Exploring Oslo: The Outfits
1 June 2015
Aker Brygge, Oslo, Norway
Monday 25th May 2015 - Day One: After arriving on Sunday night, I wanted to hit the ground running on Monday morning with a fay full of non-stop adventuring. The weather was comfortable, despite hitting a little rain later on in the day. The first stop was The Vigeland Park which is also full of sculptures. It was then strolling past Oslo Central Station and Oslo Opera House to spend the sunset in Aker Brygge by the Oslofjord. The day took a lot of travelling which I absolutely loved, as I have never travelling on a tram before, despite visiting Manchester countless times.
Dress // Primark
Cardigan // made for me
Shoes // Evans
Watch // Marks & Spencer
Bag // TK Maxx
Sunglasses // Next (similar)
Jacket // Next
Beanie // Urban Outfitters (similar)
Scarf // thrifted
Tuesday 26th May 2015 - Day Two: The second day started at 7am at Universitetets Botaniske Hage Tøyenhagen, also known as the Botanical Gardens in Oslo. The clouds were out today so I knew I had to start with my jacket which is reversible, making it extremely easy to add that extra pop of colour to an otherwise basic look. Electric blue is one of my favourite colours, because I think it's the colour that suits me better than most shades. My slip-on shoes were extremely handy for trecking between the gardens, the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, the Royal Palace and Grünerløkka.
Top // Primark
Shoes // Evans
Watch // Marks & Spencer
Bag // TK Maxx
Sunglasses // Next (similar)
Jacket // Next
Beanie // thrifted
Scarf // thrifted
Wednesday 27th May 2015 - Day Three: The third and final day was spend at the Holmenkollbakken ski jumping hill which was amazing (don't worry, photos coming soon.) I absolutely loved the views and it really showed how beautiful Oslo can be. The sun made yet another appearance which was great for the last day. Despite the warmer weather, being high up brings a strong breeze so I threw on my oversized check shirt, and original piece from my airport ensemble. The closing day's look was all about comfort as I knew I had a good few hours of sitting down slowly approaching.
Dress // Primark
Watch // Marks & Spencer
Shirt // thrifted
Sunglasses // Next (similar)
Working in a Big Corporation
30 May 2015
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
Managers should not be feared.
At my age and with my first job, it was natural for me to be intimidated by the leaders around me. They have more knowledge and experience, they know how the building and the business works. But it's also important to remember everyone had to start somewhere. It's very rare managers automatically assumed this position without building up from somewhere. Managers vary depending on the company or area of work - but there is no reason to fear them. I'm lucky to have a very kind boss, but I know this isn't always the case. Standing up to whoever's in charge for what you believe is right isn't against the law, plus it shows your workmates you're not weak or to be pushed around.
Asking questions doesn't mean you're stupid.
Every employee has to ask questions at some point, even those in charge. When I first started, I went through a form of training but this was an entirely new area of work that I wasn't familiar with. I work in investments and barely scraped a maths GCSE. So it become logical to just ask about what I didn't understand. It's better to have peace of mind while working, rather than worrying about what mistakes could be made due to fear of speaking up. Don't look as mistakes as a bad thing, they can be the best way to learn.
Notebooks are my best friends.
When I first started, there were a few other newbies around me so I didn't feel too nervous. However, not one of them brought a notebook. I was the only one who did and tried not to feel flustered by being the odd one out. Fast forward by two weeks, and half of the new employees were asking to photocopy the notes I made during the first week of training. Write down as much as possible, you never know when the jottings will come in handy.
Make some human friends.
Working all day can easily become tiring so there's no reason why there can't be some element of fun or entertainment. I got tired of sitting without saying a word, so I struck up a conversation with an employee sat close to my desk. It wasn't long before the whole office joined in and time passed before we knew it! Socialisation is good for the mind and is a great way to get work done without getting too distracted from the job.
Evenings are everything.
Finishing work at five in the evening isn't the greatest thing, but I know it could be worse. After getting home at about 6pm, I'm exhausted. But remembering the evenings are very valuable and precious motivates me to shower and blog in my spare time. It was only once I started working that I noticed how quickly the weekend moves compared to the weekdays. It's important to take time to relax, but having a shorter amount of time after work certainly keeps me organised and efficient.
Dream big.
Working full time has given me more motivation than school ever did. After seeing where some of the highest people in the company begin, it helps me to aspire to lead a successful career in my own time and try to take in as much as possible. Working also motivates me to blog more often and communicate with others in this ever-growing community.
