Dream big, or don't dream at all.

I have spent so much time recently thinking that I need to do some soul searching, that I appear to have clouded my own way. I used to feel passionate about all things creative, but recently I have lost enthusiasm. The reason for this? Simple. I haven't been surrounding myself with the things that bring me happiness.

When I started to lose enthusiasm for all things I take pleasure from in life, instead of doing more of the things I loved, I decided blindly I must be missing something and that I therefore needed to do some soul searching. I have been searching now for around 6 months, and I have come back with absolutely nothing. If anything, I have ended up getting further from where I want to be. I (for some unknown reason) decided that I should be spending my downtime out of work, learning more about the industry I am in 9-5 every week. Now don't get me wrong I am all for becoming the guru in your role, but what if you are one of the millions of people who work in an industry that isn't where you dream to be?

I can only think of two friends who are working in exactly the environments that they set out to be in, and only one of whom knew from when he was a child. So why is it that so few of us manage to work in the industry or environment that we dream of? Are we all afraid to try and make our dreams become our realities? I for one have spent pretty much my life not knowing what I wanted to be when I "grew up" (whenever that is... ) but I knew the type of industry, I may not have known the role, but I knew it needed to be something creative, whether that was through fashion, design, make-up whatever medium it took, it just had to be creative. So how have I come to work in a wealth management firm, working alongside stockbrokers? Now I don't want you to read this and think I don't like my job, far from it, I work with some amazing people and my role is extremely diverse every single day. But you can't compare financial markets to my love of looking at a pair of Louboutin's or a stunning dress from Alexander McQueen.

Are we conditioned from a certain age that we should just follow the path that we are blindly being led down? I have grown up in an extremely supportive family, always being told that I could be whatever I wanted to be. My problem was that I never knew. What I was blind to at the time is that there was a recurring theme, nearly everything I took pleasure from or wanted to take up as a hobby or study was creative. Instead, after my first few serious jobs (which happened to be finance related), I followed down a path towards the financial world that I never intended to be on!

I woke up one day and realised that I had lost this enthusiasm that I had always had, a feeling that I never thought I would lose. Not until one morning I woke up and just realised there was absolutely nothing I wanted to do with my weekend. I didn't want to read, I didn't want to write, sew, or film a make-up video. I realised recently that over the last 6 months I haven't really done or taken part in anything creative, and my inspiration and will to sit and write or film a make-up video had nearly all but vanished. Instead, I had been spending my downtime away from work reading about financial markets, studying for exams related to work, trying to keep up to date with relevant news articles. Instead of allowing myself to be my true self in the walls of my own home I was trying to mould myself in to having a passion to live eat and breathe finance. I thought that by trying to turn myself into having a passion for the financial markets I would be able to find the happiness that I had lost. How wrong could I be?

With the help of one of my dearest friends I have started to find myself again. She helped me to discover Ted Talks, and in turn some inspirational videos about how its O.K to be completely yourself. I watched two videos to begin with, all about being yourself and daring to dream of the things you want to do. Then two videos turned into 4 or 5 and then I started to do some searching on the internet for other videos on embracing the things you love and the parts of you that make you unique. And finally after 6 months of feeling lost, I feel like I am starting to find my way again. I just needed to reminded that we all need to do more of the things that make us smile and bring us joy. I have spent this weekend writing and reading for the first time in what feels like eternity, and I have spent more hours on Instagram looking through fashion pages and putting together outfit ideas than I care to admit!

So why are we not all pushing each other to embrace the things we are most passionate about? Wouldn't the world be a better place if everyone encouraged another human being to just be 100% themselves and not worry about what others may think? Or worry about not getting the housework done for one more day.

I'm challenging you to take time out one night in the coming week to spend it solely on something that you are passionate about, maybe its a craft, or music or maybe you're a movie buff but there's one classic film you've been meaning to watch but haven't. Whatever it is that gets you enthusiastic and you have a passion for, make more time for it in your life. I promise it will make you happier not just in the moment but it will help to lift your spirit. I know that I have been fairly grouchy recently and in a bit of a funk. But what else did I really expect to happen if I just dropped everything I was passionate about. My spirit took a little bit of a kicking but I am nurturing it back to its previous level and hopefully more so.

