Cara for my birthday and it says so much about the benefits of taking time to clear your mind and reflect - as it provides you with more thoughtful decision making about things currently happening, but also provides closure for things that need to be left in the past. That could be something small like worrying over a piece of work that you felt you could have done better on, or something bigger like a disagreement with a friend or an old relationship break down. We need to all remember how important it is to do a post-situational analysis on things that happen in life in order to work out how we can learn from them. After all, each day comes with new lessons and mistakes, so if you don't take time to reflect on them then you're just going to move so quickly that you spiral out of control without a second thought.</div>
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It needs to be recognised that being an adult can be a daily struggle. We live in a world where there are so many pressures from every angle; whether that's financial, mental, dietary, career related...god the list goes on. If I am completely honest, I don't know how we all get out of bed in the morning and go to work with the amount of stuff hanging over our heads.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It is tough because I know full well that the older generations think that 'millennials' always make out as if life is so difficult...but actually it bloody is! We are all often made to feel like being you isn't good enough because the moment you feel good about something, another thing comes by, hits you in the face and knocks you for six.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I guess this post (/rant) is a little acknowledgement to everyone - because I need to tell you that I'm proud of you. Try and take some time out of your busy life to reflect on that fact that although things aren't perfect, and there are elements of your life that you'd probably like to change...you're doing a bloody great job of keeping your head above water with the way things currently are. As strange as it sounds, I'm really glad that we all have our imperfect lives, because it means we are real, and we struggle with real problems which we each can learn from. They make you stronger as a person and allow you to go on to tackle life by kicking butt, and that is very inspiring.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Being up in the clouds for so long literally forces you to take a step back from everything, and I feel like mentally I have been so productive. I've thought about work, friends, money, relationships, food, music, clothes, my social calendar...so much. My brain has been positively working out what I'm doing with my life, where I want to be, and how I'm going to get there.</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Although you probably won't be able to jump on a plane to do the same, why not grab a cup of tea, sit down and makes some notes about the things you want to reflect on? Let your brain do it, I promise you'll feel better afterwards.</span></span></div>
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CTx</div>
</span>Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7738006674113540540.post-55385311930158642862017-09-03T21:51:00.000+01:002017-09-03T21:51:10.173+01:00Getting crafty with embroidery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="text-align: start;">I have been loving the embroidered trend that's been around for the last year, and I'm really glad to see that it has stayed around for so long through A/W last year and S/S this year. Stores have embroidered everything in sight and I think that it can add something really special to an minimal outfit. I am quite a big fan of a simple stylish look, so adding a pair of embroidered boots, or an embroidered bag can completely transform the look! </span>One evening I was feeling adventurous and thought that I would see if I could recreate one of these amazing embroidered looks myself by getting a little crafty. </div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">I spent hours googling how on earth I would do it and after quite a few youtube tutorials and pinterest board searches, I worked it out! The first stumbling block was that I didn't know what item of clothing I would want to do a DIY on....a skirt would look lovely, but I am quite particular about skirts so I didn't want to screw that one up; then I thought I could get a cheap clutch bag, but then I realised I couldn't be trusted ironing on to fake leather or fake suede. So I had a look through my wardrobe and realised that my go-to casual day outfit is a comfortable shirt, and I have been loving the simple fitted shirts appearing in every shop. </span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">A</span>s I own a couple of nice shirts already, I thought I would head to Primark to pick up a fairly inexpensive light blue one, in case I completely ruined it! I searched around the internet to try and find the perfect floral design, and eventually bought a patch from eBay for a couple of pounds. I got the iron out to stick the design on with some webbing from Poundland and I was amazed that it only a couple of minutes to do. You cut the webbing out and place it on the back of areas you want to stick down, not forgetting to get bits in to the corners where it may become undone through wearing it.</div>
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I was so pleased with the result of my crafty afternoon, so I filmed a little OOTD video whilst out in Kensington to show it off. Let me know what you think! </div>
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Life At Victoria House http://www.blogger.com/profile/10632390110311106129noreply@blogger.com5