Remember, just because it looks ‘effortless’, doesn’t mean it is…
It’s all too easy to assume we understand the ins and outs of someone else’s success, journey, business, life, the list goes on…but just because what we see on social media may show us someone’s outcome, it doesn’t always show us the backstory (and even if it does, you’ll still never know all of it).
So when comparing your own journey in any area of life, to someone else’s seemingly ‘effortless’ outcome, remember that there will always be a lot behind the scenes that you’ll never really know…and just because it looks effortless, it doesn’t mean it is.
5 years has passed since this image, and I’m reminded of the construction site we once lived in again now, as Damien is currently working on the utility room.
We should have finished it with the rest of the renovations years ago, but what can I say, we got lazy and were sick of DIY at the time…but there’s no time like the present, so right now that area is once again dust and debris galore. But you can’t see round the corner (where it’s all going on) so we’ll just focus on the nice bit for now. @samiohome
I hadn’t intended this to be a home/interior post but I’m going to start by talking about it anyway, because as I look through these images I realise that this is actually the first (although small) look into our house, here on my blog.
These images were actually shot a couple of weeks ago now, one miserable Saturday when Damien and I didn’t fancy venturing outside to get outfit shots and so, we decided to capture this outfit inside instead. And although impromptu, I’m pretty happy with how the shots turned out.
If you’ve read my blog for a while you’ll know that a couple of years ago Damien and I bought our first house together and since then it’s been a long process of major house renovations, most of which Damien and his dad have done themselves between working full time (hence the longevity of this project). So now that things are finally begining to take shape, our house is finally feeling like a home.
I really love the vibe of our home now and I’m feeling so happy with how it’s all coming together. The interiors and the decor really reflect a combination of both of our personalities and for me, in a totally different way to how my personal style does.
I feel relaxed in this space and most surprisingly I feel inspired. And I think this has reflected in how I’ve been feeling when putting outfits together recently.
Whilst I haven’t added many new items into my wardrobe recently, I’ve really been enjoying playing around with my different pieces and mix and matching garments that I wouldn’t have initially planned to go together. I guess it’s stepping out of my comfort zone slightly whilst still being very me.
If you watch my YouTube videos you’ll likely know that I’m obsessed with the velvet blazer I purchased a couple of months back now from Topshop’s London Fashion Week collection (I seem to manage to squeeze it into nearly every styling video). Little did I know at the time that it would be such a trend piece but I feel the style of a tuxedo blazer is one that will never truly go out of style altogether and regardless, I’m pretty sure I’ll keep wearing it anyway.
I’m usually drawn to opting for a quite put together look when grabbing for this blazer but on this occasion I was in the mood to mix all textures and styles. Like I mentioned in a recent post, I’ve fallen in love with my & Other Stories flared denim jeans all over again and so it only felt right to try the two pieces together…and voilà we had a look.
I liked this outfit combination, I felt cool in it. It has a real, I’m really not trying to go for any particular look but this is now a look, vibe (that’s the only way I can describe it). So there we have it, that’s a low down on this outfit and a sneak peek look into our house so far. If you’d like to see more you can check out my home renovations/tour video below and of course, more home/interior related content shall be coming to the blog soon! But for now, I’ll say ciao!
It just hasn’t felt right for me to post today. On here or on any platform really. But then as my mind has been going round in circles trying to process it all and not being able to think of much else (as I’m sure has been the same for many people), I thought it better to write something at least acknowledging what has happened, rather than nothing at all. Of course I am referring to the bombing that took place in Manchester on Monday night. Even writing that sentence feels surreal and emotional and I am well aware that this type of thing happens continually across the globe but when it happens in your city, in the place you call home, I must admit it is a real shock to the system. I feel somewhat selfish saying that because like I say this type of thing happens all too often and all over the world and the very thought is truly sickening.
Now Manchester too has faced some of the horrors that many have faced before and I hope that in our grief we can continue to stand united. It makes me feel so sad each time I think about what has happened, so I can’t even begin to imagine what those involved and the family and friends of those involved are going through and my love goes to each and every one of them. There’s been an overwhelming amount of support between and for Manchester and that has been so heartwarming. Seeing the amount of love between the people in our city has been amazing and it just shows how much good can be done when actions are done in love and with compassion for others.
