As much as we may not want to admit that the year is almost over and 2020 is creeping up ever so quickly, now is a great time to reflect on the past year as well as starting to get some plans moving for the next year and taking some time to realise what was good about 2019 and what wasn't so great. What do want to leave in 2019 and what do you want to take into 2020? This year I've adopted some super helpful and happy habits, but here I thought I'd run down a few habits, hobbies other realisations that I will be sure to be taking into next year and beyond. 

1. Journalling

Admittedly, a very new addition, I think this is something that has really made a positive change. It's no "Dear Diary..." type of journaling but it's taking some time daily or at least weekly to reflect on the past day (or days); what I've done, what I've completed, what hasn't been so good. It was this year I started tracking my mood (another thing I'll be definitely carrying on in 2020) and journalling kind of builds on this. 

It's helped me realise when I'm not in the best mood, why that is. Also, when a situation was stressful, overwhelming or upsetting, it forces me to find the positive a little more. 

2. Shopping less and more sustainably

I recently shared that I have been very much streamlining my life - to keep spends low and minimising unnecessary spending. I've really focussed on buying just what I need and not overindulging. I feel so much happier with a smaller wardrobe, simple makeup and skincare routines. Also, making small sustainable switches, when and where I can, have been great and also kind of fun. With more brands making it even more accessible to shop this way, I hope more brands and shops will be making changes in 2020 so I can continue to shop less but, when I do, shopping more sustainably and ethically. 

3. Knitting

Without telling you where I work, my recent job has had a lot to do with knitting and being surrounded by so many amazing makers. It's really inspired me to pick up the needles myself. My mum once showed me how to knit but it didn't go much further than half a scarf. Now, I've finished my first scarf and I can't wait to get started on my next project. It's such a therapeutic hobby that it's great to knit a few rows first thing in the morning at work, in my lunch break or in the evening with a hot chocolate (obviously!). Plus, the results are gorgeous. I can't wait to carry this new hobby on into 2020!

4. Keeping Organised

A more boring habit but an important one. From during my time at university - getting through exams and dissertations in the final year - to know in my day to day job, I'm always happiest when my day has some structure and I take some time to organise my tasks and thoughts. The organisation is a habit I have to credit for a lot of the positive achievements I've reached this year so I'm of course going to keep this up for next year. 

5. Putting myself first and saying "No"...

I'd like to think this past year I've become pretty confident in knowing my limits; knowing when I'm too busy to take anything extra on, knowing when I just want to spend some time alone and not meet up with friends. It might seem sad and slightly rude but otherwise, I'd hate myself later for not taking the time I need to reset and just relax for a bit. This is definitely something I hope to continue into next year. 

6. ... but also saying "Yes!"

There are a few things this year that, from saying yes, has led to some amazing opportunities - so many "If I hadn't said yes to x, y wouldn't have happened. I said yes to moving to London, yes to my internship, yes to event opportunities, extra work and working with amazing new people and brands. The Y word still kind of daunts me - sometimes more than no - but, hopefully, 2020 will see me saying yes to even more amazing experiences. 


Were there any habits or hobbies you hope to carry on into next year? Are there any new habits you're hoping to try?

I hope you're doing great, 
Sarah x

I don't know about you but I can easily feel overwhelmed by life and the clutter it can bring. Whether it's simply having an untidy space or just having too many items in my life than I actually need and use. This year, I've found myself cutting down the amount I've been spending and making those tasks I usually struggle to do as simple as possible to help me feel more positive.

Simplifying my beauty routines

Both my skin and bank account have thanked for this one. Having just a few skincare products I alternate between has really given my skin a much-needed break - sticking to the essentials, taking a break from experimenting with new products and having a purpose for each skincare product I own. It's really helped me to find a skincare routine that works for me and making changes only when my skin needs it. It's great to finally understand a little more what my skin needs, creating a routine around that and stopping myself from buying products I don't really need. 

It's a similar story for my make-up collection - I've been focussing more on using up the products I already have and only buying products when I run out of what I have. Gone are the days where I'd buy newly-released makeup to share on my blog and now, when I do share products, it's those that I really do love and have used for weeks, or months, or even years. There's still areas of my beauty routine that I experiment with, such as foundation (your recommendations would be amazing!), but I'm making sure I'm doing my research before buying and trying to make sure it's really worth adding to my collection. 

Keeping the products simple makes my morning routine simple and easy for when I' getting ready in the morning. I've always opted for more minimal makeup day-to-day and so now I'm making sure my minimal makeup really is as minimal and simple as possible. 

Creating a capsule wardrobe

This one has definitely changed the most since finishing uni and moving out. I've had multiple major clearouts of my clothes to leave me with only the clothes I feel I will wear or that I love. While I'm not there yet with having a real capsule wardrobe, I've definitely cut my wardrobe down to the key staples. I'm also only buying clothes when I truly need them and making sure each item gets full wear out of it. 

My main reason for really streamlining my wardrobe is because I'm been trying to cut down the number of fast fashion pieces I buy and also focussing on buying clothes made from better-sourced materials. While there are some high street brands leading by example with their sustainable lines, I'm less inclined to shop on the high street more than ever. 

Spending Less Money 

This was never my key aim for streamlining aspects of my life but has been an added bonus that may be a big motivator for many. As I've simplified my spending on fashion and beauty and I plan my meals better, knowing what I will be doing and when I'll be cooking, I've been spending so much less on food and generally living. 

I wasn't consciously making the effort to spend less but it kind of just happened. I still treat myself to a coffee sometimes before work, lunch or tea out when I'm feeling it but I also meal plan, prep for the week and buy only what I need (and maybe a treat or two). As you simplify your life, you also find that you'll streamline your spending and are also more able to keep track of where your money is going with little effort. 



These are just some of the few ways I've simplified my life and it's really had a positive impact on my mood, happiness and organisation. It may seem like by having these routines you're making your life predictable but you're not making it boring just simpler - you're not cutting out the chance to do switch things up but just know more about what you like and what you need. 

Hope you're doing great, 
Sarah x


To think I've been living in London for 3 months honestly baffles me. In one way I feel like it's only yesterday that I was moving in and starting my job but, somehow, at the same time I feel like I've been here for ages. The last time I really updated you was when I was struggling to really know what to do after uni and things have really changed since then! If you didn't see on Instagram earlier this year, I was offered an internship in London and moved here at the end of Summer. I haven't really updated anyone properly about what's been really happening so I thought I'd share a brief summary if you're interested to know what I've been up to and how I've been. 

