Let Your Dreams Fly
17 September 2016
Eldwick, UK
One of my favourite ways to get inspired is to find quotes online. Obviously, I have a Pinterest board dedication to my favourite wise words (because I have a Pinterest board dedicated to everything) and a small collection growing on We Heart It; a website I've recently been introduced to and am slowly getting used to. There a quite a few quotes I absolutely love, so I wanted to share them on Anika May to inspire all and let your dreams fly!
"Get mocked at for as much as you can, fail as much as you can, but don't quit. Let every mockery, every failure, be a source of inspiration for you to reach for greatness, and that greatness will silence your critics." - Ajaero Tony Martins
"Never be ashamed! There's some who will hold it against you, but they are not worth bothering with." - J.K. Rowling
"Like success, failure is many things to many people. With positive mental attitude, failure is a learning experience, a rung on the ladder, and a plateau at which to get your thoughts in order to prepare to try again." - W. Clement Stone
"When you reach an obstacle, turn it into an opportunity. You have the choice. You can overcome and be a winner, or you can allow it to overcome you and be a loser. The choice is yours and yours alone. Refuse to throw in the towel. Go that extra mile that failures refuse to travel. It is far better to be exhausted from success than to be rested from failure." - Mary Kay Ash
"Press on. Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent." - Ray Kroc.
"Love what you do and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life." - Ray Bradbury.
"Don't try to be original, just try to be good." - Paul Rand
"Fearlessness is like a muscle. I know from my own life that the more I exercise it the more natural it becomes to not let my fears run me." - Arianna Huffington
"It is better to risk starving to death than surrender. If you give up on your dreams, what's left?" - Jim Carrey
"Embrace what you don't know, especially in the beginning, because what you don't know can become your greatest asset. It ensures that you will absolutely be doing things different from everybody else." - Sara Blakely
“Love what you do and do what you love. Don't listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.” - Ray Bradbury
“We may place blame, give reasons, and even have excuses; but in the end, it is an act of cowardice to not follow your dreams.” - Steve Maraboli
Lace-Ups and Leather
14 September 2016
West Yorkshire, UK
I’m not big on cold weather, that’s probably the only down
side to the summer ending. However, autumn means plenty more opportunities to
wear my leather jacket, and I will always jump at the chance. I’m very passionate
about leather jackets, as you will be able to tell over the next few months,
and I can’t wait to dust off my collection and add to it.
I’ve always had a weird love for jackets, they’re so much
fun to wear. It’s nice to be able to change the vibe of a whole look with one
item, like a coat of jacket. Sometimes I can wear a leather jacket in a really
casual setting, but also to something more formal. On the other hand, I can
find blazer-style jacket or a collared khaki coat that is super stylish and
little more chic. It all depends on my mood. For most days, a leather jacket
will do for me, usually faux leather because it’s way cheaper and just as good.
I have recently become obsessed with these lace-up block
heels from Next. Block heels are a big love of mine because they’re much easier
to walk in that the barely-there sandal or even wedges. I never go for heels
that are too high, in case I want to wear them in a casual setting like today. The
first thing I was drawn to was the style, lace-up is on trend and easy to wear
(I have a weird struggle with buckles). When the shoes arrived at my home, I
realised they’re actually faux suede *heart eyes*, which always looks awesome
against contrasting fabrics like denim. Because the colour is neutral, all the
attention doesn’t have to be on the shoes and I can wear something with an
eye-catching pattern, like this cotton tank top.
I managed to bag this top for £3 in the TK Maxx sale and
have been bargain hunting in their stores ever since. It’s easily one of my
favourites, simply because there’s so much stuff! I got a playsuit for £5 and
another knitted jumper for £2! I was so excited about the new buys I tweeted
around twenty times in five minutes, my followers were so confused. My top was
a fun piece to add to the top over my favourite bright denim jeans and Topshop
handbag.
Top // TK Maxx
Jacket // Miss Selfridge (similar)
Jeans // ASOS
Shoes // Qupid at Next
Bag // Topshop (only available in red)
Kill Them With Kindness | Journal
12 September 2016
Oslo, Norway
As I keep blabbing on about, I used to work full-time and my boss was basically evil. There's no sugar-coating it because she didn't like me and she made sure I knew it. Regardless off this, I tried as hard as I could to keep my cool, and managed it - just about. I would smile when she spoke to me, listen carefully and maintain eye contact (as if I actually cared about what she had to say) and always answered "yes" when she called my name rather than "wut". Over time, I could actually see that my constant happy personality and kindness towards her even though she couldn't stand me was irritating her. So I started to do more. That's when I learned the real meaning of KILL THEM WITH KINDNESS.
I'm not a big fan of the Selena Gomez song, but this is the best advice I have ever received. Haters don't come around often, so usually I'm unsure with how to deal with it. Sure, it's normal to have a good cry and vent to someone, but the most effective method I've used is a smile. Just a smile. There's never any need to go overboard, as when someone intentionally tried to hurt you, the last thing they're expecting is a happy face.
It could be really easy for me to just yell at anyone who has ever upset me, or write a rude comment back (as I've actually received some on Anika May). Sometimes commenters don't like me and want to tell me. Rather than see it as an insult, I take it as an opinion. And in the words of Chipmunk: "Opinions ain't facts, take 'em in and let them go". Replace the spite with a smile.
I'm a pretty sarcastic person, so minimising the hate with a smile can be difficult when the smile is almost a smirk and the eyes are squinting so hard it's a struggle to see. That's not the kindness I'm talking about. Genuine kindness, letting the words roll off your back, is the ideal way to handle adversity. I've done it before, and I'm sure I'll do it again. Smiling face with smiling eyes
Feelin' Seasonal
8 September 2016
Burley in Wharfedale, UK
Since September hit us, I’ve been feeling different, but
good different. I don’t know what it is about this time of year but I always
feel a lot more motivated than usual; maybe because I can sit in cosy coffee
houses and watch autumn blow by, rather than stick to a plastic deck chair and
try not to get sunstroke. I do love summer, but autumn is an easy favourite.
It’s the biggest season in fashion, the prettiest season in nature, and the
cosiest season in the year. Whenever I’m feeling inspired, my go-to app or site
is Pinterest. I do still
adore Tumblr, but that has
one specific theme running through it. On the other hand, I can create as many
boards on Pinterest for whatever I like and fill them with my favourite things.
As announced on Twitter, I made a
few new boards over the past few days and had to share them on Anika May.
LET’S GET COSY
One of the best things this season has to offer are the cosy
nights. It’s surely a struggle when you actually have to go outside and brave
the chilly winds, but wrapping up in a big cotton blanket with candles, apple
cider, your favourite slippers and the falling leaves outside is a perfect
evening. Even campfires during this time of year are amazing because everyone
can cuddle up and keep warm. In the UK, autumn means Bonfire Night, which
equals fireworks and sparklers for everyone too!
WINTER VIBES
I used to always say winter was my favourite time of year.
There’s something about snow that makes me feel really happy, even though I get
sick of it after a while. You can guarantee winter will roll around and I will
be complaining about being cold and wishing I was back inside again, I’m
annoying like that. Nevertheless, I do like how pretty snow looks and the
excitement felt when the first icicle of many appears. Wrapping up in warm
clothes is so much fun, and winter results in plenty of woolly hats and
oversized jumpers.
AUTUMN VIBES
Although I thought ‘Autumn Vibes’ might be similar to cosy
nights, I couldn’t miss out the vibes from my favourite season in one board! Autumn
is such a beautiful season, and brings out amazing colours in the trees – it
never ceases to amaze me. Fashion wise, I love the layers autumn brings, and
the new tones that match the theme of the season. I own a lot of cardigans, so
this time of year is the perfect few months to put them to use. Similarly, my
bedroom has slowly been filling with candles and is now ready to burst – I
can’t wait to use them!
