Goodbye Teenage Years! Turning 20.
5 May 2016
Eldwick, Bingley, West Yorkshire
So it's official. I'm 20 years old today and I'm excited to
grow up a little bit more, but sad to say goodbye to being a teenager. I feel
like you get away with a lot more, but being 20 puts adult life into focus as
it means I'll no longer get the "awwww still a baby" response... I
hope. When I turned
19, I mentioned my life is very different to the way I would thought it
would go, but this is a good thing.
There are loads of things I wanted to do before I turn twenty and luckily, I’ve
managed to accomplish a few of them.
I never went to university, but from being young I knew I
wanted to do something creative and something linked with fashion. I went through
the full spectrum of wanted to design, and then realised I have not inherited
any of the skills my mum has and can’t even cut in a straight line. I also
wanted to be an editor, but slowly learned that the non-stop, quick-paced
lifestyle isn’t the one for a laid-back Yorkshire lass like me. That’s when
Anika May came about, and I’m so glad I decided to create this little corner of
the internet for me to ramble on about everything and anything. Plus, blogging has
provided a whole load of opportunities for me, especially during this last
year.
I wanted to make some new friends before I start acting like
a real adult, not that I didn’t have friends before, we just weren’t close. But last year, I went on a random
trip with a group of amazing people and now every single of them are humans I
would consider a really close friend. It’s great to have people to actually
talk to and who appreciate friendship! I’m also a lot closer to my little
sister, which is unexpected as we are polar opposites. My sister and I can fight
over absolutely anything; we once argued over a pencil that I thought was red
and she believed was “a deep blood-like orange” (it was totally red). But now
we have a pretty close relationship and she takes some of my outfit photos for
me, meaning I can shoot on location.
Before I turned 20, I wanted to be sure blogging is the
career for me. I’m happy to say it is, and it’s a hobby and I completely adore.
Whenever I’m bored, I turn to blogging. And that could be stalking other blogs
and building my ever-growing blogroll or creating a new draft for Anika May.
While I was 19, I visited the Next
Blogger Network Event in London which was total dream come true. Not only
did I meet Danielle Peazer, Jen
Stanbrook, Samantha
Maria and Rosie Fortescue – bloggers I have admired for years, but I also
learned a lot about the industry and won a runner-up award!
During this last year, I went to BBC Radio 1Xtra Live (with
my new group of friends) and this was such a ridiculously amazing night, I’ll
never forget it. Similarly, I got to visit Oslo with two amazing ladies I’ve
known for quite a while and we were able to explore a city on my bucket list
and take a lot of photos!
Oslo is one of the most exquisite cities I’ve been to, the people and the
atmosphere is so relaxed and it’s a really blissful environment to be in – I would
happily move there one day.
My nineteenth year of life has been life-changing, I’ve had
a full-time office job (which I managed to escape), I went through a period of
wearing acrylic nails (never again), cleared my skin of acne (thank goodness) and
saved enough money to start learning to drive (finally)! There’s so much more I
want to experience, and I can’t wait to get started on building Anika May as
well as the two charities I work for and continue to develop: Clothing Solutions
and Beaneezy – make sure
to check them out and give the Facebook pages a like if you can. Neither are
government funded and benefit an enormous amount of disabled people in the UK.
Here’s to being an adult!
Live At Leeds 2016 | The Outfit
3 May 2016
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
I recently went to the Live at Leeds festival on April 30 and had an amazing time. The Blogger Programme and The Zeitgeist Agency sent me to enjoy the festival which is held every year in Leeds, at different venues across the city. It takes quite a bit of planning before hand, such as deciding which acts to see, what to bring, and what outfit to wear.
I was luckily provided with some great accessories by BLOC Eyewear* and Dixi* to make my look different to other outfits I've put together. My shiny ring, which reads "born a bad seed" is absolutely perfect for the Live at Leeds festival and blends into my outfit with ease. Similarly, the sunglasses are super simple and don't look strange with my look, which is what I look for in accessories. I was previously wearing an enormous necklace but it just got in the way and starred to irritate me. For me, the lighter the accessory, the better. I don't like feeling weighed down, especially if I already have a few layers on.
For the outfit, I immediately decided I was going to wear this bright orange trench jacket I got aaaages ago. I found it on the floor in a changing room with a hole in the shoulder. After taking it to the checkout, the Miss Selfridge staff confirmed it was a sale item at the time (the very last in stock) and I could have it at a discount price as there's a hole alone the seam. Luckily, my mum's a fashion designer so it could be fixed and has stayed with me every since. I wear this jacket quite frequently, because it goes so well with bright blue denim in a casual look, or over black for a night time look. It has pockets, and a loose belt which I tie around the back - definitely a one-of-a-kind gem! I also have a habit of wearing my leather jacket everywhere. I'm trying to break it, but they're just too versatile and no one seems to be able to predict the weather in the UK! I brought along my faux leather just in case the clouds came in and it kept me warm once it got dark.
