Sunset Desires: October 2020

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Today's post is a little bit different from the type of posts I usually write, as today I'm going to be writing about being comfortable in your own skin. I'm joining the #WeLoveReal campaign with @welovedates who are promoting the message of being comfortable in your own skin, owning what makes you unique and what you love about yourself. This is something I struggled with when I was younger but as I'm getting older, it's getting easier and easier to be more comfortable with myself and actually like myself. I'm not saying I'm perfect and don't have bad days, because I do, but I've learnt to have less and less of them as time goes on.

Don't Compare Yourself To Others

I think this is one of the biggest factors when it comes to being down about yourself because we tend to compare ourselves to others, especially with the rise of social media and the visuals on Instagram with filters and photoshopping. It's evolved from a few years ago where most of the comparison happening was with airbrushed models in magazines that don't even look like that themselves, to today where it's your average person on Instagram.

It's getting harder and harder to differentiate between what's real and what's filtered online so my main advice is don't compare yourself to others whether their picture is filtered or not. It's easier said than done, I know, but once I stopped doing that it definitely became easier to like myself even on rougher days.

Be Unique And The Real You

Following on from not comparing, another great piece of advice is to be unique and be the real you. Take, for example, me as a fashion blogger. I feel under pressure to always follow the trends so I can keep up with everyone else on Instagram but it just isn't sustainable for me. I feel way more comfortable and confident in clothes I actually like that I haven't just copied from everyone else. Don't get me wrong, if I do like a trend, I will wear them but I try not to buy something just because it's on trend if I don't like it.

Let Your Personality Shine

I've got to the point in life where I know who I am as a person and what my true personality is like. I try not to act fake around others and I let my real personality shine through. If certain people don't like me, then so what? I know I have my family, my friends, my boyfriend and most importantly myself who do like me for me.

When I met my boyfriend, I was worried he wouldn't like my personality. I met him through a dating site where visuals are always first before personality, but I needn't have worried as he loved the real me because I was true to myself and who I am as a person. 4 years later and we are still going strong. Not everyone is going to like you but don't take that to heart, that's probably a reflection of themselves and probably not what they really think deep down anyway. Pay them no mind and get on with your own life with the people you love and you will be much happier.

So, to round things off, don't compare yourself to others, you are amazing how you are. Be unique and the real you and let your personality shine through. You will be much happier and a lot more confident if you follow these suggestions. I know I am! Let me know in the comments below your top tip for being comfortable in your own skin as well as your favourite thing you love about yourself and while you are here why not check out more of my lifestyle content?

Every Body Is Beach Ready

Making The Right Life Decisions For You

25 October No comments

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So you have your big prom coming up. What do you do first to prepare? Pick a prom dress of course. This is arguably the most fun part of getting everything ready for prom and today I'm going to be helping you out to decide where and what prom dress you should buy.

First Steps To Picking A Dress

Firstly, you should research the style of dress you would like. This should give you a rough idea of what dresses to look for once you actually go to buy it. There are so many styles of dress that it could be overwhelming if you don't pick a few styles out as your favourites.

Just some of the many styles available are:

Ball Gown
Mermaid
Knee Length
Embroidered
Lace
Off The Shoulder
Strapless
V-Neck
Halter
Sweetheart
Two-Piece
Sequinned

So you see just how many styles of dress are available just from my list alone. If you can narrow some of the details down such as the length, sleeve type, material and neckline then it will make it easier when it comes to searching for the exact dress you want.

Give Yourself Time and A Budget

Once you've got an idea of the type of dress you would like to look for, then come up with a budget and stick to it. You don't want to find a gorgeous dress only to realise it's too expensive. Only scout out dresses within that range so you don't leave feeling disappointed that you couldn't buy the dream dress you saw that was out of your original budget.

Also, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to choose your prom dress as it may seem your prom is months away but buying a dress isn't always as quick as it seems. It might be that you don't find a dress you like the first few times you go shopping or in most cases, the dress will have to go and be altered to fit you perfectly.

Make It A Fun Day Out

Once you've decided on some styles you like, picked a budget and have scouted out a few shops, why not make it a fun day out? Take a friend or a family member with you shopping as they can help you decide if a dress is right for you and will give you a different perspective. While you are there, try on some other styles or colours you might not have previously considered. You might be surprised what actually suits you. Don't just buy the first dress you see as you might start to hate it and wish you'd looked more before prom even comes around.