Working in London

Back in July, I got offered an internship in London in an SEO based role. The only real knowledge of this before the internship was what I'd read online, used on my blog as well as the part-time freelance work I'd done on the side. I wasn't only excited to learn more about SEO but petrified that I didn't know enough. However, the internship has already taught me so much more than I could have expected and more than I ever knew. 

The office is in central London and is super easy for me to travel to (thankfully, I can avoid the rush house tube!) and the people in the office are so lovely. I don't think I've ever been around so many creative and like-minded people ever! It has really made the more challenging days worth it. I've spoken in the past about how introverted I can be, and while I still predominantly am, I've felt a lot less worried about speaking out and I'm keen to get involved. I feel so comfortable at work. 

The workload and the projects I'm set can be challenging and I've struggled more than I thought I would like to get the work/life balance. As someone who constantly stresses and overthinks, it's hard to not think about work worries after 5pm on weekdays. Hopefully, I will get there. It's also been difficult as the internship is just 6 months so there's no real security of knowing what's going to happen after - it almost feels a little out of my control at the moment. But, for now, I'm trying to make the most of it and enjoying the experience. 

Living in London

I was super lucky with the living situation - my sister's housemate was moving out when I was applying for jobs so it seemed perfect for me to move in for my time in London and didn't have to worry about adjusting to living with people I didn't know. 

I'll be honest, I've struggled to make the house feel like a home - with heating not working and an unwanted mouse making an appearance as well as not having much time to really focus on making it more homeful, it still doesn't feel very me. I kind of miss where I was living in York; the people, the house, the city - it all seemed a little easier there. London living never really lets you slow down and I've struggled to settle and actually live in London. 

Being an Introvert in London

As I mentioned, I've always been more introverted and London doesn't seem like the most introvert-welcoming atmosphere. Everything is so fast-paced, busy and at times overwhelming. I enjoy quiet weekends, reading, going for a quiet walk, going to an art gallery and just having some time alone. It seems weird to do this in London where everyone else seems to want to do the complete opposite. 

I'm having this constant internal battle at the moment between wanting to stay in or doing things alone but also wanting to get out there, explore, meet new people. I want to make the most of my weekends and make the most out of living in London but I also know I need my time alone but it almost feels lazy to do that in London. I’m still trying to get the balance on this one and trying not to let my introverted ways stopping me from doing great things but also knowing when I need to stop and take some time for myself and not feel guilty about it. 


So there's just an update on my life. How've you been? What've you been up to this autumn? 
Sarah x

The conversation around sustainability in the fashion world is ongoing. It's something that I've touched on in the past but it's quite a mammoth of a topic to try and breakdown into its elements and discussing it in a way that won't annoy at least one person. The conversation around sustainable and ethical fashion and beauty has many layers and is ever-changing which is great, we should be constantly trying to find the best way to be sustainable but it's important to remember that changes that we may need or want to make, aren't always accessible to everyone. For example, cutting down on fast fashion is amazing to help cut down waste but slow fashion brands tend to be more expensive and less accessible for all. But, there are more high street brands making some changes to make more sustainable fashion choices that bit more accessible.

Today, I wanted to celebrate the brands that are doing this and that is really helping spread the message and awareness of the impact of unsustainable material sourcing and the truth about cruelty to animals in the fashion and beauty industries. I was tempted to write a post about brands to avoid but, why give them that promotion anyway? Instead, lets shed some positivity on the brands that are doing the right thing. While it's good to call out those brands not doing enough, it's important to highlight those that are helping and showing the other brands how it should be done! 

Ethical Beauty 

While animal-testing in the beauty industry has been outlawed by most countries around the world some (I'm looking at your China) still require it by law that they test beauty products on animals before entering their countries' market. Some companies still sell in these countries and therefore are still testing on animals. However, there are so many who boycott selling in these place to keep their brands cruelty-free!

The Body Shop

It's been a bit of a rocky relationship with The Body Shop- they were always known as being a great ethical skincare brand until they were bought by L'oreal (a brand that still tests animals when required by law), but thankfully after being sold to a different parent company, The Body Shop is back as one of my personal favourite skincare stops on the high street for cruelty free and vegan skincare as well as make-up, haircare and more. 

They have also recently started a scheme similar to Lush where when you return the plastic containers used for their products, you will receive a £5 voucher for The Body Shop. I think this is a really great way to reduce waste by letting them reuse the plastic bottles and pots but also making sure the brand is accounting for its own waste and helping it be recycled properly. From what I know, right now, this isn't in every store and is only on certain plastic types that they will recycle. However, I hope that in the future, they will look at finding a solution by having all their products in packaging that can be returned and recycled. 

Superdrug

When will I stop shouting about my love for Superdrug? Right now, I can predict that this will never happen! Superdrug is always my go-to for skincare, beauty staples and some great cruelty-free brands. Even their own-brand products are affordable and ethical as they are Leaping Bunny approved. Yes, they aren't the most sustainable with their packaging and they also support and stock brands that aren't as conscious, but they have so many great cruelty-free and vegan products for all areas of your beauty routine which is amazing. 

Fashion

For fashion, it's really about waste - shops offer clothes at great bargains but are they ethically sourced? Are they paying their workers fairly? Are they helping in any way to be more eco-friendly with the waste they are producing from mass production? It may be obvious that in order to have something that is a more eco-friendly, well-sourced slow-fashion item made by a company that makes sure their workers are treated well, the clothing is going to be a little more pricey. But, this doesn't have to be a break-the-bank more pricey but just a few-extra-pounds more pricey. Making small changes yourself in cutting down the number of clothes you buy and only wear once and also opting for brands that offer items from better-sourced materials - this is how we can become more sustainable with our shopping! 

H&M

While H&M isn't always a shop I enjoy going to (their varying sizes baffle my mind!), they have made some great steps to be more conscious in their sourcing of some of their ranges. They now even have a range of basics that use better-sourced cotton and it's only £1 or 2 more than their usual mass-produced ranges. This is something I'm willing to spend for a more ethical and higher quality option that is sure to last a lot longer. Also, their 100% organic cotton sheets are amazing and are some of the cheapest sheets they actually stock! 