Why I Love Spring
26 May 2015
Eldwick, Bingley, Bingley, West Yorkshire BD16, UK
Living in Yorkshire means there's fields at every corner. Where I live in particular, there are plenty of farms which means springtime brings out the most adorable lambs and calves. The sight every morning is heart melting as they roam around, tripping over their own limbs and chasing birds. During the night, the babies make plenty of noise in search for their mothers but it's not difficult to get used to.
Spring often brings rain storms which I love, when I'm inside. Sitting with a page-turning book while watching the clouds darken the sky and the rain fall is relaxing and enjoyable. The sounds is great to fall asleep and wake-up to and creates the perfect excuse for lighting candles.
I suffer with extreme hay fever that never seems to be under control. During the springtime, I can enjoy the sun and nice weather without falling into a full-on sneeze fit and sporting bright red eyes. Hay fever doesn't kick in until summer which makes the season ideal for me. Bees don't usually make an appearance until summer either, which means I can walk around freely without the panic of a tiny buzzing insect. Bees and wasps terrify me, most likely because I have never been stung.
The flowers are in bloom and we being to see colour every where after the basic colours winter brings. Blossoms are such a stunning colour and look magical when falling from the trees and blanketing the ground. The weather during the spring can be quite hit and miss, but it's great for movie nights and bonfires. It's an excuse to grab as many blankets as possible and curl up feeling cosy all night long. It's not too hot and most of the time not too cold. There are often some nice sunny days during April and May and I see spring as the build-up for what summer is about to bring.
What do you love about this season?
[Photo 3 credit]
Oslo Ready
23 May 2015
Tomorrow evening I will be jetting from Manchester Airport and hitting Oslo around 9pm - no doubt heading straight to bed. I then have a few days to explore the streets of Norway and learn about a breathtaking city along the way. There are so many different places I want to visit, Oslo is just the beginning. My 'One Way Ticket' board on Pinterest is slowly filling with photos of places I have never even heard of (alongside the occasional Eiffel Tower shot) and it only ignites my desire to travel around the world. Trying new food, traditions and even outfits is on my bucket list. And hopefully travelling as much as possible, around my job, will tick a few off those items. I'll be tweeting, pinning and reblogging throughout my trip too!
I'm one of some very frustrating people that leaves packing to the very last minute - which I have done this time round too. Unfortunately, I'm not the best packer, so travelling home should be interesting. But one thing I do love is going somewhere new, just visiting the airport alone is exciting.
The weather in Oslo is s little uncertain, but that doesn't put me off in the slightest. I know I still want to visit every tourist spot, but still find unique areas that will photograph beautifully.
See you in Norway!
How to Scrap a Bad Mood
21 May 2015
Getting right the the source will help shift the heavy cloud hanging over your head. It may take some time, especially if this attitude has been brewing over some time, but finding that connection ends in positive results. The reason can vary, from a person to an experience - figure out what's really bothering you and get as far away from it as possible.
Treat yourself.
To me, any food is a treat. There's absolutely nothing wrong with eating chocolate in every form until the endorphins kick in the lift the sorrow. Indulging in a whole series on Netflix or gobbling multiple tubs of Ben & Jerry's is good for the mental health system and a great start and shifting the negative thoughts. I've also found that herbal tea really comforts my rough spells.
Music.
I have never come across another human being that doesn't enjoy listening to music. It's unnatural not to be drawn to at least one genre or album - there are so many! Finding a pre-made playlist on Spotify or 8tracks is an easy way for me to get out of a poor mood. Avoiding the slow mixed made for break-ups and down days will only aid your mind into plunging into an ever deeper sad state.
Phone a friend.
Socialization will help to lift spirits. Talk out your feelings with someone you really trust and get everything off your chest. Or rather, entertain yourself with a gossip session and catch-up chat on anything and everything going on in the world.
Make yourself laugh.
I'm usually doing this by falling up the stairs on running into a wall. But there are plenty of site, from BuzzFeed to Tumblr that have pages dedicated to bringing a smile. Spending some quality time flicking through Vines is a great way to lift the crummy spirits and create a lighthearted atmosphere.
Get busy!
Distraction is key. An empty mind can quickly fill with lousy thoughts and over-thinking which only increases a bad mood. Find a hobby, whether artistic or academic to really take your mind away from whatever is bringing you down. Throw all your energy into a time-consuming task and the hours will fly by.
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