If you are planning on buying your dress online, I suggest you still go out to some shops to try similar dresses on to see what you think. It will not only give you an idea of how you look in it but you might find something you like more.

Work Out The Finer Details

Although the best part of getting prepared for prom is the dress shopping, you still need to consider other aspects of your overall prom look before you set anything in stone. You will also need to shop for accessories to complete the look such as bags, shoes, jewellery etc. Make sure everything you pick goes together. There is no point picking, for example, gold jewellery if your dress is going to be mostly silver-based, but of course, the end result is entirely up to you.

And finally, you also need to consider what hairstyle you will be having on the day along with what makeup you will be wearing. Try going for an appointment before the day of prom so you can try out the look you want to go for to see if it will work.

Overall I would say just have fun with it. It doesn't need to be stressful and whatever look you decide, you will have a fun night in the end.

Let me know in the comments below what style prom dress you are looking for or if you've already been to prom what was you dress like? While you are here why not check out more of my fashion posts?

First Class Style - Graduation Outfits

On Trend: How To Work With Ruching

23 October 1 comments

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If you have the dreaded “but my website is a mess” fear setting in, then now is the perfect time to do something about it and stop shying away from handing out your websites address when they ask how to find you online.

Nothing stays the same and that should be the case with your website. Here’s a list of things you will want to consider improving and updating in order to proudly share your website with prospective clients.

Keep it Simple, Yet Bold

Let’s be honest, no one wants to read long pages of text on a bland white background.

Why not opt for a bold block colour which complements your brand colours and works as a suitable background for your text. The less detailed the design, the faster the loading time and therefore the higher your user retention.

Having fewer pages also means having shorter snippets of information which isn’t a bad thing. Users will never remember that 600-word essay that took you 2 months to draft up – just use bullet points. Honestly, for things like services, bullet points make it easier for you users to see immediately where and what your services are.

If you’re using responsive web design then you’re already onto a winner as your users are probably going to discover you on their mobiles or tablets, and if your website doesn’t look right straight away they’re going to look elsewhere.

Give Them A Taster

Harnessing the power of augmented reality is a simple an effective layer to latch onto your client’s engagement power. Software on your website can be used to make images interactive, and better help your user to envision your product in their life.

Think about the top dogs for a minute. IKEA use augmented imagery to place the furniture in your home and ASOS makes the most of having catwalk access virtually by uploading 360° videos.

Remember, it’s not just on your website where augmented reality can be used. Think about adding QR codes to business cards so you can directly lead your clients to your website or social media pages. It’ll show that you are up to date and willing to push your business into further with the help of modern technology.

Let Everyone See Your Business

When you want to get noticed as a business online, responsive web design is the best method to demonstrate you’re up to speed with the latest online features.

When the internet is everywhere, you need to be too. Otherwise you should be upto 90% certain of losing out on business. Stockport website design have decades of experiencing in giving businesses a helping hand upto the top rankings on Google and increasing their social media presence.

Overwhelmed by the thought that your website isn’t good enough to show off? Get the best web development services in the UK with responsive web design.

While you are here why not check out more of my business posts?

What To Consider When Setting Up A Business

How To Be Less Wasteful At Work

22 October No comments

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I'm back again with another fashion post. This time I'll be going through a few different winter trends with you from Katch Me. Katch Me have a lovely selection of items so to only pick 3 was quite a difficult task as I wanted everything! The three winter trends we will be looking at today are vinyl, milkmaid dresses and check shirts.

First, I'm going to start with a milkmaid dress. It's in this absolutely gorgeous black and white heart print that really stands out. I've had a lot of lovely comments about it over on my Instagram. It has the milkmaid sleeves that puff out at the top, with ruched detailing on the bottom part of the sleeve. I think that is a gorgeous extra addition. It also has a low cut chest with cup shapes too. It goes in quite nicely at the waist which is always a good thing. To add extra warmth for winter I would probably pair it with a thick pair of black tights.

Next up, we have the final two trends, the check shirt and the vinyl which I've picked in the form of this amazing pair of vinyl trousers.