If you've been into H&M over the past year, you may have noticed that most of their stores (if not all) now have a drop-off point where you can recycle old clothes. A small addition like this means more and more people can recycle their clothes properly instead of just shoving it in any old bin and it never being recycled and repurposed. 

Monki

Like H&M, Monki now has a great range of items in their "Monki cares" line which focussing on using more consciously sourced materials. In fact, Monki has said that, since 2018, 100% of the cotton used in their garments is 100% sustainably sourced and uses organic and recycled cotton! Monki is really a fabulous company that also doesn't support the production of products tested on animals and the use of animal fur in their products. 

They are really showing that sustainable options can be accessible and at affordable prices. They have made it super easy for us to shop more ethically and, now, it's just about getting the balance in buying what we need and not just constantly buying what's in fashion each season - timeless pieces are so much better! 

Read more about Monki's stance on sustainable fashion. 

Lucy & Yak 

While technically this can only be found on the high street of Brighton, Lucy & Yak is a company that my friends are probably sick of me going on about. They are a smaller brand that is leading by example with sustainably made clothing including recycled fabrics from polyester to even recycled plastic bottles being used in their products. 

I'd say their prices are comparable to Topshop but the quality is on a different level as well as their ethics. So if you'd pay for Topshop quality, why not pay for this? 

Lucy & Yak put the treatment of their staff and manufacturers in India above anyone else - they make sure they receive competitive pay and work in good conditions. Not only that, as I say, they are really focused on cutting down waste and being a great sustainable brand. If you head over to their site, you may recognise their great dungarees which I've been eyeing up for ages. I actually recently bought their 'Blake' Cosy Cropped Fleece and I love it! It's definitely a piece I'll be wearing all winter as well as next year I'm sure.

So these are just a few favourite high street brands I love. And why? Because they are showing that fast fashion high street brands can take steps to become more ethical and sustainable without causing a hole in their customer's pockets. They're showing that if they can do it, why isn't everyone else? This isn't even an exhaustive list of high street UK brands doing their bit (would you like to see a part 2?). 

What I would urge is that you do your research! So many brands may seem as though they are helping when sometimes they are really only following the eco-trend. The conversation around sustainability and ethical brands is ongoing and I'd love to hear your opinions! 

Sarah x 

*AD - I was kindly invited to the opening preview of the Moving To Mars exhibition. However, this post is not sponsored and all opinions remain my own. * 

Since moving to London, I seem to spend my weekends in different galleries and museums - you can never seem to run out of exhibitions to go to! One place I was yet to visit was The Design Museum, so when I got the email inviting me to preview of their new exhibition "Moving To Mars", I jumped at the chance.

The new exhibition is focussed around the design elements that have gone in to and are still being developed for the mission to Mars. From how they will live there to what they will wear, the exhibition looks at these as well as giving us an overview as to the progress towards man going to Mars. It's an exhibition you may expect to see in somewhere like the Science Museum but I think it fits right at home at the Design Museum. 
One element I loved was the message of sustainability. In the opening talk someone spoke amount the climate of Mars and how inhospitable it is; how everything on Mars needs to be focussed on being sustainable, recyclable with an aim to minimise waste there - does this sound familiar? This is what many are trying to on Earth so we don't have to live in these almost uninhabitable conditions ourselves. The message is that being able to survive on Mars in these conditions can teach us a lot about how we need to treat our own planet and become more sustainable. 


My knowledge of fashion is definitely less than I wished but one of my favourite parts was the contribution from fashion studio, Raeburn who focus on fashion repurposing and sustainability. For example, they've taken material from old parachutes and turned it into high-end fashion pieces. As someone who is trying to focus more on sustainable fashion and sustainable living, this was really interesting to hear about as well as see the models wearing the designs from their New Horizon's collection at the event.

This was a really interesting exhibition and I loved how they managed to turn something that could be quite a complicated, scientific topic, into something understandable and truly interesting. There were so many different elements to this exhibition and I love how they chose to break it down to make it engaging and focusing on different aspects of the design from take-off to landing back on Earth.

The event was fairly short for me - I turned up, heard the opening talk and walked around the exhibition. But, with many members of the press interviewing the exhibition collaborators and filming, I tried not to be too much a nuisance. Therefore, I didn't get as long as I would have hoped to really read and explore its full potential, however, from what I saw, I really recommend and I know I'll be heading back to this exhibition again before it closes next year.

If you're interested, the exhibition is now open and will be running until February 2020.

Sarah x
I always find it fun to discover new blogs to follow and read. If I'm honest, I find it more and more difficult to find unique bloggers that I enjoy reading but recently I've been overwhelmed with how many fabulous blogs there are out there. I've shared some favourite blogs in the past but I thought it was time to share with you a few new blogs I've been loving to read.

Sammyetc

Sammy's blog is probably the most recent I've discovered but one I have loved to read. I love the mix of beauty and skincare posts as well as the more chatty lifestyle articles. Her photography and theme are also super clean and pretty, which I love. I particularly love her "Shy Girl Guides" posts - can definitely relate! 

JadeMarie

Jade has been the blogger I've gone to when I'm in search of some inspiration - her posts are always really unique, thoughtful and helpful. I also love the posts she shares about improving your blog and I actually subscribe to her newsletter - I love the content she shares on there! She is also fabulous of twitter which is a plus. 

The Curvacious Vegan 

I see Amie's content pop up on my Twitter fairly often and I always pop over to her blog to see what she's been up to. Again, the unique chatty posts I adore and love to read. I just get the feeling that Amie is a great person from her blog and is super lovely. Amie's blog is definitely worth the read! 

The Cozie

Sofia's blog is another more recent find but makes me feel all warm inside when I give the posts a read. If you're wanting some more easy-to-read, friendly posts then this blog is for you. It's another great source of inspiration. 
I may have only discovered this blog the other day but I spent an hour browsing the pages of Rebeca's blog. I love her photography and the way she structures her post. I particularly loved "Finding beauty in the uncomfortable: London". I've recently moved to London so this one definitely resonated with me. 