You can't manufacture passion (as I discovered) it's this feeling you have when you take part in certain things that you just can't get from anywhere else. Whatever that is embrace it, add more of it to your life. We are all too quick to focus on our livelihoods, and as I said before for millions of us that isn't doing something you're passionate about. But would one evening this week really ruin your schedule if you took it out to focus on something that gives you that true happiness all the way to your core... probably not.

A long post this time I know, but just think of it as 6 months of passion which has been M.I.A finally returning!

You can dream as big as you want to, don't let anyone tell you you can't. And if you really dare to dream why not picture yourself making your passion into your everyday job... then you're onto a winner. As my friend and my Mum would say, you are capable of doing anything you set your mind to.

xoxo E

A surreal thing just happened...

A friend of mine has just sent me a message to let me know that my photo is being used as an advert by a hair extension company (not too weird as I have purchased the hair extensions and posted a photo on instagram...)

#krystellie #hair got it going on 👍🏼

A photo posted by Emily Rose (@missemilyrose_x) on Aug 1, 2015 at 8:15am PDT

This was just a very surreal moment for me, I have never had my photo used as an advert before. Given the number of views that my YouTube is going up by every day I knew a few more people where looking at my videos and social media but this was a new one for me! Flattering none the less!

I am thinking of posting a review video of these extensions as this is something which I have been meaning to do for a while, but since I had clothing hauls to squeeze in I haven't got around to this yet!

In the meantime there are new videos going up quite often on my channel so if you wanted to scoot on over and have a look click here

For now though I need to shoot off got loads to do!

xoxo E

Erin Condren Planner 2016

I have spent a lot of time thinking about which planner to get for 2016, and when my current planner broke the decision on whether to get an 18 month diary was made for me.

I looked around on the market and decided this year to give the Erin Condren planner a go. I have never anything from Erin Condren before, but I had seen a lot of reviews and this seemed like the right one for me. I ordered a few extra goodies to go with it, and then waited for with excitement for it to arrive, and I have to say overall I was not disappointed the planner is beautiful the pages are a good weight, and there are some beautiful features.

If you want to see a full review and to have a look inside then click the video below and I'll go through it with you in full detail.

If you are interested in getting an Erin Condren planner then have a look at the website, they don't just stock diaries, they have all sorts, wedding planners, teacher planners, back to school stationary the lot - erincondren.com

As always any questions just let me know in a comment below.

More videos will be coming from me over the next coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled!

And remember, keep smiling.

xoxo E

Chill Out Session

This weekend I have decided to give myself more of a weekend off. I have been working very hard recently, particularly over the last week and I wanted to have some 'down' time to regroup and refresh myself ready for the busy time I know I have coming up.

I have recently been studying, working full time, and trying to get back into the swing of making YouTube videos. But this weekend, after a manic week, I just wanted to take the time to sit and do things which I haven't done in a long time or have neglected  through lack of spare time. I have found myself going through old photographs and organising them into ones which I want to display in my home, and ones which I want to keep in an album. This then got me onto thinking about scrapbooking. Something which I have always wanted to do but never have. I have just ordered a scrapbook, so I am hoping that over the next couple of weekends I will be able to sit down and create my own scrapbook/album of all my best memories.

I have also found (what I hope is) a really nice journal, which I want to use separately to keep all my old tickets and receipts in from good times, as soon it arrives I will post a picture and give a review.

I think this is a project which could become somewhat of a love affair, I really love my planner and having a planner on the go and lists. I feel scrapbooking could become the elite of all of these.

I'll let you know how I am getting on!

I hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Keep Smiling

xoxo E

Primark Haul

I decided it was time I joined the revelation (although I am a little late to the party!) of Haul Videos on YouTube.

Apparently (and stats are backing this up) these types of videos amongst the most popular in the beauty community. So I decided that since we are all so nosey (myself included) I would film a Primark Haul just so everyone on the internet could see exactly what I decided to buy myself in Primark this month, and so far you seem to be loving this idea!

So for those of you who haven't seen it yet here it is:

Granted this thumbnail isn't the best... I am working on updating these though! This one keeps cutting down to just the section of me pulling weird faces.. but I am sure we can all live with that!

Anyway got to go... studying to do!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend, and remember as always...

