Monday, 5 July 2021 / ,

Return to Blogging

 If you find yourself reading this - Hello! Recently I've been thinking a bit about what makes me happy and blogging is one of those things, so I've decided to give it some attention again. It's something I mostly keep to myself because I'm quite happy having little to no readers. I don't feel all that comfortable sharing myself on Instagram at the moment (anyone else feel the same?) and I know that that would be the main source of readers. I've been mainly using Instagram for my small business account and then just to browse on, and have rather built up a fear of posting stories and personal things!




I do feel though, that using social media in such a passive way isn't the best for our collective mental health and productivity. Blogging, however unpopular it seems now, feels much more authentic and a place where you can really get to know people in more depth. 



I'm going to be quite casual about how I post on here, treating it as a bit of an online diary that other people can read if they like! 


Cardigan - Marks & Spencer
Jeans -  Depop (H&M)
Necklace - Neckontheline
Shoes - Converse

We took these photos today to warm up the old camera (I honestly don't know how it still functions). I chose to wear a simple outfit I've been living in at the moment, and which inspired me to start thinking about the concept of a forever wardrobe and focusing on investing on things you're going to wear frequently and for a long time! (I'm working on an in-depth post on this subject). I bought this cardigan new from M&S last year and have worn it so much - its made of cotton so it never gets bobbly and will last for years and years. It also goes with just about everything! The hunt for the perfect pair of jeans really is never ending, however these are so comfortable I find myself wearing them most days. They're a size too big for me, but I like the vintage look of them with the straight leg and button fly! I've just purchased the same pair in the size down and a different wash so I have a different option too. Of course I've also got on my trusty old pair of converse which I got off ebay for peanuts. They're just a good everyday shoe! However when they eventually bite the dust I think I'll invest in the new style that have more cushioning on the sole as these aren't the best for getting my 9'000 steps in! The necklace is from a brand who make waterproof jewellery, this means that the gold plating stays intact! My pet hate is buying nice jewellery and it looking tired and unwearable after a few months. 
I feel very me in this outfit, and I feel pretty happy and accomplished for making this blog post! (and not looking terribly awkward in the photos!) I have a feeling I'll be back very soon. X



Photos by Rudi
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Wednesday, 3 February 2021 /

Starting a small business during lockdown

 Lockdown certainly has it's challenges and I don't doubt that it's been one of the weirdest/hardest years of many of our lives so far. However if you too are a fellow introvert and homebody, you may have found a glimmer of comfort and even joy in being told to stay at home for the foreseeable future.

For many it's been a chance to slow down and take some time off. For me, it's been the perfect opportunity to  take a leap of faith and do something I never thought I would have the ability to do - start a small business all on my own!  



I've always loved fashion, drawing, designing, making, fabric, photography and basically all things arty and creative. Unfortunately, I hated being at school and definitely didn't reach my full potential as a result and by the time I had left I didn't have much belief in myself or my abilities. 
 I fully believe that the stars aligned and gave me an unmissable chance to pursue something. Due to lockdown, I dropped the job I resented, I had all the time in the world to focus on something new, I had enough money to buy a bit of fabric, all the sewing equipment I could need (thanks to my mum). I started by tracing round some of my clothes onto paper, making a pattern (which took a lot of trial and error) and making a dress out of an old bed sheet dyed with turmeric! It turned out so much better than I could have imagined, and with that came the confidence that I needed to really get going. 


 There was, of course, a lot of learning to be done (thanks Youtube!) and I worked hard all through the Summer and Autumn of 2020, finally releasing my first collection on Etsy just before Christmas. Business was very slow to begin with and I had my fair share of sadness and doubt, but I eventually started to make some sales and it was so exciting! Getting messages from customers who loved what I was doing made it all feel worthwhile. I have learnt so much over the past year, and I'm proud of myself for hanging on in there and allowing myself to grow.


My aim is to keep my new business as small as possible, while aspiring to grow until it's a stable job for me - but we'll see! I'm currently working on a collection to launch this spring and will be working to make Someday as inclusive and sustainable as I can in the future!