My skirt is a more recent buy from Next. Initially, I bought it for a night out around Call Lane (my favourite area) in Leeds. The best thing about Call Lane is that it's not an out out street, and there are so many bars and restaurants to chose from, so it's best to wear something casual but put-together. This utility-inspired black skirt is ideal, and is also high waisted so helps to create a more feminine silhouette. As my jacket is so bright, I didn't want to clash it with another colour so stuck to black for basically everything else. Live at Leeds was a super fun night and I have to say a huge thanks to The Blogger Programme and The Zeitgeist Agency for sending me along - more posts to come!
Top - homemade // Skirt - Next // Orange Jacket - Miss Selfridge (similar) // Leather Jacket - Miss Selfridge (similar) // Shoes - thrifted // Bag - Next (similar) // Sunglasses - BLOC Eyewear* // Ring - Dixi*
Black and Blue
28 April 2016
Eldwick, Bingley, West Yorkshire
My style is always changing, and although I don't like to look back at the abomination of a closet I previously owned, it is nice to dig out old pieces that I haven't worn since being back in school. I wouldn't go as far back as the high-waisted, denim-pleated, mini skirt I bought from Jane Norman in three different colours because I thought it was the greatest fashion item since neon leg warmers from Internacionale. The idea of carrying my BANK drawstring bag with any outfit is hilariously cringworthy too!
At the moment, the UK is experiencing the weirdest weather and I don't really know how to dress for it. It's sort of cold, but the sun's out, but it's not quite warm, but warm enough to leave the house without thirty layers on. You can easily experience all four seasons in one day. As the weather is so unpredictable, I like to stick to a really basic outfit, that is adaptable and comfy to wear. This jumper dress is one of my favourites during this turbulent time, and I only realised I had it a few days ago. The dress is one of those wardrobe items that is always there, and always forgotten. It's been in the bottom of my closet for as long as I can remember, and it was the ideal piece of clothing during the tortuous days of sixth form. One of my favourite things about the dress is that it can't really go out of style, because it's so basic. The simple design was created by my mum (who's a designer), because I wanted a really easy wardrobe for school. Turns out, this dress could be my must-have for the rest of my life!
My jumper dress is incredibly warm, meaning I don't have to feel stuffed with a load of layers on top. I bought this light mac from Primark during the summer, after spending months looking for an inexpensive jacket to wear during the odd weather weeks. Since the purchase, this coat has become one of the most-worn items on my clothing rail. The great thing about it, is that it's just so simple. The light jacket fits easily over and under clothing, and can be dressed up or down. I've even worn it to a wedding! On top of my mac, I used to carry this Topshop bag absolutely everywhere with me while at school. The size was perfect, and the faux leather is really light. Sadly, it's no longer in stores but I'm glad it's stayed in such amazing condition. Similarly, my lace-up pumps from Next have lasted a really long time. The suede fabric is often paired with dresses as the texture works really well against other fabrics and they stand out better. The pumps are completely flat and super soft, adding extra comfort.
Coat - Primark // Dress - homemade // Bag - Topshop (similar) // Shoes - Next (similar) // Sunglasses - Next
10 Ways to Make Your Commute More Interesting
25 April 2016
Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
The average commute time in the UK is about an hour, which
is an enormously large amount of time to be bored. While working in Leeds, my
commute time was around 25 minutes and I used to dread having to sit on a
cramped train with nothing to do and awkwardly avoiding eye contact. Commuting
used to be a nightmare for me, mainly because I get bored easily and there’s
not exactly much to look at on a train that’s travelling at 120mph. Over the
last year, I’ve figured out a few ways to make that travel time seem a lot
shorter and more enjoyable.
#1 Download an audiobook
Don’t worry, I’m not going to force everyone to join Audible
or anything. But having an audiobook is especially helpful for those who don’t
have a lot of room to move about. When squashed from window to wall, there’s
nothing more irritating that trying to turn a page or skip a song. The
slightest movements generate a few odd looks from fellow travellers, so an
audiobook is a great way to enjoy a story you love on the go.
#2 Create the perfect playlist
Sadly, this isn’t a tip I’ve yet mastered, but I’m working
on it! It’s hard to create a playlist that’s just right because moods are
constantly shifting. Sometimes you can shuffle a playlist, but every song is
somehow the wrong song. However,
creating a great selection of uplifting tunes is an easy way to get lost in the
music and forget the awful commute. Nothing beats jamming in a car too!
#3 Catch up with the world
When I find I have a long journey ahead, I used the time to
catch up on emails and comments. I absolutely love reading comments on my blog,
as well as notifications on Twitter, Tumblr and Pinterest. For the businessmen
and businesswomen of the world, the commute is the most time they spend stuck
to their phone, getting the bulk out of the way.
