As One Year Draws To A Close...

May I start by apologising for this very overdue blog post. It has been quite some time since I dedicated some time to blogging! I guess that starts my plans for the New Year...I will blog more!

 

Before I decide what I would like to achieve in the coming year, I like to look retrospectively back at  what I have achieved in 2013.

 

The year began with a series of photoshoots for Dollydagger. I still look at those shots in astonishment that that girl in those photos is me! What a wonderful experience, I feel very lucky to have had such an amazing opportunity!

I suppose my next highlight of 2013 has to be finding my feet and really getting to know some amazing people in Brighton! Being new to a city, so far from home, can be very daunting and can take a while to find similar minded friends. I have been lucky enough to meet some wonderful people.

Vintage lovers Daisy, Danielle, Hayley and Ellen

 

Who can forget a memorable visit to the Goodwood Revival! I think this will be a permanent fixture on our calendar now.

 

 

We also took a small holiday to the Isle of Wight for a vintage vacation!

 

 

After lots of hunting around boot sales, eBay and Snoopers Paradise we made serious progress on collecting an assortment of mid century furniture and homewares. We also moved into a much larger flat!

 

 

And I can't leave getting this little lady out...

 

 

I recently received some amazing news that I have got a promotion at work (woop woop). I really hope that 2014 is my year as I may have a few more pennies and a little more time. I have worked so hard during 2013 that I really hope that it all pays off so I can really enjoy 2014. I prefer to set myself aspirations rather than resolutions so am setting myself the challenge to go on more holidays, visits to weekenders and, of course, acquire lots of wonderful vintage clothing.

 

I must just finish this post by thanking everyone for reading this blog. I have been amazed by quite how friendly, open and helpful everyone is out there! I also love reading everyone else's blogs for inspiration so look forward to seeing what you all have to come in 2014 too.

 

Wishing you all the very best for the New Year,

 

Hannah xxx

New Year, New You?

It seems pretty impossible to miss the pressure of New Years Resolutions factoring into every part of our lives at this time of year. Walking down the street and glancing in a shop window to be greeted with sportswear, turning on the TV to be greeted with a cooking programme or opening a magazine to see a weight loss DVD advertisement. It seems impossible to get away from it.

Now I am not saying that we should simply bury our heads under the carpet to hide away from it all. Yet what bugs me, is the pressure to throw ourselves into something, to pledge to lose an unsustainable amount of weight and the shame of failure haunting us all. I for one would love to know how many sign up on New Years Day and pay the astounding monthly prices for a slimming club or gym. A quick browse on the old internet shows Weightwatchers from £32.90 (before all of the other bumph you have to buy too) and LA Fitness membership for £44 per month!!!

There are many parts of my body that I dislike. My large thighs from sporting days gone by, those damn love handles poking out. I pose for a photo and stick my head out to hide my little double chin and breathe in to reduce my belly. Yet I look in the mirror when I am all glammed up and think, you know what, I look great! I then also sometimes look in the mirror and think oh god, things really need to change!

I am all for Gok Wan esque loving yourself and completely believe that everyone needs to love their body. Unfortunately (or fortunately), we are women, and most women I know will scrutinise themselves until there is nothing left to scrutinise. I think if there is something that you hate, that you look at every day and feel rubbish about, why can't we make some small changes to improve it. This doesn't mean signing up to pay loads every month, or promising yourself that you will go to the gym every night, because at some point, when tired, hurting and hungry you will cave in to a night on the sofa with some crisps and wine (my favourite snack!).

Part of the reason I absolutely adore vintage clothing is the way they are cut for real women with boobs, waists and hips. They are brought in at the waist, and flow out to a very flattering length. It is perfectly acceptable (and encouraged!) to wear sexy, shaping underwear like from What Katie Did. Most importantly, you feel like a woman! Whether you buy a more poofy skirt to hide your belly, or a longer dress to hide your legs, no one will know and you can work away to improve these areas, safe in the knowledge that you look fabulous.

I have personally decided to make some better choices for my 2013. I mainly want to get 'more of a life', so get out more and have lots of fun. This will mean, for me, less evenings sat at home watching tv whilst munching away; instead getting out, meeting more people and learning some new hobbies! I want to continue my Lindy Hop lessons as that is so fun and active. I am also going to go to a gym class once a week and that is all! I have found a spinning and weights mixed class that will increase my fitness and help me tone up slightly. I would also really like to find a Jive class in Brighton city centre, so if anyone knows of any let me know, I can't seem to find one!

Hopefully these small additions to my lifestyle will not only help me tone up my body slightly, but add some fun into my daily life! I really think that finding the inner willpower and determination to throw yourself into something new is the hardest yet most rewarding part of making some positive lifestyle changes. Don't do it on Monday, or when you next get paid, or when work isn't as busy, just do it! It doesn't have to be joining a gym or eating more healthily, but maybe that one thing at the back of your mind that you just WISH you could do. Why the hell not, just do it! You are the only person that is in charge of your own happiness, confidence and self esteem so make some positive changes to find that within yourself.

Rather than it be the year that you lose that weight, or go to the the gym every night after work, let this be the year that you work on your own happiness and making the most out of your life. Whatever this may entail. And then, when you achieve it, get yourself that dress you dream of, or handbag you keep looking at!

With lots of love from a rather determined Brighton Belle,

 

Hannah xxx