Velvet Lashes: OOTD

Sunday, 19 November 2017

Never feeling good enough

Never feeling good enough is something I always struggle with, always doubting myself and feeling like I can't achieve anything...does that ring a bell to you? I swear this has got worse as I get older, I know why it started and I need to learn to accept I am good enough.

So below are images that have been taken of me, and I instantly criticise myself from my hair to my figure to my teeth to my skin, I want to train my brain away from that.

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Society has built this image of "perfection" and the pressure to be "perfect" has never been so difficult, with Instagram showing the pretty pictures, the pretty faces and must have items that we all wish we had. When I was younger all that people started to use was acrylic nails, though not many had them, not much makeup and that was it! No fake tan, fake lashes, hair extensions, the desire to have straight white teeth, or a specific way to apply makeup we just did not have that kind of pressure.

I wonder what started this? I wonder how we got to this point? Its got to a point where such young girls are already wearing acrylic nails, hair extensions and on an extreme diet to be a certain size, if that is what they want to do then I have no right to say its wrong, I just want children to be children and for people to feel comfortable with who they are and with how pretty they naturally are without thinking they need to do all these things to be what they feel would be good enough.

Even at my age the pressures to look young is unreal, its so hard to feel that you look okay for your age and the pressure to be "youthful" and to be wrinkle free, cellulite free is getting to a point where its making people feel they aren't "good enough". I want my children to grow up where "perfection" is whatever you feel happy with, to feel that you are good enough, you are beautiful, this will be hard with the pressure from peers and society but somehow I want to make sure I teach them this.

How do you cope with the pressure of not being good enough? What do you do to make yourselves feel worthy?

Shop the post!

Culotte Jumpsuit

Top

Earrings

Shoes

If any item is out of stock I try to source something similar

A x

5 tips for a Happy Soul

I am my own worst enemy when it comes to feeding my soul, being happier and generally looking after my mental health, so I thought I would write a list of things that always spark some light and can then motivate me to ensure I make it a habit!

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One of the most important parts of my day, pre children, used to be my time to read! I would either buy or head to the library to gather up some books to get my mind wandering into pages of great literature, I found I would switch off from reality and my anxiety would reduce. Reading can relax the mind where it gets lost inside the words of a book rather then getting lost in worry and anxiety.

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Accept compliments, this is something I have struggled with over the years where I haven't got the greatest self esteem I find it hard to accept compliments but I started to consciously change this, instead of saying oh gosh no when someone would say something nice I now pause and thank them reiterating what they said in my head. This helps to accept what they have said and to store it away in a little lovely box inside our mind. We need to give ourselves more credit for being awesome.

Have a moment away from the fast pace lives we live. When I was little me and my family would go for walks every Sunday in beautiful places to feel free and have fun, these are some of my happiest moments. We recently moved home where our garden backs onto fields, I am so lucky and love the views! I try to make sure I take the children across the fields for a "bear hunt" like the ever so famous We're going on a bear hunt book, I want them to feel that sense of freedom, peace and fun exploring like I did as a child. Going on walks is a time I find myself feeling relief, where I can take a deep breath and walk off my worries. My favourite places are forests and beaches, they are the places I feel most at peace with myself, so when you feel like you can't escape your mind go for a long walk.

This is something I have always given to people I work with to help them recognise how they are good people, to recognise what makes them as awesome as they are. We aren't great at looking at us in a positive light, where we can stand in front of a mirror and with great confidence say why we are a great wife or a good friend.....so now let's do this! On a various pieces of paper draw a cloud in the centre of the paper with a heading on each piece of paper, one could be daughter, one could be friend, partner, colleague etc. Draw five lines out of each cloud and then write down a reason you are a good friend on each line....so a good listener? Loyal? And answer 5 positive reasons on each cloud.

Laugh. Laughing is good for the soul, surround yourself with fun loving people who guarantee to make you laugh, or pop on that funny film. The film that guarantees to make me laugh is Stepbrothers, basically anything with Will Ferrell! Even when I am at my lowest and feel so deep in sadness I am guaranteed to at least crack a smile when fun lovely people or a funny film come on the screen. Laughing is also infectious! Spread the laughter and the fun.

Shop the look!

Just click on the links below.

Bag
Jeans
Earrings
Jumper
Shoes
Jacket- Primark

Hope these were helpful, I'm now off to read my book!

What tips do you use?

A xx

Italian Paradise.....Outfit #2

The weather was incredible as you would expect, lazy days at the beach a LOT of eating we are Italian after all. This outfit was worn when we went to a restaurant my cousin works at. The outfit was photographed by my beautiful mama which explains the poses and laughter! She was fab....she made me use a Vespa as a prop!

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This is the view from the restaurant, isn't it beautiful! This island is just too beautiful, full of gorgeous beaches, stunning views, and pretty mountains.

Outift

Choker: Boohoo

White off shoulder top: Boohoo

Jeans: Topshop

Shoes: Next

A x

Italian Paradise....Outfit inspiration

I'm back, after 4 months I have finally come back!! I have had baby number two which has not been particularly easy so had to drop the blogging for a while to gather myself. Hope you all understand, it isn't easy juggling life is it! So here is a look at me going back "Home" to Ischia in Italy for a couple of weeks! A little peek into some of my outfits, I will do this across a few posts....here is outfit one!