#4 People watch
I think people watching has become a hobby for me. No matter
where I am, I just can’t help it. One very important thing to remember, is to never
ever ever get caught. It is bad enough being seen staring at someone once,
but twice? Practise makes perfect, and a long commute is the ideal time to be a
bit of a nosey parker.
#5 Plan your meals
As I’m on a brand new diet which isn’t too strict but only
includes healthy food, it’s really important for me to decide what meals I’m
going to eat or I tend to settle for the quickest one I can find – usually
something unhealthy and covered in Nutella. While working full-time, I also
found planning meals helping to make evenings less stressful.
#6 Exercise
If work isn’t too far away, why not walk, ride or park
further away? I wish I was able to cycle to work but the hills of Yorkshire are
a little too much for me, however this doesn’t stop me from getting off the bus
a few stops earlier, meaning I have to walk for an extra 10 minutes. In some
cases, this means getting up earlier (usually a no-no for me) but if I burn a
good amount of calories, I’ll let it slide.
#7 Take a snooze
It’s not uncommon to spot people getting some kip while on a
jam-packed train. Personally, I have no idea how people sleep stood up, it will
always be a mystery to me as it’s just not natural. But once you have a comfy
seat, it’s so easy to daydream and eventually slip off into sleep. However, the
next step is remembering to wake up before you’ve passed your stop!
#8 Catch up on a TV show
Most trains and buses have free WiFi. Although it’s no
super-expensive fibre optic broadband, it does work. Netflix gets plenty of use
on my way to work as I like to catch up on TV shows as well as discover new
ones. Time passes really quickly when TV is involved; and I like to use to time
to catch up on my YouTube subscriptions too.
#9 Download plenty of
games
While working in Leeds, I would often catch at least eight
or nine different people playing Candy Crush. Sometimes, there’s even extreme gamers
with portable consoles and headsets. Games with a story, levels or progression
are a favourite. Personally, I like a little bit of Sims City or an app to
really get lost in, as it helps the time go by and is a great distraction.
#10 Learn something new
Whether it’s practising your knitting skills or learning a
new language, practising a skill is a really easy way to make a commute more
interesting. The longer the travel time, the more practice can take place. I
wouldn’t go as far as learning a new instrument, but I always like to improve
writing skills, plus I’m currently trying (but failing) to learn French!
Image taken from Tumblr.
Spring Ambition
21 April 2016
Ilkley, West Yorkshire, UK
I need to get on top of my blog posts. Although I try to post three times a week, it can be a real struggle and I usually complete a post the night before. Not that different to school really. But fortunately, I don’t see blogging as a burden and not having any post ideas or scheduled drafts stresses me out to another level and it can be quite discouraging. One of my biggest blogging goals is to not only have at least on pre-written post a week, but also to write more personal posts. Not that the words I type aren’t genuine, but I tend to slip into my English essay tendencies. You know, the whole point, evidence, explanation routine like I’m an A Level robot. That kind of writing is ideal for formal posts and blogging jobs, but not as much for Anika May.
My new camera arrives soon, and I can’t wait. There will 100% be a blogpost on its features and a real review. It’s a Pentax camera, so it will be nice to get to know a new brand. I’ve always been a Canon girl so buying a brand new style that’s a little higher range should help improve the quality of my photographs. Improving my blog has been on my to-do list for as long as I can remember and is still something I strive to do. Whether it’s my journalistic skills, or even the topics I talk about. I think it’s good to keep a little ambition.
Before summer arrives, I certainly need to sort out my iPhone. Not that it’s falling apart or anything, in fact I’ve managed to keep it without smashing the screen… although I have gone through a few screen protectors! I have a small obsession with phone cases, and I think I’m going to try and get a new phone case every so often to inspire me as I like change. The phone case I’m using today is a spring-themed one, with a bright blossom image (my favourite)! The case is my custom made by me which makes it all the more better, and kindly provided to me by CaseApp*. To get 20% off your own custom phone case or laptop skin, use the code ‘ANIKA20CA’ and get started! My phone apps also need organising, they’re all over the place and I’m just too lazy to deal with it. But that’s what spring is for right? Cleaning up and sorting out.
Finally, I’m learning to drive! It’s a long time coming, and most people are shocked to learn that I’m almost twenty years old and have no idea how to move a car, but that's about to change. Sadly, I didn't receive a Range Rover Sport for my 17th birthday like a few of my schoolmates did. However, driving is something I have always wanted to do. It would allow so much more freedom, especially in blogging in different locations around Yorkshire.
So, with April almost over and summer hitting the UK soon, I have plenty to do and even more to blog about. Stay tuned!
This post is in collaboration with CaseApp.
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