I haven't seen many bloggers really sharing the love of other blogs for a while - it was something a few years ago everyone was doing! So, I thought I'd bring it back and hopefully help you discover a new blog to read as I share with you my favourite blogs of 2019! 

What blogs do you enjoy reading at the moment?  
Hope you're great, 
Sarah x
This isn’t the usual thing I post on here but something I did want to share. If you don’t know Sam Fender, by the end of this I hope you will take some time to give his music a listen, especially his newly-released debut album Hypersonic Missiles.

I was in my final year of uni last year when I decided to join the on-campus music magazine’s writing pool. I’d already got my tickets for Sam’s gig in York and just a week before the date, the chance to interview Sam Fender came about. I’d interviewed one band before this - a local band basically unknown at the time -  so you could say I was bricking it. But, before I could talk my shy, nervous self out of it, I said I’d do it.

I can't say the interview went off without a hitch. My interview technique was far from perfect and was laced with slight silences as I tried to remember what I wanted to ask without accidentally spurting out “what’s your favourite colour?”. But, I survived and while I spent the next few weeks cringing at little comments I made, I was still proud of myself.

As I mentioned, Sam has just released his first album and I thought now would be the perfect time to share this story as, while I don’t have the ability to interview him again, I still wanted to share with you my experience. While only small compared to many, this was one of my biggest accomplishments of last year. The original write-up was published in the campus magazine but never online so I wanted to share a newly edited version here with a few extra bits that didn’t make it into the original write-up.


The Interview "In Conversation with Sam Fender" - 30/08/18

This past year has seen Sam Fender's career soar and if you've not heard of him, now is the time to give him a listen. 

With his UK tour just starting, Fender dropped into York for his second date. The hidden upper-floor of Fibbers, a popular spot for students for a night out, was where we spoke. It resembled an illicit speakeasy, juxtaposing with the hazy, stifling venue below. 

It was almost a year to the date I'd seen Sam support VANT here, his impressive vocals leaving a lasting impression. "Touring is an invaluable and an amazing way to build a fan base", he acknowledged. After supporting the likes of Hozier and George Ezra, his popularity has risen considerably, with all six of his consecutive London dates sold out. Appearances at summer festivals similarly boosted his fan base. 

Unsurprisingly, this proved a hectic experience: "It was a mad, relentless crusade but done with a world of good" he described his summer as. The never-ending tours and continuous release of new tracks has paid off: Fender is quickly becoming recognised as one of the country's most exciting artists. 

Sam's tour started after the release of the latest single 'That Sound'. The track was debuted in anticipation for the soon-to-be-released EP Dead Boys, out on 20th of November, 2018. Interestingly, Sam has decided to opt-out of CD release. Instead, the EP will only be available on vinyl, cassette and the usual streaming platforms. 

"Why vinyl and cassette?" I asked. 
"Only people who buy CD's tend to be, like, my auntie and she wouldn't buy my CD. She buys like..."
"Michael Bublé?"
"Yeah! Or like the guy off the Chase... What's the point of a CD when everyone is just going to download it anyway? Vinyl, if you love an artist, it's like you actually own something of theirs. It's a physical thing; all the artwork and extras that you wouldn't get with a download or CD. I think it's more dedication to the cause. If you like an artist, you should buy their stuff. Vinyl has its place still - put a download code on top of it and it's great. And cassettes? They're a piece of piss - they're cheap and a bit of fun." 

Sam went on to express his own love for vinyl and owning Donny Hathaway's second self-titled album: 
"He's such a great soul singer and I have his vinyl up on my wall."
"Has he influenced you as an artist?"
"He doesn't influence my writing, but he influences me in the way he's one of the best singers of all time... He was a singer I was brought up listening to." 

I went on to ask if there were any songs he was particularly looking forward to releasing. "Poundshop Kardashians seems to be one that's caught a lot of attention... I'm sure it'll get me into trouble, hopefully" he joked. "No, I don't want that. People just get excited by something that's provocative but it's essentially just a rant". He also mentioned he was excited for people to hear "Spice" as well. 

We took some time to speak about the title track on his EP, "Dead Boys", a song that caused traction across major radio stations and UK TV. It's a track that deals with the topic of male suicide - a subject that is close to him and relates to events in his hometown. Fender really shows the power that music can have; its positive influence and ability to send a message. 

It may have been a while before the release but I had to ask. 
"And how is the album going then?" 
"The album is already written. We're starting to record it this week. It's going to be a grander sounding thing." 
He described it as a mix of familiar material and songs with a sound completely alien to fans. "One song has a sax, glockenspiel, piano, twenty-six guitars, bass, drums, even choirs of voices. I wanted a Phil Spector Wall of Sound thing that just hits you in the face." 

It was getting to the end of the interview and I was already run out of questions to ask, I felt so underprepared. I ended up panicking and asking "For people who haven't listened to you before, what would you say to them?" 

Sam paused and kind of took a minute to think. He started to reply what seemed like a more formulated answer before shrugging his shoulders, a slight shake of the head and changing his answer "You know, I'm not really that bothered about convincing people to like me." The way he said this shouldn't be taken the wrong way; it was by no means the way that may come across as narcissistic. Instead, it's quite the opposite; he's happy with the listeners he already has and doesn't feel the need to persuade people with his words to give him a listen but more, as he says, "If you hear and you like it then great." 

The interview soon came to an end and we headed back downstairs where we followed the sound of the bass undertones from the rehearsal. As we walked near the stage, I said something but I don't think he caught it; the rehearsal was too loud to really hear and he already seemed immersed in listening to the support act warm-up, so I quietly left to join my friends waiting outside for the show. 

Since then, Sam has accomplished so much more, going from sold-out show to sold-out tours for this year and next. Bigger venues, bigger releases and more. Doing this interview is still one of my biggest accomplishments and I'm so glad I took the chance to do it. 

Throughout the interview, Sam came across as a humble and modest guy who was in awe of his own achievements so far. 
"I can't talk about everything without throwing a load of platitudes at you because it's all dream-level stuff. It's all completely off the wall and I'm overwhelmed by it all. How the fuck has this even happened?" This was after the release of his EP. I'd love to know how he's feeling now after the release of his album. 

I'm kind of hoping me sharing this, if you weren't convinced already, will persuade you to give Sam Fender a listen and, if anything more, buy his album available on vinyl and CD now. 