You can find my ready to ship items on my Etsy shop here and The Someday Instagram account here

Thank you so much for reading! x


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Sunday, 2 August 2020 /

A Week in Outfits

Sunday
Dress - Next
Cardigan - (Depop) H&M
Bag - (Depop) See by Chloe
Trainers - (Ebay) New Balance

Monday
T-shirt - (Ebay) H&M
Jeans - (Depop) Topshop
Cardigan - (Charity shop - very old) H&M 
Slippers... incase you're interested? - Marks & Spencer

Tuesday
T-shirt - (Ebay) H&M
Jeans - (Depop) Topshop
Leather Jacket - (Depop) Zara
Bag - (Depop) See by Chloe
Trainers - (Ebay) Converse

Wednesday
T-shirt - (Hand me down) BDG
Corduroy culottes - (Depop) H&M
Trainers - (Charity shop) Vans
Sunglasses - Tiger
Earrings - Primark

Thursday
Top - (Depop) H&M
Jeans - (Depop) Topshop
Trainers - (Ebay) Converse
Necklace - Ebay

Friday
T-shirt - (Ebay) H&M
Jeans - (Depop) Topshop
Cardigan - (Depop) Newlook
Slippers - M&S
Necklace - Anthropologie

Saturday
T-shirt - (Ebay) H&M
Jeans - (Depop) Topshop
Cardigan - (Depop) Zara
Bag - (Depop) See by Chloe
Necklace - Anthropologie
Boots - (Depop) Caravelle

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Monday, 4 November 2019 /

A Wool Coat, 90's Boots and a Luxury Bag

 Happy November! I'm really loving this month so far (all four days of it). However, I've already broken by No-Buy-November rule... I knew it would be difficult to maintain because charity shopping is such an opportunistic sport - most pieces tend to be one-offs, especially if they're old, so you have to buy it or loose it! And I do feel that my finds were justified and have long lives ahead of them. 
 I'm so happy with how these pictures turned out - though the fringe is on thin ice *patiently waits for it to grow out*! 
 Now that the evenings are getting darker and the weather more unpredictable, it can be hard to find the opportunity to go out and shoot, especially when me and Rudi are juggling different work schedules. But somehow we both managed to be free on the crispest, most golden day yet which was lovely.

 


I've been without a smart wool coat since I outgrew my last one several years ago, and this one that I found in Sue Ryder ticks all the boxes - It's black so will go with everything, a nice midi-length, and it's 80% wool so suitable for someone who's always cold! I think this is such a good staple that I can throw over almost anything and look a bit more dressed up and put together. I know I'll have this coat for many, many seasons to come, and at just £10 it was well worth buying.





Though I wasn't in need of another pair of black ankle boots, this pair fit like a glove in the softest leather. They're fleece-lined for warmth and feature a very 90's square toe and heel. They're worn in (which I like) and a little scuffed so they cost me just £2 - I KNOW. They may be a nod to the past, but I think they're pretty timeless as they're so simple and classic. Another wear with anything staple - and they cost me less than a coffee.





Last, but definitely not least is this See by Chloe bag. I found this beauty on Depop completely unused - and for half the price that it retails for on Net-a-Porter. Even bought second hand, it was a bit of an indulgent purchase for me as it was still expensive! I initially planned on keeping it wrapped up until Christmas day, but I couldn't resist using it immediately - the lower the cost-per-wear the better! I was a bit skeptical about the size of it as it is technically a mini-bag, but I can actually fit all I need into it (and not break my shoulder in the process). My only problem is that it wont fit my reusable water bottle in it... Not to self - hydrate intensely before and after leaving the house!
 This purchase goes to show that even people who enjoy designer items, and prefer their purchases brand new and unused can find what they're looking for second hand. This kind of purchase is rare for me, but when you know you'll love and use something forever, I feel it's often worth paying more for something that feels special to you.    





Coat - Charity Shop (Zara)
Jumper - Ebay (H&M)
Bag - Depop (See by Chloe)
Jeans - Primark (old)
Boots - Charity Shop (brand unknown)

Photos by Rudi
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Thursday, 31 October 2019 / ,

A Walk in the Woods and a Hand Me Down Jacket

On me and Rudi's day off, we headed up into the woods with my Grandparents dogs to enjoy one of the last days of October. It was also a perfect excuse to bring out this wool plaid coat/shirt/jacket...shacket? That was handed down to me from my sister (thanks Rosie!). It's great to be able to wear and enjoy something that someone else has stopped finding a use for. Me and my sister may have very different styles, but there's always times when we swap and hand things down to each other which is nice!



It's a more oversized, masculine style than I would usually choose myself, but I really like how loose and cozy it is and how it dresses down any outfit. It also fits nicely in with the rest of my wardrobe as it's plaid, which is very autumnal, yet the colour palette is neutral - so it pretty much goes with everything.


I absolutely love this time of year - It's crisp enough to bring out the jackets and coats, but there's not yet a need to wrap up in hats and gloves like you're on an arctic expedition. Recently, I've been wanting to spend more time out in the countryside, patiently waiting for all of the leaves to change colour! With the nights getting darker so much earlier now, It's hard to not feel a bit sluggish and tired and I find that getting out for a walk helps.




