Time for a new start

It's that time of year again when dramatic and sometimes drastic statements about new ways of living are often made, and usually swiftly broken. But not for me.

I gave up making generic and unachievable resolutions years ago and instead, now make a few smaller, more realistic goals that are easier to stick to. So, here's my ambitions and aims for 2013 and how I'm planning on achieving them.

1. Take charge of my finances
Much like my best friend Zsa Zsa, I've finally realised over the past year that maybe, rather than spending every hard-earned penny in Primark, I should have actually saved some money for a rainy day. Now I find myself in my thirtieth year, without a home to call my own - but a wardrobe bulging with, well, crap mostly. 
My spending habits have improved drastically over the past year but still, if I'm ever to fulfill my dreams, efforts must be doubled. Therefore starting from my January paycheck I will be saving 20% of my monthly wage on payday - then also saving anything that remains at the end of the month. I'm not saving up for anything in particular (apart from the dream house) but a rainy day fund never hurt anyone. The Boy will also be setting up an ISA (whether he likes it or not). 

Image by Rosie's Armoire

2. Get planning
This year I want to make time to see my true friends and family more. There were some tough times last year, people showed their true colours (both bad and good) and it really made me see who is important in my life. Last year we went to many a wedding but this year I want to visit people for no other reason than that I enjoy their company. The diary is out and I'm already planning plenty of weekends away and days out to see some of my favourite people. So, whether it's a weekend in Cambridge with the cousin, New York with my family and The Boy, Easter in Somerset or a night of Karaoke with my uni girls, 2013 looks set to be packed with fun times - I already cannot wait.

3. When an idea makes sense, do it
Ideas come in many different shapes and sizes and can lead us in many different directions, but if the past year has taught me anything, it's to go with my gut. If something doesn't seem right, it usually isn't, so don't waste your energy on lost causes. This year I will be taking charge and making decisions that I know will have a positive impact on the life I lead. Therefore, whether The Boy likes it or not, I will be buying a shredder and a blender. And a push top kitchen bin. 

4. Get back on the healthy eating bandwagon
Weight Watchers has very much been on the back burner of late but all the overindulgence throughout December has truly taken its toll and it's time to kick things up a notch. 
After only one week of 2013 I'm already 3lbs down all thanks to a touch of willpower, plenty of salads and lots of long walks - plus a little help from the Londoner's Anti Diet! The guilt free ice cream is to die for.

5. Stop procrastinating, start doing
One of my new years resolutions is to give up reading the Daily Mail online and even though it's only been a few days the changes this has brought about have been life changing (no, I'm not exaggerating). I literally feel as though I have given myself the gift of time. For example on Thursday night alone, not only did I find time when I arrived home from work to reply to two emails, make tomorrows lunch and clean the bathroom, but I was even able to put my feet up and *shock horror* relax. Who would have thought it, there is life beyond badly written gossip portraying itself as news. 

6. Support causes I believe in and push myself out of my comfort zone
In October I ran the Royal Parks Half Marathon for NDCS and I am currently anxiously waiting to find out whether I'll be able to take part again this year. The difference now is that I cannot wait to complete this challenge again, whereas last year I was absolutely terrified. I ended up raising far more than I had anticipated for a great charity and proved something to myself along the way.

Another cause close to my heart is that of Cellardoor magazine. A fantastic online read that is the brainchild of two of my closest friends, Cellardoor now has the opportunity to move into print media - so, if you're feeling generous please make a pledge here to support this beautiful magazine.

Image courtesy of Cellardoor magazine

I will keep you updated (as usual) with how I'm getting on with my new years resolutions and I'd love to hear how you've been going with yours - happy 2013!

September's suggested reading

 

Back in my uni days I was lucky enough to live with two excitable, crazy and utterly wonderful girls called Jade and Amy, who have gone on to become two of my closest friends, even though we no longer live together. We've spent many a day together wandering the streets of London, going to carboot sales, jumble sales and eating burgers - basically eating, shopping and laughing - what could be better?

Jade and Amy are the proud founders and editors of the fantastic Cellardoor magazine, an online read that I look forward to reading each season to see what's new in fashion, film, music, food and everything in between (lets face it, Amy and Jade are far cooler than I'll ever be - they help me keep up with the latest trends). Not only is the content great but the magazine design is simply beautiful, the fonts and illustrations are gorgeous and are so in the style of Jade and Amy.

The Summer 2012 issue includes a great feature on my current favourite band, Of Monsters and Men, some delicious looking recipes that I can't wait to try (including this Cheesy Asparagus Tart), wonderful fashion photography shoots and exciting make up recommendations - basically I can never get anything done until I've read it from cover to cover.

Cellardoor is an online, quarterly magazine for young, stylish and confident women. Offering everything from art, culture and music to fashion and beauty, there's a little something for everyone - read the latest issue here.