This was something a little different from my usual posts but I hope you enjoyed it all the same. 
Sarah x 
A Mindful Journal and Self-Care apps to improve your wellbeing and mental health

I shared recently why self-care is productive and how you shouldn't feel guilty for taking time for yourself, to help you destress and put yourself first. For students, life can quickly become stressful. You're thrown into a new environment where you have to adjust, navigate your way around a new environment and new friendships as well as managing the workload. Even maybe you have a part-time job on top of that. Things can feel overwhelming.

I for sure neglected self-care in the first year or so of uni, but by the end, I feel I really found a balance between enjoying student life while making sure I was comfortable with the stress levels I faced and found time for self-care that worked for me. With a new set of students heading off to uni and others returning for another year, I felt now was the perfect time to share some ways to practice self-care as a student as well as a few things to keep in mind. So, here are some tips and ideas for students to practice self-care. 

Self Care Tip #1 Find something you love

Whether it's joining a society, a gym, volunteering or making sure you take some time each week to do something you enjoy, it's a great way to take your mind off things for an hour. I remember in the third year I joined the aerobics society; having that once a week, no matter if I'd had a bad day, I'd go and always came out of it feeling so much happier and more energised. I also realised that I loved to draw and doodle and how much of a destresser it was for me. This was something I did less often but still, when I did find time for this, I found it very therapeutic. I feel if you find something separate from uni work to focus on, it can really help.

Self Care Tip #2"There's an app for that" 

Something I wish I'd had at uni was the abundance of apps that can actually really help your wellbeing and also act as self-care. Something I spoke out in my happy habits post was the app daylio - this is an app to track your mood, what you've been doing and can help you see when you're happiest and when you're not your best. 

Another app I used at the end of uni after it's release was Sayana. This was such an interesting app and it was kind of a journalling app in the layout of texts - you would answer questions and their responses differ depending on your answers. Sayana also gave you advice of mindful tips based on how you're feeling and you could look back on these methods after. If you're struggling to find someone to talk to, maybe try this to help speak through your problems. 

There is also an abundance of daily journalling apps out there right now. I prefer a prompted journal format but there are so many different app options to explore to help you find the right one. 

While this recommendation may be old news to you, Headspace is so relaxing - I tried it in some sessions run during my internship and I wish I'd used it back in uni so, here's me telling you to give it a go! Also, if you have Spotify, with unidays it is no extra cost to have Headspace as well as Spotify - which is great. I would definitely recommend checking that out. 

Self Care Tip #3 Cut the screen time 

Slight contradiction to my last recommendations of self-care apps, but this is more aimed at unproductive, endless scrolling of social media. I found the days I had the highest screen time were those that I also tended to feel run down and a little low. Since cutting my screen time and doing something different that I enjoy, like reading, I have felt a lot better. As a student, I know it's hard to step away from everything going on on social media but taking some time away did me the world of good. 

Self Care Tip #4 Stay Healthy 

You may have moved to uni with only a small (if any) repertoire of recipes you can cook and so you're stuck in the same constant spaghetti bolognese and beans on toast cycle. I found cooking different and healthy meals was a really good way to boost my mood. Not just from taking some time to cook but also enjoying meals that were a little different every so often and also a little better for me - it helped me sleep better, feel more energised and just overall happier.

Self Care Tip #5 Speak Out

At my uni, we were constantly reminded about the services on offer for students who are struggling so, if you're starting university soon, I would definitely find out where you can get information about what services they offer for people struggling with stress, mental health and anything else. Knowing where to access this information will help you out a lot later on. 

While they may be new to you, you're all in the same boat so if you're struggling, speak to one of your housemates. If not them, maybe a friend from home? Try and check in on your family as well - it can be quite relaxing to hear from your close ones if you're stressed or down. 


Did you take time for self-care as a student? If did, what did you do? If didn't, what do you wish you did? 

Hope you're doing great, 
Sarah x

It's been a while since I've shared some of my favourites. I have shared some beauty favourites not too long ago as well as some great TV, book and music picks. Today, I wanted to share some more miscellaneous staples that I've been using and loving day-to-day. 

Iced Coffee

It may be nearing the end of summer and, honestly, I'm ready to embrace the cosy cold weather, but that hasn't stopped me loving iced coffee or I guess my more 'bootleg', a homemade concoction that I like to call an iced coffee. I mean, hey, it still tastes like a Starbucks to me! If I'm reading, I make one. Blogging, yes I'll have one. Cleaning? Another one, please! I think I've become extremely basic for loving this and I guess my Starbucks glass does not help the cause but for how good it tastes, I'm not mad about it. 

If you're interested in making your own at-home iced coffee, be sure to check my COFFEE Insta story highlight for a lil' tutorial - no fancy espresso machine is needed! 

M&S Cotton Straight Jeans

I really owe this love to Becc4 after she shared this fab pick over on Instagram. I never thought I'd be someone who went in for light white or cream jeans as well as something in this super straight style, but here I am! I loved the fact that they were responsibly sourced cotton, not bank-breaking at £19.50 and also came in short, regular and long fits - of course, 5ft 4 (ok, 5ft 3) me got the short fit. 

For a style like this, you can find similar in Urban Outfitters and Topshop for £40+ so why not go for cheaper, more sustainable and just fabulous looking jeans? I never thought M&S would be a place I'd find my favourite jeans but I'm so glad I found these. While I don't think they will, if M&S did decide to expand their colour range to include a light pink pair, I'll be waiting at the shop doors ready to pay!

Normal People by Sally Rooney

This year in reading hasn't been the best for me - so many books that leave me feeling unsatisfied, so when I read this book, my faith in reading was restored instantly! I was so tempted to do a full review of this book like I used to but that's just encouraging me to ramble on about this book in a likely incohesive manner so, let me try and summarise. I had already read Mr Salary (a short story by Sally Rooney) so I knew her writing style was one I could get behind and enjoy. Not just the writing style but the story was one I was fully engrossed in; it follows two teenagers from opposite backgrounds that become connected in high school and onto college. This isn't the young adult book I may have made it sound, but a story you think has been done 1000x before in such a different way.

You know how a book can feel warm and fuzzy but something happens to leave you crying at the end? This is the complete opposite - it gives a dull heartwrenching feeling throughout the whole book. You're rooting for the characters while simultaneously having your heart broken slowly. I devoured this book and I think you will too. I am already excited to read her other book Conversations with Friends very soon.

Sony Headphones

When my last pair of earphones broke, it was time to say goodbye to the love of Happy Plugs and I  switch it up with some headphones. I bought my dad the same headphones for Christmas a few years ago and he loves them, so I thought I'd pick the same up for myself. They're nothing groundbreaking - no Bluetooth, volume control, noise cancellation - but for me, they do the job. They are actually the perfect headphones for my commute and I love that they fold down really compact to make them the perfect size to fit in my bag. 

Brent by Jeremy Zucker & Chelsea Cutler

"What have you been using your new headphones to listen to, Sarah?" I hear you ask. Well, not long ago I discovered Jeremy Zucker who I have already shared my love of in a previous post. When this new EP with Chelsea Cutler appeared on my Spotify I had to give it a listen. They have such a melancholic sound with these slow songs that are easy to listen to. I've found it the perfect soundtrack while I'm reading as well as in the evening when I'm settling down. If you're looking for some new tracks to add to your chill, easy-listen playlist, I'd check this out. 

So there are a few more lifestyle favourites I've been loving lately. I find myself reaching for these every day and so I had to share them! 

What have you been loving lately? I'd love to hear any and all recommendations! 
Hope you're doing great, 
Sarah  x 
Working from home tips to improve productivity
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It's been a while since I worked from home, but whenever I do there are a few things I bear in mind. Here, I share some more general tips for you freelancers, students and bloggers who struggle to keep productive when working at home.

1. Get dressed & ready

I for sure have had those days working from home when I've opted to stay in my pjs because who wants to get out of those comfy clothes?! However, I hate to be a pyjama party pooper but I always found I feel sluggish during the day if I do this - my motivation to work just isn't as it would be if I got myself up and dressed. When I realised that having a morning routine like that of going out of the house for work made me more productive, I found my productivity, especially in the morning, increased. 

2. Create work-life boundaries

This is one of the main things I touched on in my post about creating a productive workspace - having boundaries from where you work and where you don't is one of my keys to keeping productive. Create an office space - a desk is probably best but if you don't have that then create an area that is just for working. Whether it's a seat at your kitchen counter or a specific spot on your sofa that you dedicate to working. This just makes you feel like when you're in that spot, you're working. 

Working from home comes with its perks; being in close proximity to the fridge, being able to do laundry in between emails. But, I also think it's useful to try and treat it like you are actually in an office. I tried to work the hours 9-5 to help split up my time and not tempt me from working from my bed too often or working later into the evening when I should be switching off. 

By having these boundaries, I found not only could I switch off more easily in the evening but I was productive during my working hours as I knew that I could only work during these hours and so needed to get as much done as possible. 

3. Know when you're most productive

This is a slight contradiction on my last point of having hours similar to office hours but, if you have more control over the time you have to work when you're at home, then knowing when you are most productive can really help schedule around this. 

I find I'm most productive first thing in the morning, so I try and it's now that I  tackle my bigger tasks. Then, mid-morning I tend to hit a lull. Here, I decide to do the more mindless tasks that don't require too much concentration. I also try and plan my lunchtime around my productive times. If I know I tend to flag around 12:30, I'll try and have my lunch then before starting again later when I know I'm more productive again in the afternoon. 

4. Don't be overly ambitious

This was something I always failed to do. Even though I didn't even finish my to-do list that day, I would somehow think that tomorrow I'd be able to double that - not going to happen! Instead, having a priority list of maybe 3-5 big tasks that need to get done every day (depending on how big they were) and a few extras that if I get round to them, then great! 

I find this helps not only stop me from becoming demotivated when I don't achieve all my daily goals but also stop me from working into the evening to try and get the rest of my to-dos done. 


5. Have a killer playlist

Some people choose to work in silence but, even now when I work in an office, having background music just helps me to get into the rhythm of working. I find it especially helpful to keep me productive when tackling the smaller jobs like replying to emails, filling in spreadsheets etc. 

If you're looking for some good work recommendations to help motivate you while not being too distracting, check out my new COFFEE playlist on Spotify. 

6. Try to leave the house each day

I think this is super important to be able to take a real break away from the stress of sitting and working all day. Maybe take some time to meet your friends for a coffee take a walk or just nip to the shop. 

I found when I worked from home, spending days on end inside when I had a lot of work actually left me feeling unhappy with myself as well as in my work. So, I can definitely vouch for the positives on your happiness and productivity for taking some time to get out of the house to switch off from your work for a little while. 

Is there anything I missed? Leave how you stay motivated to work in the comments! 
Hope you're doing great, 
Sarah x


self care essentials - book, music, nice drink
I recently shared my sunday routine where I wrote about how I make the most of my Sunday. I loved reading the comments on that post; it was so nice to read how everyone chooses to spend the last day of the week. One thing people said was how productive my Sundays are, when a lot of people tend to take the day to relax and 'do nothing'. I wanted to share that, like many of you, I too have days where I will sit and 'do nothing'. Maybe read a book, watch Netflix, probably not leave the house or really get ready but that's OK because I don't think that's being unproductive- I'm still doing something I need to do and that's looking after myself; giving myself some chill time and some needed self-care. 

Focussing on you should be a priority

Many people don't prioritise self-care. We tend to forget to give ourselves a much-needed break from work, life stress and just sit and do something for ourselves. It's hard to comprehend that sitting and doing something for yourself is as productive as writing a blog post, going to work, doing the jobs around the house. But, just like being productive in these aspects, self-care is beneficial in ways you may not realise. 

You may feel guilty or even selfish for taking time for you but don't. We all need that time! I get it though; I always feel like I should be ticking off those to-dos, meeting with friends but I know that's not what I need and I should be prioritising what I do need. And, what I need is self-care!  

Neglect can lead to burnout

Simple- if you don't take time for yourself, it's going to bite you on the bum in the future. Whether it's constantly overworking and not taking time to process other parts of your life, it's easy to become overwhelmed, which can affect not just your mental health but actual health as well. 

During uni, I was always pushing myself to work. I'd think the more I focussed the quicker the work would be done and the quicker I could relax. However, the workload seemed neverending at points and I just kept trying to push through but, in the end, I was tired, sad and still as stressed as before.  It was when I would take a night off to do something with friends, ring my parents or just sit and watch a film, that I felt a lot happier and less burnt out when I returned to work.

I'm actually going to share a post all about student self-care, so look out for that soon!

Clearing your head can actually help
We've all been there. It's a busy week, we're on autopilot. Trying to get through those long stressful days and just pushing through. But, not giving ourselves some time to switch off can actually stop us from performing well at work and even feeling happy with our social lives. It's so much more beneficial to stop and take a break from it all. Whether you cook a nice meal, watch a film you've been wanting to watch, going for a walk or anything else to just ease your mind and focus on something completely separate from what causes you stress. 

When I'm taking time for myself, it's here when the pressure has eased that inspiration hits most. By clearing my head I can solve that problem I've been trying so hard to work out, I can think of a better way to do something at work, I think of a new blog post idea. From taking some time I always find it to actually help me be more productive. Whether it's from meditation or mindlessly watching some crap TV, or watching some youtube vlogs (my personal favourite), it is beneficial and is productive in the long run. 

While you might not feel it as being very productive, it will probably help you to be even more productive in the future. As you take some time to switch off auto and be in the moment, you can finally be more aware of everything that is going on around you. 

A self-care schedule does not exist

People may disagree with me on this one so I'd like to hear your opinions! When I share my productive posts, one thing I always say is how important a schedule is but for self-care, I don't think this is so applicable. While it's good to block out a night a week purely for yourself, I find it better to just listen to yourself. You know yourself best and so you will know when you should take some time to stop and look after yourself first. I find trying to do one small act of self-care a day the most beneficial for me but everyone is different! 

As you're starting to include more self-care into your routine, it's always hard to find the time so that's when scheduling some time in is good. But, later down the line, the best way is to just listen to yourself. 


Self-care is such a subjective thing as to how much time one needs for self-care and how they choose to do this, but it can positively impact everyone's mental health and wellbeing and I know how much better and productive I feel after taking some time to switch off. 

Do you agree? Do you feel you take enough time for self-care at the moment? 
Hope you're doing great, 
Sarah x
2019 diary to help be productive
I feel every day has its purpose. While Mondays are for getting started and Saturdays are for having some fun, I'd say Sundays are the time I try and get my life in order and get myself prepped for the Monday. Whether you're working full time, a student, a freelancer, if you have Sundays off, it gives you the perfect opportunity to make the following week go smoothly. This post is acting a little follow to my "Ways to Love Mondays" post as I mentioned there how important the Sunday is. 

Sunday is the perfect day to find time for yourself. While I try to make sure I'm doing on Saturday, Sunday is my down day- my prep day, my self-care day. And, while I'd love to just spend it in bed and relax, I can still have a chilled Sunday while keeping productive. Here I share a little Sunday routine that allows me to get the most out of the day while still enjoying it. 


THE MORNING 

A lie-in
OK, so I already said no lounging around but there is nothing wrong with a few extra hours in bed. While so many people are for the early mornings to make the most out of the day, I get it, but me making the most out of my Sunday is staying in bed. I've probably not enjoyed sleeping and really appreciated my chance to sleep so Sunday is the best time to treat myself to 20 minutes or an hour(or two) extra in bed. If I want to sleep longer, my body obviously needs it- a late start isn't necessarily a bad one. 

Enjoy your breakfast 
I love a Sunday roast as much as the next person; it's such a hearty meal that I've probably craved after a week of rushed meals after work. But, for me, I've actually found myself loving a bigger and more of a treat breakfast on a Sunday. I've probably been shoving the same breakfast in my mouth before flying out the door the whole week so, making time to try something new or an old breakfast favourite is the best thing to do on a Sunday morning. Homemade pancakes, waffles, poached egg on toast as all some of my favourites. Something like this makes the best start to my Sunday and will keep me full for a while so I can get on with everything else I want to.



Clean
No one wants to do it. But, you'll thank yourself later. It doesn't have to take hours but just getting the house in order and clean really makes me feel better and can help me settle down in the afternoon. I've probably neglected a lot of my space throughout the week so fluffing the cushions, vacuuming the floors and a quick polish can work wonders. I always love this time to listen to some music; whether it's a new playlist or some old-time favourites, it makes a change to my usual commuter playlist. If you want to see what I'm listening too, check out my Spotify. 

THE AFTERNOON

The Big To-Dos
Cleaning done, coffee brewed, I now find somewhere to sit comfortably (usually the sofa) and go through my diary. Are there any events in the next week? Any jobs I haven't got round to yet that I can finish today? Anything I have missed completing during the week, I try to prioritise them to start on Monday. One thing I try not to do is stress myself on Sunday. While it may show me I have a lot of to-dos, Sunday is to help me get it in order so I can manage it better tomorrow. 

Schedules & Plans
It's time to check when I'm free. If there's anything I need to do during the week, I can slot it in when I'm free. Not just putting in social plans but when to blog, when I want to be in the office by during the week. Even if a rough plan, it can help create some sort of routine through the week so I am nowt forgetting anything important or worried I can't fit everything in (which is never the case usually- I'm not much of a social butterfly!). 

Meal Prep & Planning
Checking what I have in the fridge and my cupboards, what needs using up and what I need to buy can help me effectively plan my meals so that I am not wasting any food leftover or buying too much. Sunday is usually the day I actually go and do my shopping (if I didn't on Monday). This is so I can start prepping any large meals. I tend to cook something on the Sunday in bulk that I'll have again on Monday and another night later that week or that I will freeze. It just helps if I get too tired or just can't be bothered later in the week so I'm not struggling to find something to eat. 

I also find cooking quite therapeutic so, to me, meal planning and prepping is not a chore but almost self-care.  Do you enjoy cooking or are you an avoid-at-all-costs kind of person? 

THE EVENING

People call it 'self-care Sunday' for a reason; it makes sense to end the week relaxed and prepared for the following one. Everyone's way of winding down differs. For me, taking some time to catch up on TV, read a book and even blogging can help me focus my attention away from work, life- anything that might have me a little stressed. 

A Goodnight's Sleep
I'm planning a whole post on my PM routine to show how I have created a routine that allows me to switch off and sleep well. Sunday is the perfect time to get your body clock adjusted and create a healthy sleep pattern. I make sure I don't stay up too late so I resent the Monday morning commute but still making sure that I have some time to myself to wind down slowly. 


