Stripes, sparkles, studs, simple.

I've noticed in the past year that my style has really changed, from wearing baggy tees to actually becoming a teeny bit stylish. I thought I'd talk about a few of my favourite styles or types of clothes if you will. Now I'm no fashion blogger so don't expect this to be amazing...I apologise in advance for boring you.

Even High necked striped (cropped in this case) tops make an outfit classy

Now anybody that knows me will know that my all time favourite thing to wear is striped tops: long sleeved, short sleeved, cropped, navy, blue, black and much more. I feel that the striped top is quite a versatile look as it's casual but somewhat classy at the same time. Alexa Chung manages to rock the striped tee look- combining casual with sophisticated. The best thing about striped tops is that they come in all shapes, sizes, colours and lengths...now don't get me wrong anything striped is good but the striped tee will always be my preference. Personally I like to wear striped tops with high waisted jeans...but that's just my preference as I feel that it pulls the look together. (Side note- Just because your jeans are high waisted doesn't mean that you always have to tuck your top in of course...some days it feels or looks 
better out, sometimes it depends on the top).

Sparkly stuff isn't just for kids! Recently I've really been liking sparkly things; socks, cardigans, dresses, tops...and the list goes on. A sparkly item can give an outfit a fun and playful fee. I love combining sparkly tops with less feminine items to give it a less...girly feel but that's just my personal style. I like to pair sparkles with chunky shoes or a studded skirt to take the edge off the sparkles. Going full out girly is good too! a sparkly cardigan with a dress can also look good, it's purely personal preference.

Plaid, tartan and shirts galore! Personally I love plaid, tartan and shirts, especially in the winter. I adore plaid shirts, a personal style favourite of mine is pairing an unbuttoned plaid shirt with a tee and high waisted jeans...I feel it just pulls an outfit together. I especially love doing this with darker plaid. Tartan shirts are just as good, as I said I prefer to wear them unbuttoned over a tee but again it's a personal preference! Of course there are more to shirts than just tartan and plaid; paisley, denim, checked, patterned...the list is endless. I adore wearing other shirts with tops of course, especially paisley shirts. I however have more plaid shirts and they give more of a fall/winter feel.

Tartan/plaid scarfs are also another favourite of mine as I feel they can often give an outfit that pop that it needs, especially with the dull colours in the winter season. They are also super cosy, festive and as I am scottish I guess you could say it's patriotic (despite scotland obviously not being the only home of tartan).









I absolutely adore things with studs! Whether it be on a clutch, bag, jacket or skirt (depending on the look of course). I have a studded bag and it often gives my outfits that quirky look. Small studs on skirts are another favourite of mine as (as you may have guessed I'm not that feminine) it gives an outfit more of a stylish look I feel...it makes it more edgy? for lack of a better word.

Simple clothes (and accessories) can also go a long way I've found, a plain white tee, plain jumpers, ribbed tops or a tee with contrasting seams can actually look stylish and less boring than you would think. Sometimes just wearing one or two accessories can look cuter and more casual without looking bare. 

An oversized white tee with a plaid shirt and high waisted jeans (tucked in or not) can look rather shabby chic if you will. Sometimes less is more, it's nice to have a simple outfit every now and again...it's casual, comfortable and you don't feel as if you look like a hobo.

Velvet is another personal favourite of mine, whether it be a hint or a statement piece...it is a classy fabric that looks absolutely gorgeous on. Now I know that velvet is one of those things that people either love or they loathe but I utterly adore velvet...especially at this time of year. Velvet looks especially good in a few colours; burgundy, black, green and navy blue. My personal favourites have to be burgundy and black, but I love those colours on everything if I'm completely honest. A little bit of velvet can really bring out an outfit...especially crushed velvet...the texture is especially eye grabbing. Even a velvet scrunchie is a nice little pop to an outfit...worn as a scrunchie or as a bracelet. 

Holographic stuff...now this is definitely a hit or a miss kinda thing...not just with people but with items as well. I know that it's a bit bright and colourful but it can be fun...even just a holographic clutch can make an outfit fun and different. Holographic shoes are a favourite of mine not only because they are cool and fun...but it's always nice to pair cool socks with them! Holographic shoes also make an outfit pop and they are definitely attention grabbing...they are fun and loud without being too crazy. 


Patterned everything, patterns are fun and a great way to make an outfit pop! All sorts of patterns; paisley, tropical, hawiian, aztec, checked, tartan, plaid, floral, spots, animal print, stripes...the list is endless. You can play it safe and just have patterned accessories, or a bit bolder and go with clothes or full out pattern outfit! Patterned dresses and play suits are a fun way to be bolder with clothes and to have more fun! Believe it or not...hawiian and tropical patterns don't look as frumpy or as cheesy on!

Jackets sometimes bring an outfit together! Denim, leather, duffle, parka...again the list is endless! Depending on the jacket you wear...your outfit can be completely different! If you want to look a bit more "rock 'n roll" why not go for the classic leather jacket? If you're feeling more casual why not wear a denim jacket instead? Don't be scared to use accessories on your jackets either! badges, pins, patches...they can all be a bit of crafty fun!

