Be a wildflower!

Wildflowers adapt and bloom wherever they want, be a wildflower…

I’ve had a lot of thoughts running through my head lately around a certain topic and I just wanted to share my thoughts on it. I guess since lockdown everyone has a lot more time to themselves. I know I have. Across all social platforms the topic on gaining weight has been circulating the web and I want to shed a little light and positivity on this and what I’ve been doing to make myself feel good.

First and foremost this is a pandemic. None of us chose to be off work and told to stay in our houses. We simply had to do it to save lives. Our daily routines of going to work, driving to our favourite coffee shops was taken away overnight. So all of a sudden we were left with a feeling of ‘What do I do now’! Alot of unwanted pressure can come with this, to stay active, be productive everyday and keep ourselves busy. But guess what! You don’t have too. Whatever it is that you enjoy doing, weather that be sitting outside and reading a book, creating, baking, writing whatever it is that makes you happy, DO THAT.  If you’ve gained a few pounds or lost a few, chosen to do some home workouts or simply just gone for a walk everyday. It doesn’t matter! YOU ARE ENOUGH, JUST AS YOU ARE!

For me I’ve somehow stumbled into working out again. I didn’t have any goals going into lockdown to ‘get fit’ or anything like that. One day I was bored and I just did it for something to do. I really didn’t expect to keep it up if I’m honest because I’ve been down this road before where I would do a few workouts a week and not continue with it. I just didn’t have the motivation.  

I had been scrolling through tiktok and came across this girl who had posted a home workout. Her name was Megan Grubb. I later found her instagram and turns out she does lives workouts everyday on her page. She’s a qualified fitness instructor and has basically made a career out of her fitness journey and workouts. Her positive energy I immediately became hooked to and it felt like I have a friend working out with me.  I take one 1 hour out of my day for myself, to work on myself. If I’m ever in a bad mood I know I’m going to feel better after doing one. It gives my days a bit of structure as lets me honest they all just mould into one at this point. Physically and mentally I feel stronger. I feel so much more content and better about my body. I’m drinking more water and I’m even eating better.

We all have those days when we don’t feel like ourselves and look in the mirror and wish I had a flatter stomach or slimmer thighs but I’ve come to realise that no body is the same and I think we need to remind ourselves of that because it is so easy to compare our bodies to the ones we see on instagram and wish we had a certain figure.  So don’t beat yourself up if you’ve not been as active as you would like to be during this time, it doesn’t matter. What matters is you being happy and content in your own skin. Listen to your body and take this time to put yourself first.

One day you will look back and see that all along you were blooming…

Love Tash x

Current thoughts...

13 days staying in…

What strange times… Not really sure how to start this one off, who would have thought 2020 the start of a new decade would start the way it did. We are experiencing a global event that is changing lives as we speak. Major cities across the world are asleep, we leave our homes to gather essentials, medicine, walk our dog. Nothing else. The hustle and bustle of our towns, our cities are dead. No retailers are trading. I work for essentially the biggest fashion retailer in its sector. We had no choice but to shut. Staying in has become the new norm.

I enjoy my own company, I’m an introvert at best so the whole staying in when I don’t feel like going out isn’t exactly new to me. The uncertainty of not knowing when ill be back in my job that I love or when I’ll get to see my friends again however is not sitting well with me. Its the one thing I don’t have control over. This could go on for months, no-one really knows how or when this will end. Now I could sit here and list the things I miss but I’m not going to do that. 

This time is a chance, an opportunity for me to get creative, I already do this somewhat on the daily anyway. Its who I am. Home photoshoots, tidy, organise, draw, read some books. Its the one thing keeping me going. Its giving us all a chance to reset and recharge and remember what is important. Spend time with our families, bake, watch, binge do all the things we ‘didn’t have time for’ or because we had other plans. You will see your friends again, for now FaceTime them, message them there only a phonecall away. The photos in this post I toke in my bedroom, just me, a white sheet and a camera. Self timer is a wonderful thing. I hope to create more content like this.

I sit on the edge of my bed typing this still in my pyjamas because this fit and loungewear has basically become my new uniform. Online retailers still in business with sales rising for the latest joggers and loungewear. Supermarket shelves empty from toilet paper and anti-bacterial products because the nation went into panic. Who would have thought a virus that started in china would even reach as far as the UK. Countries are in lockdown the death tolls are rising and yet the young don’t seem to understand why they can’t go to school and think its one big holiday and want to see their friends and hang out in their local parks. 