I feel I’m not going to be able to say anything that anybody else hasn’t already said before and in a much more eloquent manner than I have in this post but I just feel so overwhelmed with emotion that I just needed to say something in my little space, as un-cohesive and rambling as it may be. I know we are all feeling it right now, the people of Manchester, the North of England and anyone else who feels connected to our city. I just hope that we can continue to share this love and support amongst us all and prove that love can do so much more good than hate ever will. You’re not alone, we stand together and we do so in love.
This past month I’ve really been enjoying working out and getting back into the routine of keeping fit from home. There’s no better way to keep myself motivated than a push in the right direction and so when CollectPlus asked me to share the ways in which I stay motivated to work out, I thought now was perfect timing.
I don’t know about you, but for me, the second month into the year always seems to be the hardest when it comes to keeping myself motivated with my fitness. I then have to remind myself that I’ll feel much better if I just keep at it. So here are some of the ways that I help myself to do just that…
1. Change Things Up & Try Something New
Workout videos on Youtube have been my thing this past month. I have a few favourites which I like to alternate and whilst they are fun, you can actually feel them working (check out my playlist of favourites here). I do know however that if I do too much of the same thing, I will soon grow bored and so to changed things up a little I decided to order some home workout equipment.
I did of course have the equipment delivered via CollectPlus, which is an absolute game changer by the way, especially if you’re like me and sometimes out till late. It’s good because you can have your parcels delivered to your local shop, or in my case, to the petrol station. It’s open until very late, meaning I can pick up my parcels much more conveniently. It was of course perfect in this case because you know the post man wasn’t about to fit a stepper machine and flexbell through the letter box.
I always loved using weights to do ab workouts in the gym and so I thought the flexbell would be perfect for reintroducing some of my old workouts at home, to change things up a little. With the stepper machine I thought this would be perfect for when I’m feeling super lazy because I can actually use it whilst watching TV, so there are actually no excuses!
2. Create A Workout Playlist
When I think back to when I used to go to the gym, I remember the thing that would motivate me most whilst working out was music. I actually remember the odd occasion when I’d forget my earphones and I’d be so annoyed, as I knew that I would quickly lose focus and those were always the occasions when I’d cut my workout routine short.
I’ve been wanting to get back into running outdoors for a while and I’ve slowly been building up to it this past month with long, brisk walks. I’ve now decided to finally create a playlist full of some of my old workout favourites that will be perfect to keep me motivated whilst I’m running.
3. Set Yourself A Challenge
I find setting myself challenges a great way to motivate myself, as I always feel determined to complete them. I’ve found it works best when you break things down. So for me personally, giving myself a different challenge month by month is the best way to do it. That way it breaks things up and I can actually see the finish line to each challenge too.
I also think it helps to be realistic, so give yourself a challenge which you actually believe to be achievable. For example I might say that during February that I want to workout at least three times per week and one of those workouts has to include a 5k run (just an example but actually not a bad idea). It’s basically just another way of setting goals, but by calling it a challenge and giving myself a time frame to complete it in makes me much more determined to do it…So what are we waiting for, let’s set ourselves some challenges!
Equipment Used
Yoga-Mad Warrior Mat – John Lewis | 8kg Flexbell – Very | Stepper With Resistance Cords – Very
Workout Outfit
Shock Absorber Sports Bra – (in different colour) Asos | Elle Sport Tights – Get The Label | Elle Sport Vest – Get The Label | Nike Hoodie – Asos | Nike Trainers – John Lewis
Those are three of the ways I like to stay motivated when I really can’t be bothered to work out. Just writing this blog post has given me another boost of motivation to be honest, so maybe that’s another one in itself; Writing a list of ways to motivate yourself, so that you actually start to feel motivated again. I also have to remind myself that I always feel great after working out, so why quit now! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, however little you do, it’s always better to do something rather than nothing if you’re hoping to keep active and keep at it.
I hope this blog post could help to give you a little boost of motivation. Just remember not to put too much pressure on yourself, have fun with it and find what works best for you! I’d love to hear some of the ways you help yourself to stay motivated when you really can’t be bothered. Comment below and let me know!