Let's start with the shirt first. It is this lovely oversized navy and white check long-sleeved shirt. It's a fantastic piece that I will definitely get my wear out of throughout winter. It will go with a lot of other items in my wardrobe as it can be worn so many different ways. Here I have worn it open and unbuttoned but a couple of other ways to wear it is: buttoned up and tucked into some trousers or a skirt, worn open with a hoodie underneath (the warmest option) and finally half buttoned up and the bottom half tied in a knot. Let me know in the comments below which way you would prefer to wear it.

Then lastly, we have this amazing pair of black vinyl trousers which come with a chain attached. I thought the chain was a super awesome detail that definitely adds to the cool factor of this outfit. They are a really great fit, especially around the waist which is something I sometimes struggle with. They also have pockets! You can never go wrong with pockets in my opinion. The last detail is that they are cuffed at the bottom in the same way most joggers are which again I think is a great detail. Overall I really love these trousers and again I think I'll be able to come up with so many winter outfits with them.

What other winter trends should I try next? Let me know in the comments below and while you are here why not check out more of my fashion content?

Second Hand September Buys

Femme Luxe Mix And Match

21 October No comments

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As we move through different stages of our lives, we often don’t consider how each might turn out in the future.

We might have general ideas about buying homes or getting married, but the logistics of how these major life events occur can prove to be hazy and not set in stone. We assume when the time is right, everything will work out the way it should.

Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case.

For example, what happens when getting pregnant isn’t easy, and your eggs are no longer viable? Suddenly, you’re buried with questions about the cost of donor eggs and whether a fresh or frozen cycle is right for you.

Conceiving a child with the help of an egg donor isn’t the direction most of us expect our lives to take. Thankfully, when push comes to shove - and other treatment options aren’t working – donor eggs are a proven fertility option, which can lead to the family you’ve been hoping for.

Qualifying for Donor Eggs: Could It Work for You?

One of the great benefits of using an egg donor is most prospective parents qualify for the process. With this fact in mind, it’s worth noting some individuals are more likely to require this treatment option than others.

If you’re dealing with the following circumstances or conditions, there’s a good chance you may be an ideal candidate for donor eggs:

Being over the age of 40
Premature ovarian failure
Low ovarian reserves
PCOS
Genetic diseases
Previous treatment for diseases, such as cancer
Poor egg quality
Unexplained infertility

Another indicator of donor egg candidacy is when you’ve repeatedly tried alternative treatments, such as IUI or IVF, with no success.

Are Fresh or Frozen Donor Eggs Right for You?

You might think the act of choosing to use donor eggs is hard enough, but the tough decisions don’t end there. You’ll also need to decide whether a fresh or frozen donor egg cycle is right for you and your family.

It’s a common misconception that fresh donor eggs are of higher quality than frozen. While this might have been true in years past, advancements in oocyte freezing have changed the landscape of donor egg treatment.

Thanks to an innovative technology known as vitrification, donor eggs can now be flash-frozen to prevent deterioration and ice crystal formation. Due to this technique, more frozen donor eggs are surviving thawing, as well.

If you’re interested in using one of the most successful, affordable, and simple fertility treatments currently available, frozen eggs are your best option.

Fresh vs Frozen Donor Eggs

A fresh egg donation requires a delicate song and dance between yourself and your donor.

Your reproductive cycles must be perfectly synchronized, so your donor’s eggs are ready to be collected while your body is prepared for the embryo transfer. This process entails a rigorous course of medications, doctor’s appointments, and screening protocols.

Not only is all this expensive, but it can also lead to higher rates of cycle cancellations, which can be devastating to the prospective parent(s).

On the other hand, when you’re ready to begin your frozen donor egg cycle, your chosen donor eggs are readily available. All it takes is choosing your donor and having her egg lot shipped to your fertility clinic.

From there, your body will be prepared using medications such as progesterone and estrogen. Then when your body is ready, your doctor will use a thin catheter to place the fertilized eggs directly into your uterus.

Infertility Isn’t the End of Your Conception Journey

Whether you’re a young person struggling with premature ovarian failure or an older individual dealing with poor egg quality, frozen donor eggs can help you overcome the trying experience of infertility.

Most of us don’t grow up planning to use an egg donor. However, when the need arises, donor eggs present an incredible opportunity to escape the difficulties of infertility and hopefully conceive the baby you’ve been longing for.

We must remember it’s not about the journey we take to get somewhere; it’s the reward we receive at the end which truly matters.