Stay at home. I’m sure your all sick of hearing it. No-one is immune from this virus you only have to look at the news to know this. Stay inside for the sake of your families, wash your hands and be grateful for what is around you. This will end. So for now go do something that makes you happy, make a cup of coffee, read that book that’s been on the shelf for months, clearout your room, order those shoes if it makes you happy. Take a walk to get some fresh air, whatever it is you have to do to keep going.

Stay positive and stay healthy my loves.

Love Tash x 

Dear 2020

I’m aware this is little late but I thought I’d go ahead and post it anyways. What makes me, me.

I’m dressed head to toe in black 90 percent of the time, I can go from listening to rock/metal music to Harry Styles in the space of 3 minutes. Things that make my heart sing our fashion, interior design, styling outfits, chunky shoes, live music, coffee. I’ve always been bit of a creative soul I’ll always be drawing or creating content any chance I can get. Buying plants adding a pop of green to my monochrome world is as colourful as it gets. I’m not afraid of colour I just prefer the dark side.

My hair a short dark bob. Who would have known I’d feel my most confident with such a haircut. But I’ve finally found a haircut that’s me. That’s just it. It’s me.  The heavy metals of my rings and stack of my earrings, always silver nothing else will do. The drawings of ink on my arms telling the stories of my past, the memories I want to always keep around. To remind me to keep going, keep growing. Everything that makes up who I am I’m not ashamed of anymore I’m not afraid to tell people what makes my heart sing because I’ve found who I am and I’m ok with who she is, every inch of her. 

So 2020 here’s to more self love, doing the things that makes us happy. Another journey, another adventure.  

Love Tasha x 

Short hair confidence...

Lets talk about hair shall we...my hair has been through some changes. I’ve been long, I’ve been blonde, I’ve had a fringe, I’ve done ombre, highlights and gone between many different lengths with layers you name it. However I feel I’ve finally found the haircut for me.

Over the years I’ve gradually got shorter and shorter and going back dark was easily one of the best decisions I’ve made. Blonde was fun but it just didn’t suit me. I feel like I’m at a place where I’ve nailed ‘the look’ ‘my look’.  I spent a long time growing out my hair to be all one length, got rid of my bangs and I’ve stuck to getting a blunt cut so ultimately I’ve joined the ‘bob club’ and I’m loving it! 

Having short hair gives me confidence, its a strange feeling that I don’t no quite how to explain. Its a feeling I never got when leaving the salon with my longer hair or even when I was blonde. Having dark brunette hair makes me feel good. I couldn’t feel more me! And I can’t really see myself straying away from this hairstyle for quite some time. I feel like no matter what swear it compliments my style perfectly and sticking to a blunt cut was a game changer for sure.

As for my outfit I can’t get enough of cycling/legging shorts at the minute. There so easy to style up and I love how they look with an oversized blazer. I spent a long time looking for the perfect blazer and this is the one. The oversized fit and masculine style was exactly what I was looking for, paired with some chunky trainers and your sorted.

So yeah if any of you reading this have wanting to make the chop or change up your hair, just do it! Take the plunge cause it might just end up being the best decision you make!

Love Tash x

Outfit details: top / blazer / shorts // All Zara

Trainers / Balenciaga 

Feeling inspired again...

Hello July! It wouldn’t feel right leaving June behind without reflecting on what the month brought me so here’s a little recap. Lately I have felt very inspired to start blogging again, I guess now that it’s summer and the nights are longer and the weather is better (most of the time) I’m wanting to take more photos. But a very cool opportunity found its way to me and that’s REALLY what has lead me back to my little corner of the internet...

At the start of June I entered a styling competition through my work to represent Zara and feature in the Cosmopolitan magazine. 2 weeks ago I received a phone call to tell me I’d WON IT! Not just shortlisted which at first I thought was what she meant no the whole damn thing! An all expenses paid trip, to shoot with Cosmo! MADNESS! 

It all happened very quickly barely enough time to process the news and before I knew it I was in London the following Thursday. The shoot itself was on the Friday so I got to spend a day at Zara head office along side the PR team! Very surreal! For someone like me who’s worked in the company just over 4 years in the store itself it was very interesting to see what goes on behind the scenes of the company. I got taken on a tour around the office and got to meet directors and managers across all the departments. I must say getting to see all the newest pieces coming in for autumn/winter season all beautifully merchandised in the showroom was definitely the best part of my day.

 

June also seen me get tattoo number 3! Sorry mum! I had a little hanger tattooed along with my 2 closest friends in my work to symbolise not only our friendship but are time in the company since we all started at the same time! a little nod to my fashion journey I guess!  Quite a coincidence that I had this done 2 weeks prior to me getting this amazing news so now every time I look down at my wrist I’ll always have it to remind me of this opportunity, so it’s become even more sentimental to me!