Keep Smiling

xoxo E

Another year older...

So I am another year older! Well that came around quickly!

I started my YouTube channel just before my last birthday, it was something I wanted to do to push myself outside of my comfort zone... mission accomplished!

I can't believe a year has gone by since I started my YouTube channel and since I started blogging more frequently. Granted not as much activity from me on either of those as I had hoped... but we'll keep plodding on.

So hey, how are you? How've you been? I feel like I'm almost starting over again it's been so long. The deal is I have been manically busy at work, short staffed, change of staff etc. plus I have just signed up to do a qualification through work. This means I have to take time out of my normally fairly quiet evenings to sit study instead of doing things like blogging. Although it means less down time to myself, I have to say I am loving it, for one main reason. It means I get to get all my highlights, notepads, pens, post it's, and pencils out from when I was at school and college. This makes me exceptionally happy. I am a massive stationary freak!

I am going to try and blog every now and then as part of my routine. Going to try and fit this in as part of a study break casually update you while my head is spinning from trying to absorb information out of a text book!

I will keep you posted on progress as always.

I hope you are enjoying the summer sunshine, here in England its a little hit an miss, but I am trying to make the most of it when it does appear!

Ciao for now,

xoxo E

Better late than never...

I am definitely a little slow on the upload with this one... but nevertheless, I created it so felt that I should share... a new video has just gone up!! Click Here

For some reason my blog has decided to disown my YouTube acount, so I no longer have the ability to post video thumbnails into my blogs :( rubbish. Not sure how to fix that one!  If you know please let me know! I have been trying for  a while now and I can't see to get it back up and running!

Anyway's enjoy the video there are definitely more to come I have a back stock!

Keep Smiling

xoxo

I'm back..

I feel like I have been away for a while, I have definitely been away from YouTube for far to long. Again apologies, I am leading a hectic life this side of the keyboard! I have been focusing on work and friends, and my hobbies have taken some what of a back step. I have, however, just looked through my laptop and found lots of goodies to go up on YouTube and have filmed a new video this weekend just gone, so I will have something for you to watch soon. In the middle of editing one at the moment, of at least 3 ready to go up in the near future so stay posted for those.

How are you? What've you been up to? It feels like its been forever since I last sat down and had time to really focus on anything! I have been doing lots and so many different things that I haven't focused on one in particular, do you ever get that? Anyway enough rambling! Summer is starting to finally arrive. I have been making full use of the sun whenever it has graced me with its presence, and I am hoping to get my wardrobe swapped over to my summer wardrobe in the next few weeks, I am just waiting for more constant nice weather to do this!

Going to keep it short and sweet today, but I will upload videos soon and may do a summer wardrobe video at some point!

Keep Smilling.

xoxo E 

That get up and go feeling

I have been doing a lot of thinking recently, due to the new home and new found independence, a new city to live in, and all those good things. And the fresh start in a new home has really given me a motivational boost that I was much in need of to kick start me again and get me going.

I am also now commuting to work on foot, which is a completely new thing for me, I have never been able to commute by foot before. So this is a nice refreshing start to each and every day. My walk and daily exercise along with the new home is making me feel freshly motivated and inspired to work harder.

So therefore there are going to be more Blogs from me and hopefully more YouTube videos. I am just feeling all round more inspired just do the things that I love. I think also the fact that Spring is clearly on the way is massively helping, the evenings are lighter and the weather seems to be ever so slightly better. Having done my Spring cleaning over the last two weeks, I feel like I am ready to really crack on with this year and make things happen. As they always say work hard, play harder.

What are your plans for this Spring time? Have you got a new hobbie which you have taken up or something which you have found a love for? I am going to try and pick up the pace with my blogging and videos, but my Mum is also teaching me to sew, I will keep you updated on the progress!

Hopefully the motivational bug will come through the PC and get you going!

Remember, think positive and positive things will happen!

xoxo E

New Beginnings & Spring Cleaning!

I have started another new beginning, if you read my previous blogs you will know that I recently moved back in September from the countryside to a city. We needed to move quickly, due to starting new jobs and needing to be up in the city for set dates. So it was more of a case of get there in time, not picking the right place. I have now found the perfect place which I hope I will call home for a long time to come, but it has meant another house move!