Now last, but certainly not least...statement shoes! Now when I say statement shoes I don't necessarily mean massive heels or big boots...a pair of chunky flats or strange shoes can make an outfit look really good! 
Don't be afraid to buy shoes that aren't necessarily "you"...if you like them on...and you like them...get them! 
Shoes are a great way to play about with your outfit...you can change your entire outfit just by changing your shoes...whether you wear heels or flats or boots! Lately I have been really into chunky shoes:chunky heels, chunky flats, brogues, doc martens etc.

Now I hope you will excuse me as I'm new to this kinda blogging...so I hope it wasn't too terrible or boring...and here's some photos. 

Placement

I've been on placement for 2 weeks now so I felt that an update was in order. I have really been enjoying my time on placement...although the first week was rather terrifying and daunting due to me having no experience in the area and general low confidence. I apologise if what I say appears very vague but I can't divulge too much information due to confidentiality and what not. 

I have been learning an awful lot about patient care, the basic hands on stuff and the rest. For the past two weeks I have been doing a lot concerning basic patient care, sometimes that is just helping make the breakfast, asking people if they want some tea, but often it is a lot more as you can imagine. Doing all of these things has not only made me realise my full potential...but it has also made me realise the extent to which I care...and how patient I am. It may not sound important but outside of the caring environment I have always been a very impatient person (in a lot of situations...not all) and I worried that this would occur in the workplace. I have come to realise that I am a very patient person when it comes to helping people and that I do care...even just making sure that a person is wearing something that they want can go a long way obviously as it is involving them. I try my hardest to ensure that people retain their dignity and that they are able to do as much as they possibly can. 

I am loving my placement however I am having trouble when I have finished working for the week as I struggle to sleep from thinking that I am still at work...thinking I'm hearing buzzers and that I have things to do. Although this is somewhat funny and I guess it is somewhat showcasing how much I care...it can be a real pain! I have really started to get into the routine of the job, I have learned almost everyone's names and I have managed to build a rapport with people which I feared I would be unable to do as I am shy, nervous and self conscious. 

I have learned people's little habits, likes and dislikes and I love going out of my way in order to make people just a little happier...if they like a certain mug then they I feel they should have that mug...I mean at home I know I like to have certain cups and cutlery; why should it be any different for them? 

I have even been told a few times by staff and residents that they really like me and that I am doing a great job which is such a confidence boost. I love walking in from the last week having not seen everyone for a few days and seeing their faces...I really do love it. 

There's only a few things about being on placement that aren't so good; I have to wash my hands constantly and use alcohol rub and therefore my hands can get really sore, I have to get up at 6am and that sucks, I can never seem to eat breakfast when I have work so I'm always starving by 10am and being on my feet for like 12 hours totally sucks but it is so worth it.

University

I know a lot of people either plan to go to uni, do go or wonder about it. I've had people ask me about my course once or twice and recently I've really started to love it. I just thought it'd be cool to talk about something that plays such a large role in my life.

For anybody that doesn't know, I study Mental Health Nursing. I started my course this September and I'll be honest in admitting that I only recently settled into a group of friends. 
I will be the first to admit at some points uni felt really rubbish because I'm shy and I suck with new people and so I ate my lunch alone a lot of the time. I was too scared to talk to anybody and when I did I tried too hard. I finally settled into a nice group of people that find me quite funny which is great. 

I really enjoy the course and I actually do enjoy the journey to uni, even though it means having to get up at 6am a lot. A lot of people that I know attend the same uni as me which is pretty cool, although I don't see them much due to differing schedules and the size of the uni. The uni has a really good library and a lot of my lecturers are really funny and nice...in fact one of my lecturers actually does stand up comedy...which I have to say is very cool. 

My course can be really demanding with the workload...it is very exhausting at times but it is so worth it. I do envy others that don't have to do as much work as me...but you can't choose what you're passionate about. I really want to make a difference in the mental health field...I want to help people and make their lives easier. I really want to make a difference...I want people to suffer as little as possible...it's not fair that people have to deal with a lot of this stuff alone. I hate that people get so hopeless and depressed that they feel that the only solution is to take their own life...people shouldn't have to feel that way. Among other problems such as anxiety and many other problems...I feel so passionate about people feeling bad...everyone deserves to be happy, to have the best life that they possibly can.

I start my first placement on Tuesday and I am very nervous but I'm also really excited. I hope that I can achieve my full potential and manage to strive in what I do. I am really looking forward to working with people and patients, it'll be a wonderful experience and I hope to gain skills from it and maybe even some friends.

I'm not quite sure what the purpose of this post is if I'm entirely honest. Helping people is one of the most fulfilling things that someone can do with their life...and if  that's where your passion lies...then go for it. I'm not sure what this accomplished or what it even really got across...but yeah just a little post I guess...I swear they will get better and more interesting.

Blogging I guess

So I got bored and made a blog. I'm not entirely sure what I'll use this for, probably just talking about exciting stuff that has happened and photos. I'll maybe talk about some stuff that I'm enjoying like bands, shows and maybe even reviews, I'd say people could ask me to talk about stuff but I doubt that anybody cares what I think about stuff. Anyway thanks for reading this is anybody has. I look forward to posting more stuff.