I guess the moral of this story this, if you have a passion for something, something that sets your soul on fire, keep going, keep doing what you love and what makes you happy because you never know where it might lead you! For someone who has literally captured and photographed my outfits for so long, to be noticed you can bet that meant the world to me! And maybe just maybe the content I’m putting out there is actually ok! Too often I put myself down over my content, thinking it’s either not good enough and constantly comparing myself to others and beat myself up for not posting as often as I would like. But you know what I got noticed! I was picked out of however many entries, shortlisted and then picked by the editor of Cosmo herself! She seen something in me! I was noticed I still can’t get my head around it but I guess when you start to believe in yourself magic starts happening.

I feel humbled to have even been shortlisted nevermind picked to represent Zara for the magazine! It has honestly been one of the coolest experiences to have been apart of, an amazing opportunity! The team and fellow gals who like me work for fashion companies who were also shot along side a model for the feature were all so lovely and I couldn’t have asked for a better team to work with. I can’t wait to pick up the magazine in September, counting down the days!

So just remember when you feel like giving up or simply don’t feel good enough just remember you got this and heck if I can get myself featured in a magazine, you can do anything! 

Love Tash x 

Outfit = All zara (no surprise) 

 

Changing the way people dress, one sneaker at a time!

First things first, a special shout out to @thomashamill12 for these photographs. I got the opportunity to shoot with someone other than my sister haha! It was cool to have a fellow creative play around with angles and composition that I wouldn’t normally be shot in. Having someone behind the camera with a different perspective and creative touch on something their passionate about definitely shows in these photos and I’m super happy with the outcome.

Now lets talk about trainers! I love styling trainers into my everyday outfits, lately it seems there all I wear on my feet. I’m spending more time looking at shoes than clothes at this point. 2018 was the year of the chunky trainer! I became instantly hooked and as time goes on the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down. It’s definitely had a big influence on me and the trainers I’ve bought since they started making an appearance on the highstreet.  The range of brands and styles that can be purchased now is nothing like it was 2-3 years ago. There are new releases every week with an increase in popularity for rare trainers that instantly sell out at retail, you don’t need to be a ‘sneakerhead’ to know what a pair of yeezys are! 

There is definitely a newfound acceptance of wearing trainers, track bottoms, hoodies virtually anywhere. And let me tell you I’m here for it.  You only have to look at the Spring/summer 19 collections on the catwalks to see the huge influence sportswear is having. I’m a massive fan of Virgil Ablohs Off-white brand. His collection in September was named “track and field” it did exactly what it said on the tin. It showcased sportswear worn as daywear. Combining streetwear with sportswear is something I find myself doing daily. Its that juxtaposition of something sporty with something casual and smart that I love, throw on an adidas t-shirt with a big fluffy coat and a pair of smart trousers and I’m sorted.

You only have to look at my instagram feed to see the influence brands like off white and Balenciaga have had on people, the triple s trainer with that chunky sole (you know the one) I can’t scroll down my instagram feed without seeing at least one blogger with them on their feet. The hefty £600 price tag doesn’t seem to faze anyone as they continue to be purchased time and time again. Abloh along with other designers have the power to change the way people dress and ‘athleisure’ has been one of key element to his success. 

Photography by: @thomashamill12

I’ve styled a new pair of sneakers I picked up recently which I must say haven’t been taken off since. The triple black adidas sneaker also come in a white colorway which I won't be surprised if I end picking up coming into the summer! I can’t wait to see whats in store for the trainer market and for upcoming collections in my favourite retailers. It seems like streetwear has no sign of disappearing anytime soon! 

Hope you enjoyed this little read!

Love Tash x 

Sneakers / Adidas Yung 1 / triple black

Bomber / (old) Zara

Jeans & bum-bag / Stradivarius 

A New Year!

So I did have a pretty good draft of this post done already until my MacBook decided to give up on life and had to completely wipe my hard drive, not of to a great start are we 2019, lets try again shall we!  Its 2019! A new year, a new chapter a new 365 pages to fill. I’ve never been one to make New Years resolutions and I’m not about to start either because I’d probably have a hard time keeping them if I’m honest but something I like to do is definitely reflect on the year gone and think about my experiences and what I’ve learnt from them.  So here’s just a few things that 2018 has taught me and a few things that have happened along the way.

I got a tattoo that was pretty groundbreaking. I’ve had the idea for quite a few years and it just got to the point where the opportunity seemed right so I found an artist, I paid the deposit and I got it done. Simples! This leads me onto going back to Brighton one of my favourite places to see my absolute favourite band, it just made sense to get it done while I was there. It was the perfect trip, the perfect first tattoo and I’m so bloody glad I got it done (finally) after all this time!  I remember the thought just came to me and I didn’t even hesitate I immediately sourced an artist and just went for it I wasn’t even nervous I was more excited if anything. This is what I want to be more like this year, to say yes to more things without overthinking/worrying and wondering, what if...!

Speaking of trips, 2018 saw me take more sponteaous ones! I discovered new places and returned to old ones. I went to Manchester for the first time just a month in advance and just thought why not! I saw a perfect opportunity to do so I just thought lets go! I want to be more like this and maybe get another tattoo who knows! Sorry mum. It’s so easy to showcase our highlights like pretty much every person did on instagram stories (myself included) but we mustn’t forget to acknowledge or remember the bad days or the moments where we just felt a bit lost. 

That favourite band of mine I went to see at the start of the year after a really successful tour at the end of the year announced their breaking up! Some relationships with people in my life grew stronger and closer and some fell apart. People can just as easily walk into your life as they can leave it. Thats just a few things that comes to mind and I’m not here to dwell on them but I think its important to realise that no matter how perfect someones life may seem through instagram and across other socials you never really know what is going on behind the scenes. 

I didn’t have a bad year by any means it was filled with many great moments. I turned 23, I did more things that made me happy and to me that’s the most important thing.  I’m still trying to figure out what it is I want to do in terms of my job/career path, it seemed a times I spend the majority of the year thinking and wandering what next? One thing I need to try really hard to do is not be afraid to leave my comfort zone. Its so easy to just stay where we are, but I’m always looking/searching for something more. Change is never a bad thing. 

I had someone recently tell me that “looking back at previous years, surely those times you did veer out of your comfort zone were the best decisions of your life? Correct?”

And that ladies and gents is where I will leave this one! I hope 2019 brings you nothing but light and happiness in your life and if you have set yourself goals/resolutions make sure their realistic and achievable for you! And don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Its okay to feel lost in a sea of what seems at times a thousand roles and responsibilities, what’s important is as long as your being yourself that’s all that matters. 

Keep blooming, keep doing you,  you’ll get there! hope its not as long as the last before the next one keeps those eyes peels for more content coming soon.

Love Tash x

Bomber / (old) urban outfitters

Top / Zara

Trousers / topshop

Sneakers / Nike M2K teknos

Return to your roots!

 

 

Lately I’ve been in a real rut with my style! Hating everything in my wardrobe, constantly saying I have nothing to wear! What’s new! In particular this time of year when the shops are still summer but getting their Autumn/winter collections in and the weather being all over the place it becomes even harder to ‘find something to wear’ am I right ladies?

With this outfit I’ve really gone back to my roots, something classic that I can honestly say head to toe is me! Back when I was 15 it was the grunge/vintage fashion that really inspired me and heavily influenced my style and first got me into fashion. I still continue to express myself through this era and in my personal style today.  A vintage Harley tee, ripped black skinnies and a chunky boot, you can’t really go wrong with.

So if you ever find yourself in a rut, think about what you really love to wear, your favourite colours, what does your style say about you. Feeling good about ourselves and comfortable in what we put on is so important and is all that matters. Try to be the best version of yourself and you will always shine through.  

Love Tash x 

t-shirt / Vintage Harley Davidson

Jeans / stradivarius

Platform boots / New in! Pull & bear

Flannel shirt / vintage old!  

Styling for summer!

 Summer has arrived! I thought now that July has arrived it would be a perfect opportunity to kick of the summer style posts. The weather has been unreal lately and I don’t know about you but I always feel a little weird wearing shorts in the UK! Anyone else? 

There’s been a craze online for cycling shorts lately or what some might call (peddle pushers) I remember having a shiny navy pair as my PE shorts at school ha but I personally love them because of the length and how bloody comfortable they are. I love styling them with an oversized t-shirt and a pair of sneakers. This has been my go to look on the warmer days since the hot weather has hit. 

I guess this is also the debut of my off white belt on my blog which I treated myself to about a month ago now! Apart from it being bright yellow and a statement in itself I love how it can be worn multiple ways and instantly adds a pop of colour to an all black outfit. This certainly won’t be the last you’ll see of it. 

So may the sun keep shining and remember kids to stay hydrated! See ya real soon!

Love Tash x 

oversized t-shirt / Zara

shorts / Pretty little thing

sneakers / Zara 

Belt / Off white