So over the last two weeks while I have been surrounded by boxes I have been thinking about de-cluttering etc. and have come up with some golden rules which I think may help you if you are planning to have a spring clean!


Wardrobe Clearout


All women hate the dreaded wardrobe clear out it is always so hard to cut down on your clothes, but never just throw anything out, always give it to charity shops or clothing banks, that way you know your clothes are going to a good cause. It makes the hard process a little easier when you know it will help someone in need. I have developed the following rules over the years which has helped me massively!

I always follow these three rules (you have to be ruthless to cut down the wardrobe!)

1. Has it been worn in the last year?
2. Is it a special occasion item (therefore exempt from rule 1 i.e. a wedding outfit, cocktail dress, funeral outfit etc.)
3. Does it still fit? (Only one item is allowed to be exempt from this i.e. a pair of jeans which are your motivation for loosing weight etc. 

Deep Cleaning for Spring

I would hope that everyone loves spring cleaning as much as I do (being a neat freak it's in my nature) however if you don't and are feeling a little lost as too what you should be doing on top of a normal house clean, fear not, as I have created a list which you can follow for a little help and guidance!

Top 10 things I make sure I include in my spring clean around the house:

1. Clean the windows, inside and out
2. Wipe down all door handles with antibacterial spray
3. Removal all items from kitchen cupboards wipe clean and put back
4. Defrost the freezer
5. Clean fridge shelves and freezer drawers
6. Shampoo carpets
7. Wipe down all keyboards, remote controls and phone handsets with antibacterial spray
8. Hoover skirting boards
9. Clean out cutlery drawer
10. Hoover under beds

I hope this helped you with your spring cleaning project, needless to say its been a busy and hard couple of weeks moving and cleaning everything but I am finally settled and completely unpacked.

Good luck with your spring cleaning mission.

 I wish you spring time cleanliness and happiness!

xoxo E

Perseverance is the key!

It has been far too long overdue, but I have finally managed to get my next YouTube video up!

I have been having all sorts of terrible computer issues of the last 3 weeks since originally trying to get this video uploaded! But today after sitting down this morning and being determined that I wouldn't be beaten I have managed to get my video edited and uploaded!

I hope you enjoy! This is all based around a new matte lipstick which I have purchased from M.A.C which I am in love with and is my new favourite red lipstick. I hope that you love this look as much as I do!

I promise now that I have managed to beat my pc into submission and I have got everything running smoothly again there will be more videos to come.

As always any requests please do let me know!


But for now, grab yourself a cup of something tasty, a bicky and sit back and enjoy this beast :)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mq753AL8f44

xoxo E

It's been far to long....

Hello all!

So it has been far to long since I last posted ANYTHING! Literally anything, nothing on Facebook, Blogs, or Youtube, or Instagram for that matter.

There is no particular reason for this other than the fact that I have just been super super busy! I attended a lot of different events over December in the run up to Christmas therefore December just got wiped out, first two weeks of January has just been a case of calming down from Christmas and finishing off catching up with family and friends over the festive period, then last week I was poorly. Back to normal now though! So hopefully I can get back up to speed!

So now that all is back to normal... I am back! Woohoo!

Hope you are all well, did I miss much while I was gone? Any New Years resolutions still going strong? I started mine... then forgot I had them... not so much a conscious breaking just momentary slip of memory. I had really easy resolutions this year, just little things which I wanted to make more of a conscious effort to do:

1) Drink more water! - I am absolutely rubbish at this, I drink coffee like its going out of fashion but not water. This was going really well, then I just forgot! Rubbish! But this is something I am going to try and consciously work into my life more and more!

2) Make more videos! - My YouTube seemed to be popular amongst friends and I was getting into a routine and then I moved house, managed to get one done and then just ran out of time! So I am going to try and dedicate more time on a regular basis to this so that I can get more videos up!


These are going a little hit at miss! But last weekend I did sit down and film two potential videos so we are making progress! I am just about to sit and edit these now so hopefully I will have a new video to go up shortly!

Hopefully you are doing better than me with your resolutions!

I hope you all had a really love Christmas and New Years. I had a manic December and then Christmas and New Year / first two weeks of January has just been filled with seeing friends and family and just generally catching up!

Hopefully have a video to post soon!

xoxo E