SPRING VIBES
I’m a spring baby (hence the May in Anika May) so I have a
soft spot for that time of year. One thing I really like about spring is that
it brings those amazing shower storms, and the beautiful blossoms. In the town
where I live, there is a main street that runs through to the next one. This
wide road is littered with blossom trees from beginning to end, and when the
wind blows, it looks like it’s almost raining petals. Plus, the lambs are born
in the spring time, and watching them jump around makes me heart so happy.
10 Life Lessons Learned in My Late Teens
3 September 2016
Eldwick, UK
September's here! As it's basically school season and I'm feel reminiscent of my time in the education system, I thought I would share today's post. My late teens were a turning point for me. Everyone has that
stage at a different point, some teens really mature at 14, others would
rather sit and play The Sims for 6 hours until the problem disappears like me.
However, towards the end of my teenage years, I started to grow as a person and
mature more during the struggle of sixth form.
I am responsible
It's time to grow up! Once I started looking after myself in
little ways, I realised I'm responsible for everything regarding me. My mum can
only do so much and I've got to fly the figurative nest at some point. I
learned it was down to me to be time efficient, and pack bags properly and even
revise thoroughly otherwise I would have no one else to blame.
Friends aren't forever
While in sixth form, I drifted away from my group of friends
quite a lot. When I started in school, I had an enormous group of friends, both
boys and girls but somehow it started to fade. I never really noticed until
there were about four of us left and then there was me. Looking back, I'm happy
I had those experiences, but I've moved on and found people who care about me.
Most things require effort
Being lazy doesn't get me very far. It's one of my biggest
traits, I enjoy laying around and doing absolutely nothing. I could easily
stare at a wall for a good half an hour and feel entertained. I'm just a simple
lass like that. However, growing up, I have noticed that I need to work HARD if
I want anything done right. Minimal effort isn't an option when it comes to
blogging, and that should be the same for most tasks I tackle.
Spending is much easier than saving
I LOVE shopping so much. Even window shopping is better than
going down to the bank and actually opening a savings account and locking away
my money, but it has to be done. Seriously, if I do not but some of my savings
in a fixed bond, it will disappear, I will find something to spend it on. Right
now I'm learning to drive, and I've realised saving is the only way I will be
able to continue.
I can't please everyone
I had spent a large amount of my adolescent and teenage
years trying to impress and please everyone. If I could sense even the
slightest tone of disappointment in someone's tone or facial expression, it
would sit with me for months. One day, during that mid A-Level-breakdown
everyone goes through, I became determined not to care and haven't looked back
since. I still have the same attitude today: you don't like me....so?
I won't have a perfect life
From around the age of nine, I had my life planned to the T.
I would become a fashion designer and marry a super hot guy and live between
Los Angeles and London - basically become Victoria Beckham. I'm sad to announce
that didn't happen, but happy to confirm that's perfectly okay. My life has had
many twist and turns in its twenty years, but it keeps me on my toes and I like
the unexpectedly.
Getting old is what I make of it
While in school, I had a friend who used to cry every
birthday because she didn't like the idea of getting older. She was completely
inconsolable and felt like she'd wasted a year. I still think of her every
year, but it helps me to remember that getting old isn't the worst thing in the
world and its an opportunity to reflect and grow!
Keep those unrealistic expectation
This may not apply to everyone, but I'm pretty sure I live
in a fairy universe. I imagined my self driving a Range Rover about now and my
blog being so successful I was fighting off publishers with book deals and
sponsors with collaborations. Of course I know this is a ridiculously high aim,
but it makes me smile and keeps me blogging on the days when I really don't
want to.
Experience is everything
Despite there being incredibly trying times I wouldn't be
the same person without those experiences. I'm sure there's many many (many)
more to come, but I'm still happy to learn and attempt to grow up on my own.
Travelling alone has really helped my confidence and understanding, as well as
allowed me to see countries and cities I could only dream of!
Happy September!
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