A very vintage wedding

Friends come and go but sometimes in life you meet those really special people who you have a lifelong connection with. One of those people for me is my uni friend Emma (along with all the other girls I hung around with during my degree course, no exceptions) whose sunny outlook, good advice and sense of fun make her a hugely important part of my life.

A couple of weeks back The Boy and I hit the road, left the big smoke and headed to the market town of Marlborough to see Emma marry her wonderful now-husband Kyle.

Clockwise from top left: The gorgeous wedding programme - Jade of Cellardoor Magazine

 and I enjoy afternoon tea in the sunshine - The gorgeous bridesmaid dresses from Hobbs (and a mini version - so cute!) - The beautiful wedding car

The happy couple

The day turned out to be a truly special one - from Emma's beautiful dress, to the wonderful wedding car, the delicious food, and the perfect setting - no detail had been left to chance and the The Boy and I had a lovely time. The setting was so romantic, both at the village church and at the town hall where the reception was held - the day was quintessentially Emma and Kyle, to a tee.

It was great to see everyone again and share in the occasion, here's some snaps of the day.

Clockwise from top left: Emma's beautiful wedding dress - Pimms o'clock - The happy couple outside the church - The table settings, featuring vintage style postcards for name cards (with personal messages from the bride and groom)

Clockwise from top left: hands down, the most delicious wedding cake I've ever tasted. EVER. Red velvet and by the supremely talented Restoration Cake - Me with the beautiful Imogen, Naomi and Suze - The reception - Emma and Amy - The first dance - The lovely ladies: Suze, Amy, Lollie and Jade - Can't beat a sweets bar - The beautiful Amy, Olivia and Sally

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Holloway - wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!

Favourite online reads: Cellardoor

I’ve been getting really into unwinding at the end of the day by catching up on my favourite blogs via bloglovin  and hellocotton (I’ll be updating my series of “Blog of the week” posts in the next few days, so watch this space for an insight into the blogs that float my boat). As much as I love reading monthly fashion magazines I’m finding lately that online mags, alongside blogs, provide me with a similar buzz of creativity and best of all they only cost the price of my internet connection! No more £20 spends in WHSmiths for me. One of my faves, Cellardoor, is actually the work of two of my friends-for-life Jade and Amy, and is a magazine I know I can turn to if I find myself lacking in inspiration. Recently they’ve drawn my attention to the work of Russian designer Ulyana Sergeenko, whose designs I love and will be looking out for in the future.

Find out more about Ulyana here

The No Shopping Pledge: week one

Week one of the No Shopping Pledge has gone by pretty much without a hitch, sure there’s been days when I’ve wanted to hit the high street for a spot of retail therapy but so far I’ve managed to keep myself in check. The release of the new-look Company magazine on Thursday (kindly bought for me by Zsa Zsa of The Life Wardrobe, no breaking the pledge for me) didn’t help matters though, as I now feel that I NEED a denim shirt in my life. I think in essence this could be part of the problem. I have a wardrobe full of perfectly nice (in fact more than nice, I would even go so far as to say lush – that’s right I’m part Welsh) clothes yet if I see something in a magazine/shop/window/walking past me on the back of some far more fashionable girl, I get this feeling that if I had the said item, my wardrobe would be complete and I would suddenly have so many more outfit choices. In fact I often find it’s the opposite that’s true; the fewer options I have the greater chance of me coming up with an ensemble that I’m happy with. Luckily the stores I pass on my way to work are still promoting sale, and as much as I love a bargain a massive sale banner is far less likely to entice me to spend when compared to a well thought out new season window display. Staying in the office on my lunch hour also seems to be working, a bit of banter with the girls over food in the kitchen at least gives me a screen break and there’s far less likelihood of me spending (although I do pass the tuck box on the way back to my desk and always get food envy of my friends lunches, making me wish I still got 20% discount at M&S). Not having the option of making a purchase makes you think more about the clothes you do have and how you can best use them to create an on trend look without heading to the shops. Currently I’m thinking about wearing some of the amazing sale purchases I bought just after Christmas (the whole reason I’m so poor in the first place) but haven’t really had the right occasion to wear. This is another of my problems: buying clothes for a life I simply don’t lead, and buying clothes and saving them for “something special”. I need to start thinking that every day is special and saving things for “best” will simply mean they don’t get worn and remain languishing in the wardrobe or shoved in a box under the bed for all eternity. When I was three stone heavier I went through a phase of always wearing the same black jumper (which Jade and Amy, the girls from Cellardoor magazine LOVED to pick me up on). I’d vary the scarf or jacket but essentially the ensemble would always be the same: black jumper and jeans or black jumper and denim skirt. Hmmmmm, inspiring, not. I’m a lot better these days but I do always tend to lean towards comfort and familiarity when picking out something to wear. With this in mind, next week I shall endeavor to wear something new every day, picked from the clothes I already own: I have far too many nice things to always wear the same.