While you are here why not check out more of my lifestyle posts?

Why Listening To Your Body Is Important

Making The Right Life Decisions For You

20 October No comments

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Mixing completely contrasting styles seems to be all the rage at the moment, so I thought I'd try it too. For example, sports and luxe wear or smart and casual. Today I'll be taking 3 pieces from Femme Luxe and trying it out myself. I have gone for mixing sporty and more glam to see what I can come up with and whether they work well together.

Firstly, I've started by picking out 2 sportswear pieces. These lovely pink joggers and an oversized casual t-shirt. I think they work well together to create a casual, sporty, loungewear type look. The joggers are very soft and comfortable and I'll definitely be wearing this inside and outside the house. I have so many things I think they will go really well with. The t-shirt has this super cool print on it and again can be paired with lots of other things. It's also a very oversized piece so it could also be worn as a dress if you are petite. For the ultimate casual, sporty vibe, wearing these pieces without any accessories is the way to go with this one.

For the more luxe, glamorous piece, I have picked this gorgeous black satin dress with ruching up the side. This can be adjusted to make the dress shorter or longer, depending on your preference. I already have this satin dress in red which I've featured on my blog before. You should definitely check that post out for more Femme Luxe goodness. I loved it that much I decided I needed it in black too. I think this dress will go with so much that I already have in my wardrobe. I can't wait to see what else I can work it with.

For the more glam look, I paired the satin dress with my trusty cream roll neck (you may remember I paired the red satin dress with my black roll neck). I love layering items like this, especially in Winter in the colder weather as I think it not only adds warmth but it adds a chicness to the look too. In the dead of Winter I would probably also add a thick pair of black tights for added warmth. I added a necklace and some accessories to give it a finished, polished look.

For the next look, I wanted to go a bit more of a simple look. I decided to try tucking the dress into the joggers to turn it into a strappy top. Doing this adds a whole new dimension to your wardrobe. Try it sometime. Pick your favourite dress and try tucking it into your favourite trousers or skirt and see what you think. This is the more sports luxe style I was talking about that I wanted to try together. I feel I could have elevated it a bit more with a bit of a statement necklace to finish off the look though.

For the last look I paired together the satin dress with the oversized t-shirt to give the ultimate cool girl vibes. I love the layering to this once again as it adds so much more dimension to the outfit. Add some accessories and some knee high boots and you are ready to go.

So which look out of these five outfits was your favourite? Are you more sporty or more glamorous? What would you pair each piece with? Let me know in the comments below and while you are here why not check out more of my fashion content?

Second Hand September Buys

Femme Luxe Loungewear

19 October 2 comments

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Setting up a business and becoming your own boss is an exciting yet overwhelming decision. There are lots of things to think about which might be making you feel quite anxious. The trick is to slow down and get yourself a trusty notepad so that you can write down your ideas and priorities. Make sure you’re 100% ready before you take the next step.

Consider your business name and branding, your target audience and other logistics like where you plan to operate from. Will you need to rent an office or a store, or can you operate from your home? Will you need to hire staff, or will you be a one-man band for the time being? If you’re hiring staff, will they need to have any qualifications or can they be trained on the job?

You’ll need to register with HMRC so that you don’t end up facing any tax mix-ups. Do some research into whether or not it would be better for you to operate as a sole trader or a limited business and start to track your expenses, like office furniture or a new computer. If you’re not really a numbers kind of person, it’s probably worth hiring an accountant to deal with this side of the business.

Get yourself a website set up, perhaps with some help from an SEO agency so that your prospective customers/clients can find you online. A fully optimised website is an absolute must nowadays and it needs to work well across all different types of devices. In fact, if you want people to know you exist, marketing should be one of your key priorities, both digital and otherwise. You could take promotional pens along to any of your upcoming pitch meetings, invest in a sign or hand out flyers. When it comes to marketing, there are countless options, so do your research and find out what works for your competitors.

Take your time and get some professional advice if you think that will help. This is a big step in your career, and you should keep an open mind. There will be bumps in the road but with some hard work and perseverance, you should eventually succeed.

What other things would you consider when setting up a business? Let me know in the comments below and while you are here why not check out more of my lifestyle content?

How To Be Less Wasteful At Work

Making The Right Life Decisions For You

16 October No comments