Look at this view from one of my Uncles houses!! This place is otherwise known as a "cave" but its amazing, he built what I can only describe as a massive living room within a mountain! With a big kitchen and a table to feed the 5000! We have many parties and family gatherings here with views like this.

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Outfit

Crop top: New Look

White oversized vest: H&M

Black lace shorts: ASOS

Sunglasses: Italian boutique

Sandals: Primark

A xx

Relaxed Sunday Outfit....

Here is a little outfit post for you lovely lot. Its a Sunday today, well thats what day it is when I'm wearing this outfit and writing the post.

I love Sundays as its a chance to relax and be with my family with an Italian feast. I used to always wear heels day and night but as motherhood has taken over this has reduced but if I can I grab those bad boys with both hands and strut around!!

I got contacted by Tienne Jewellers, a great website showcasing various jewellery brands, I was able to chose a couple of items and straight away fell in love with these two necklaces by Estella Bartlett. My favourite out of the two is the Hand Of Fatima gold necklace, I have not taken it off since I received it! The second is the silver unicorn necklace, both at £19 each.

Click here to see these beauties!

Enjoy 10% off with the code VELVET10

Shirt: H&M

Trousers: River Island

Shoes: New Look

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What do you think?

A xx

Izabel Boutique

I am really into this seasons fashion, from the trench coat to the shirt dress it all looks wearable and right up my street. I was contacted by *Izabel an online boutique I had not heard of before to have a look at what they offer.

Izabel have a wide range of clothing and accessory items at reasonable prices, I was lucky to be able to chose an item of clothing to review and struggled between the gorgeous trench coats such as a Kim Kardashian inspired camel coloured coat, click here to view and a floaty top to wear post baby!

I chose this top in the end as need to feel comfortable.

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This top is so unusual, I love the dip back hen and sheer panel which adds a different feel to just the usual dip hem tops on the highstreet, it floats beautifully when you walk and when I saw a couple of my friends they loved it! The top is only £22!! so when it arrived the quality surprised me for that price tag, it looks a lot more expensive and feels soft to the touch with chiffon panels and looks great teamed with leggings or skinny jeans with either stilettos or chelsea boots.

Please bare in mind I was only 4 weeks post second baby in this picture and had an emergency c section so standing was an issue!

The top is also available in khaki.

Click here to view.

Izabel has a lot to offer and would recommend you guys have a peek to add some good quality staple pieces.

Have you purchased from Izabel?

A xx

OOTD: Sequin Sparkle

I have loved these sequin trousers but not worn them for years! How crazy is that?! So I dragged them out of my wardrobe, teamed with a simple H&M vest and denim shirt.

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Trousers: H&M

Vest: H&M

Denim Shirt: H&M

Shoes: Matalan

Necklace: Primark

Sunglasses: Next

How do you style sequins?

A x

OOTD: Office Style

I have been struggling for work wear especially now with baby bump so wanted something that would work for not only work but general wear and of course something suitable for work as trousers seem to bug me at the moment!

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This dress is from Topshop Maternity, but is also available in the "normal" range.

Dress: Topshop

Shoes: Matalan

Sunglasses: Next

What styles would you recommend?

A xx

OOTD: That Casual Feeling

The sun was out and I was feeling super happy to be spending the day with one of my best friends! We planned to go out for the day for food and lots of giggles, we did think of shopping too but that never happened as food just took over! We went to a gorgeous vegan restaurant, I am not vegan but adore healthy vegan food.

My friend agreed to take some photos, we laughed the whole way through so am sure you can see that in the photos! You may or may not know that I am pregnant, so currently I am 19 weeks and want a wardrobe to work for both being pregnant and after so have been trying to wear items that I have already which can work for me and my bump. If you didn't know I have a youtube and have shown a haul of items I have purchased that are not maternity wear which can work for me now, during and after pregnancy.

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Dress: All Saints

Denim shirt: New Look

Necklace: Primark

Bag: Topshop

Shoes: Matalan

Sunglasses: Next

Hope you like the outfit!

A xx

OOTD: Office Party Inspiration

Its party season time, where all your work friends gather to celebrate the christmas season so here is an outfit I put together for an office party. I love mixed textures, so denim and a string effect skirt teamed with some sparkle and nude high heels. I love this combination, you can also team it perfectly with leather pencil skirt.

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Shirt: H&M

Skirt: H&M

Necklace: New Look

Shoes: Office

A xx

OOTD: Its all about the fluffy jumper....

Hi Loveys,

What a cold few days its been, time for warm furry jumpers teamed with pencil skirts and purple lipstick! I love teaming big jumpers like this one from New Look with a pencil skirt, loving a bold print. Leopard print and purple go so well together.

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As you all know I love finding bargains on Ebay, this bag was from that wonderful website! A studded turquoise clutch bag with a chunky chain from Primark was what I needed to make this look complete.