I can't wait to get out and take more photos, and appreciate the changing of the seasons at the same time. Once November comes around, I'm in full Christmas mode! This year I want to be much more conscious of my consumerism, and as part of that I'm going to attempt No-Buy-November. This means I'm going to avoid buying any clothes for myself for a month and if I find something I really have to have, I'll put it on my Christmas list (if I cave in and buy it for myself, I have to wrap it up!) This challenge may not be doable for me, but we shall see...!
As much as I've always loved shopping second hand for myself, I've never delved into the world of second hand present-buying, but this year I'm going to give it a try and see what I can find for my friends and family.



Jacket - Hand me down (Charity shop/unknown brand)
Jeans - Depop (Zara)
Boots - Depop (Urban Outfitters)

Photos by Rudi
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Wednesday, 9 October 2019 /

Charity Shop Jeans

I stay in my lane when it comes to jeans. Since the return of the high-rise waistline, I've loyally stuck to it. From the comfort of the Topshop Joni jeans (who remembers wearing these everyday?) to the re-done straight leg Levis that are everywhere now. because I have such exacting requirements, I usually go straight to Ebay or Depop when I want new denim, as you can find the exact style and size you're after... I've even caved in and bought a couple of pairs from Primark recently, despite the guilt, because jeans are JUST. SO. HARD. TO. FIND.  

Jumper - charity shop (H&M)
Jeans - charity shop (Zara)
Shoes - Vans
Necklace - vintage
Hair slides - Accessorize


When it comes to scouting for jeans in charity shops, patience and perseverance are needed in bucket loads. Finding something you like the style of is one thing (the rails are usually bulging with hipster flares with diamantes and elasticated waist granny slacks in varying shades of beige) but finding a pair that fit? Like finding a needle in a haystack. Because of this I rarely give the trousers section much attention, but I've learned my lesson after finding a pair that I actually wanted to come home with, despite the fact they didn't tick all my boxes... 



I was initially skeptical about this pair of dark wash straight leg jeans because they aren't high waisted. I would be stepping out of my comfort zone, but when I tried them on I really liked how they fitted. I'd say that they were "Dad jeans" because of the relaxed shape, I love that they don't taper in at the ankle in any way, and I think what stops them looking like they literally belong to my dad is that they end just above the ankle, which I think makes them more feminine.
I paired them with this pale grey jumper, which I actually bought at the same time as the jeans. I love how thick the knit is *cold girl essential*, the boxy and slightly cropped shape, and the uncool cricket jumper-esque v-neck. With the vans and hair slides, I feel a bit like i'm off to nursery, but I'm kind of into it! 


I guess the moral of the story is - don't be disheartened when you don't find anything, second hand shopping takes patience, perseverance and an open mind. 
Which leads me on to the second thing I've learned - It's great to know what you like, but try not to pigeon-hole your style. If you shop with an open mind and just try different things, you might end up finding something new to love! 






Photos by Rudi
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Sunday, 6 October 2019 / ,

You Deserve Good Things!

 Back at the beginning of September, I was getting lunch in M&S when I spotted a pair of boots out of the corner of my eye and stopped in my tracks. This is a very rare occurrence, but I knew these Bellatrix Lestrange/Victorian ice-skate-esque boots had to be mine. 


A few days (of thinking about the boots) later I went back for them, dragging my brother, sister and boyfriend with me for approval. I tried them on (really comfy) and agonised in front of the mirror before putting them back on the shelf, then went back for them and put them back again, before finally, just as we were about to leave for home I ran back into M&S to buy them. Even in the queue I was riddled with guilt and Rudi had to convince me that I wasn't a bad person for buying myself something new, and let's be honest, not a necessity.


 I'm glad to report that i'm over the buyers guilt now as I strut around in my Bellatrix boots, but it got me thinking about why we think we shouldn't do things that bring us joy and why we feel we don't deserve things. I'm not only talking about material purchases here, but other things in life that we somehow don't feel like we're worthy of.
 A huuuge example of this is my blogging/not blogging journey. I've actually had this account for TEN procrastination filled years, each time I started something i'd feel like it was rubbish and not worth anyone's time, I'd ask myself why would anyone want to follow me? or want to look at photos of me? I didn't think I was good enough, and as a result have missed out on a decade of doing what I really wanted to do. 



 I think most people suffer with a bit of self doubt and low self-worth sometimes, but you don't have to be a brain surgeon, high flying businesswoman, or anything else in that realm to believe that you are intelligent, kind and deserving of your aspirations. Start the project! Apply for the dream job! Eat the cake! Buy the boots! 



Boots - Marks & Spencer
Jeans - Primark
Jumper - Depop (H&M)
Headband - Primark

Photos by Rudi



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