So there's a look at my typical Sunday routine to help make the most of this chilled day and getting ready for the week to come. 

What does your typical Sunday look like? I'd love to hear about what you get up to!
Hope you're doing great, 
Sarah x
If you read my previous post "THINGS ARE HAPPENING" where I rambled a little about finishing university, you will have read that I have moved to London after living in York for three years while at university. Throughout my three years in York, I feel I have definitely become well acquainted with the area. With this, I thought it's time I shared with you my favourite spots in York that, if you're visiting are definitely worth a gander. These picks are also suitable if you're already a local but maybe want to know about a few of my recommendations of things to do in the area.

The Shambles Food Market 

If you're already planning a trip to York, you will no doubt be heading down The Shambles at some point. Known as the place that inspired Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter books, The Shambles is a hit with the tourists. However, apart from just visiting the cobbled streets filled with shops, I recommend taking some time to explore the small but great market, specifically the small food court. When I first came to York, this was just a couple of stalls but it has since expanded to have stalls of different cuisines to please all. My friend and I are massive fans of the Thai stand that do a great sweet chilli chicken and pad thai.


If you are a local and working in the centre, this is a great alternative to your regular meal deal at lunchtime. They offer some great filling options for reasonable prices while you are also supporting some local restaurants and businesses.


The York Art Gallery 

This is a place I wish I went to sooner than I did as well as more often to fully appreciate the different exhibitions the gallery had on. From the handful of times I visited, the staff were extremely friendly and were up for a chat about the art and different exhibitions. In the past, they've had a Quentin Blake exhibition, which was great for the kids, as well as Aesthetic Magazine exhibition which I really enjoyed and allowed me to discover some new artists that I now love and follow their work.


It's not a big gallery but for a small city, it's a great addition. It's worth keeping up to date with the exhibitions on when visiting and dropping in during your stay. For those living and studying in York, you are able to get discounted, if not free, entry into the gallery along with other museums across the city. It's definitely worth looking into and you can find more out about this here.

The Waterstones Cafe

I know what you're thinking. "This is a weird recommendation. Isn't it just a Costa?". The cafe in the York Waterstones is much nicer than other Waterstones that do just have a Costa. It's a lovely coffee shop on the upper floor of the shop that is the perfect location for a drink and cake with a great view of the main shopping street of York below.

I spent many a day hear during my degree. If was wanting a to get out of the house for a change of scenery or if I had some time to kill before a shift at my part-time job, I always ended up here either with my laptop working or my head in a book. The coffee also isn't badly priced at all so it was great to grab a drink then head to peruse the thousands of books while resisting the urge to buy any more.

I also want to add an honorary mention to Spring Espresso which is a coffee shop I spoke about in "THE BEST PANCAKES IN YORK". This is another great location for a coffee; in my opinion, they do the best, iced mocha I've ever had.

Rowntree Park 

This is the perfect place to spend a summers day in York. With a park and play area for the kids to explore and enjoy, lovely gardens to walk through as well as a walk along the canal to get here by foot, it's the perfect open space to enjoy in the sun.


My friends and I have been there for a picnic in the past as well as a game or two of frisbee when it's been warmer as well as a visit to the reading cafe that's within the park when it's a little chillier or we just want to grab a drink.

The museum gardens are the usual place tourists chose to visit in the centre to soak up a few rays but, if you don't mind a short walk, I highly recommend going here to enjoy your picnic. It tends to be a lot quieter while being a lot bigger and, in my opinion, a little nicer to be just a bit out of the city.

Have you ever been to York? 
Hope you're doing great, 
Sarah x 

Here we have some life ramblings of things happening at the moment... 




If you had spoken to me a month ago and asked me the dreaded question of "So, Sarah, what are you doing after university?" I would have to make something up about looking for a job and nervously laugh as the real answer is actually "I have no clue".  I had ideas of plan A, B and C in my head but I had no idea whether these were real plans that were realistic or would work for me. I actually have ended up with an outcome that I never had planned and so I thought I'd share with you how things have changed in the past few months and how they are going to carry on changing in the future. 

Graduating for University
If you didn't know, I've spent the past three years studying Psychology BSc at the University of York. As of last Thursday, I am officially a graduate and I have said goodbye to the university that I adored. On the whole, I really loved spending the last few years here as well as living in such a lovely city. More sadly, it's time to say goodbye to that beloved student discount; I really don't know what I'll do without it! 

After quite a stressful and tough final year, I shocked myself by managing to come out with a first in my degree. I'm so happy that all my hard work paid off! I loved my degree as it was so fascinating and I was always learning something new. While I'm giving my psychological brain a rest, for now, my love for the subject will always be there and I may revisit the subject in the future. 

I am thinking of doing a more in-depth post about my time in university and what third-year specifically taught me as well as some honest thoughts about my university so keep an eye out for that one. 

Getting a Job 
I'll keep this brief but yes, I manage to find a job! An internship to be specific but one I think will open a lot of doors and will be a really fun and interesting position in a really creative company. 

I think I may do a separate post on this later down the line once I'm settled into the role but, honestly, if it wasn't for my blog, I don't think I would have been able to get this internship and the position I did. I'm so excited to start this internship next week! 

Moving to London
I remember saying a few weeks ago "I could never move to London" and two weeks later I was planning on moving down there. As I started looking for jobs, it seems very evident that, while I'd love to stay in York, London was where the experience was and the jobs I wanted. 

While most people do move back home with their parents, after managing to save enough money from my part-time job to put a deposit on a flat, I couldn't see myself adjusting back to living with the family. I thought it seemed perfect to challenge myself a little by moving out completely after uni and moving to London. Along with getting this internship in London, it seemed only right. 

I'll be moving down this Thursday and I can quite frankly admit that I am scared with just the weekend to adjust enough to start my job the following Monday. I don't think I'll be more ready than I am now so fingers crossed it all works out. 


A lot of big changes are happening at once and, for once, I seem to be embracing it (with still a pinch of apprehension). As university ends, my new chapter in London is soon to start and while I'm incredibly nervous to be living in a completely new and unknown environment, I'm also excited to see how it all goes. 

Hope you're doing great, 
Sarah x