Tuesday 21 January 2014

A Few Moments With: Being Ashleigh // Interview #7

London based blogger Ashleigh is a photography student and freelance stylist. A self-confessed lover of layering, mixing textures & patterns and the super casual 'just rolled outta bed' look, her blog, Being Ashleigh, captures her cool, casual and creative style along with lifestyle posts and behind the scenes of her freelance work.  I've mentioned a few times before about the opportunities a blog can offer you and Being Ashleigh is a great testament to that and so to find out more I decided to ask her a few questions on blogging, her freelance work as a stylist and her blogging goals for 2014.



Hello Ashleigh! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hello! I am a twenty one year old from London. I’m in my final year at UEL studying Photography and I run a fashion and lifestyle blog. I also work in Sainsburys; so I’ll give them a shout out too!

How and why did you first get into blogging?
I have always had a presence on the internet since my early teens. My blog was originally started on Tumblr which I used and still to this day as a mood board for inspiration and pretty things. I then started a passion for reviewing beauty products so I changed my aesthetic on Tumblr and strictly only used it to write up beauty reviews. I then realised one day I wanted my blog to be that bit more professional, so I started a proper blog.

What are your top 3 tips for blogging?
One: Be consistent. I often have blogging breaks due to too much pressure or sometimes I am just too damn busy to blog but I always try to blog at least three times a week to keep my readers wanting more.
Two: Be patient. When I first started my blog (and all the big bloggers will agree!), followings were slow at first and I had zero comments on my posts. However, once you find your niche, people will find your blog and a network of followers will start to build up.
Three: Enjoy it. Don’t blog just for the sake of getting a post up. That’s how you know you aren’t enjoying blogging for you. Never feel pressure to fit in with people either. It will take control.



What are the trends you’re excited to see everyone rocking this year?
Probably the skater trend! I am a huge fan of simplicity and the “just got out of bed and don’t give a crap what I look like” look. I’m quite excited to mix it up a bit with high waisted shorts, a bra-let, oversized shirt and vans. Oh Summer, hurry.

Where do you get style inspiration from?
Definitely other bloggers mostly! I’m always buying clothes I like on other bloggers. Tumblr and the street style features in Company magazine also help a lot!



If you could shop in one store for the rest of your life, where would it be?
Topshop, obvz.

You’re currently working as a freelance stylist which is cool! Has your blog helped with element of your work?
That’s right :) Definitely! My blog helps me a lot to get me opportunities. For example, I mentioned it in a job interview and got the job. When applying for stylist jobs or even assisting jobs and internships, I always mention Being Ashleigh which I think helps as the person offering the position then questions it and possibly checks it out at home on the sly!




Do you have an plans/goals for your blog this year?
I have quite a few. I slack at getting outfit posts up consistently so this is something I really need to work on. I also want to extend my blog more and start making consistent Youtube videos. It’s also been a goal of mine for a while to get my blog mentioned in a magazine (in print).

Lunch with the girls is coming up! How would you style your outfit?
I’d probably play it stylish but easy and comfy. I’d got for an oversized smock dress, my black fedora hat from H&M and some little ankle boots… not forgetting my very much loved black faux fur coat from Topshop!

Thank you! Where else can we find you?
My pleasure! My blog is Being Ashleigh, I have Twitter and Instagram too at @ashllyd 


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Check out my latest YouTube video for all you 20-somethings out there HERE! 

 Find me on: YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya

Wednesday 8 January 2014

When it comes to lovin' I ain't chasing you // Inspiration


I came across this feature of Little Mix in Wonderland Magazine from last year and just think that these photo's of them are stunning.  To be honest, they're pretty stunning girls anyway but I love the simplicity of this shoot and outfits. I think Leigh-Ann and Jesy in particular look great as they kinda have an Elle Woods from Legally Blonde meets Hilary Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air vibe to them. 


What do you guys think?

Currently I am loving:
Nearly Morning - Luke Sital-Singh (This song is so lovely - give it a listen!)
If you're having a bad day - Shane Koyczan  (Great, great, great spoken word! Give it a listen)


Check out my latest YouTube video HERE 
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Saturday 4 January 2014

Everybody loves pretty, everybody loves cool // OOTD

Dress; ASOS || Jacket; Vintage || Belt; Primark || Shoes; Primark
Thank you to my friend Bim for the photo's!

I saw this dress online at ASOS and instantly fell in love with it. I really wanted to do a '3 ways to wear' post for this dress and took a load of photo's with different styles to wear this but it didn't work out :( I blame my lack of ability to edit/sort out photo's but meh, maaaaybbeeeee one day I can get that sorted! I think dresses like this are so lovely and can be worn in so many different ways: really casual with a jacket thrown over or, if you are going to something formal then you can work with this too with a blazer or if you're going out then throw on a leather jacket. If you're going to a festival it would be great too, maybe with a hat and a stack of rings and necklaces... The possibilities are endless really! I guess the fact that it's long can put you off but I think it's just figuring out what to piece it with!

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Wednesday 1 January 2014

Begin again // OOTD


Shirt; Urban Outfitters || Turtleneck; I have no idea but I'll say Vintage so it sounds cool || High-waisted jeans; New Look

WELL HAPPY NEW YEAR GUYS!!!!! How lovely is it to see in the New Year happy and healthy! I don't think I'll ever stop loving New Years and just the whole vibe going on around this time of year. It might be cliche or annoying for everyone to be like 'New Year, New Me!!' but I really, honestly, love it.  I've made some New Year resolutions this year too and I think, instead of trying to achieve them all at once, I'll concentrate on one a month, focusing on that. Apparently it only takes a month to break/get into a habit so I figured that would be a good take on it.

You know what else I'm loving...? This shirt from Urban Outfitters! (smooth link, real smooth...) I saw it on their website while browsing and just love the colour. I was actually in search of a jumper but thought I may as well pop this in to my basket too. It's actually a lot more richer in colour in real life than it was on the model but, unsurprisingly, I love it for that. I think I may have misjudged the size though as I got it in a large but ooooooohhhhhhhhhh welllllll, it's a nice piece to just throw on over something. I also purchased some high-waisted jeans from New Look which is not like me as I usually stick to standard skinnies but, yeah, I'm loving these too.

Hope you all enjoyed the New Year celebrations! Do you love New Year's as much as me or just hate it? How do you make sure you stick to your New Year Resolutions? 


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Find me on: YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya