Thursday, 10 October 2013

'I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make' // OOTD



I can't exactly remember when I wore this but it must have been a while ago seeing as how Mother Nature has now decided to bless curse us with some wind and rain...lovely. Anyway, I decided to rock the Primark and team these colours together which mix quite well with each other. I'd say if you want to try a bit of colour blocking then a mixture of blue and red/pink is the easiest way to do that. One thing I need to work on though is wearing more jewelry because, even though I buy a load of necklaces and rings and bracelets, I NEVER WEAR THEM like what is up with that?? I always forget to put some on which is annoying.

Finally, I wanted to share a quote I came across with you guys I thought was quite accurate:

'You don’t know anyone at the party, so you don’t want to go. You don’t like cottage cheese, so you haven’t eaten it in years. This is your choice, of course, but don’t kid yourself: it’s also the flinch. Your personality is not set in stone. You may think a morning coffee is the most enjoyable thing in the world, but it’s really just a habit. Thirty days without it, and you would be fine. You think you have a soul mate, but in fact you could have had any number of spouses. You would have evolved differently, but been just as happy. You can change what you want about yourself at any time. You see yourself as someone who can't write or play an instrument, who gives in to temptation or makes bad decisions, but that's really not you. It's not ingrained. It's not your personality. Your personality is something else, something deeper than just preferences, and these details on the surface, you can change anytime you like. If it's useful to do so, you must abandon your identity and start again. Sometimes  it's the only way. Set fire to your old self. It's not needed here. It's too busy shopping, gossiping about others, and watching days go by and asking why you haven't gotten as far as you'd like. Your new self is not like that. Your new self is the Great Chicago Fire - overwhelming, overpowering and destroying everything that isn't necessary' - Julien Smith


Currently, I am loving:
Yeah, basically I just love Anna Akana...



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

Monday, 7 October 2013

A Few moments With: Gvadlln // Interview #3

One thing that I love about blogging is that it gives us the opportunity to not only experiment with and share our personal style or beauty must-haves, but to also pick up and improve on photography skills. Time and dedication spent on a blog really pays off with the possibility of it leading to other ventures or uncovering other interests. One blogger who knows something about this is Gavina. After having started her blog in sixth form (last two years of High-school), her interest in photography has flourished, allowing her to experiment a little with her outfit posts. To find out more, I decided to ask her a few questions!  

Hello! Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
Hi! I'm a 21 year old university student from London studying a teaching degree in Nottingham. Sounds so boring!

How and why did you first start blogging?
I randomly found Lily's blog  one day and I would read her blog all the time! I was in final year of sixth form (last year of high-school) where we had to wear our own clothes but they had to be smart so I started getting into my own personal style. My first outfit post still makes me cringe but I'm so glad I started it because blogging is now my favourite thing to do. I just wanted to show my style with the lovely people in the blogging community who share the same interest. I wasn't the popular one at school so I needed something to make me special and give me something to be proud of.


How would you describe your style?

I never know how to answer this question because honestly, it changes! One day I'll be wearing jeans, trainers, a shirt and a hoodie and then the next day, I'll be wearing a dress with brogues and a hat! I don't really stick to trends - I take some inspiration from them but I won't shove something to the back of my wardrobe because it's not 'in season'! I still wear some of the clothes I purchased over two years ago! I just like to mix things up, be quirky with some outfits and do things people don't usually think of.


Where or who do you look to for style inspiration?
Blogs. Definitely blogs! Whenever I see my favourite blogger upload an outfit post I can't click the link fast enough. They're just normal people styling themselves - no rich celebs getting styled by a professional stylist! I also love the free magazine stores like H&M and Topshop do as well as Company magazine (editorials and street style) because I take pieces I like and make them fit my style. Oh and let's not forget the way I very obviously look at girls that pass me on the street and think "I need her dress in my life". Sorry if I stare girls!



If you could only shop in one store for the rest of your life,  where would it be?
This is so tough because I don't really have a favourite store! Primark and H&M have amazing prices but I often go through phases where I don't like their stock... is it cheating if I say ASOS?! I just think it's the perfect place as their delivery is excellent, there's a wide range of high-street and designer. Their sales are amazing and their models are stunning.


What has been your most recent fashion purchase?
I bought an oversized t-shirt that says "I hate everyone" from Topshop. That doesn't portray a very good image, I know, but I thought it was funny! I'm loving slogan t-shirts and sweaters right now because sometimes at university I'd rather spend time in bed than worry about what I'm wearing so throwing on a t-shirt with some jeans is the best thing.



 I love your use of photography in your blog! What are your top tips for taking the perfect photo?
Thank you! I'm going to be really honest here and tell you that I am honestly the goofiest person when taking outfit photos! It takes me a good ten shots of pulling faces and making weird shapes until I settle down and take a normal photo. Even then I do my classic moody face and get told off for not smiling! I would say find a place near where you live that has a pretty background (use your garden next to your mums flowers!) and get posing. Remember to show your outfit but also remember to look natural and not like you're a scarecrow! As for product photos, use a plain background, something like your duvet, a towel, a blanket, a dress. Keep the background colour quite neutral and let the product do the talking.


You also recently started up a photography blog! How is that going?
It's going quite well! I thought I would start one to talk more about the shoots I do because although it's all about the photos, I like to give a story behind them too. I've posted regularly throughout summer as I did various shoots and I'm hoping this continues when I'm in Nottingham for university. So if you're interested in a shoot let me know!

Where else can we find you?
This year you will find me in the library as it's a very important year at university for me! Cry. But online you can find me...
Style & Beauty Blog | YouTube | Photography Blog | Blog Facebook | Photography Facebook | Twitter 




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I hope you guys liked this third interview and series so far! If any of you want to take part/be interviewed then let me know by sending a quick e-mail! Or if you just want to leave your feedback then, you know, that would be great too! Have a great week  :)



Find me on: 'Political' blog  | YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Valentino S/S 2014

Image source

So, I was scrolling through Tumblr and erm, I don't know, I think I'm just in love with the Valentino S/S 2014 collection. There is just so much colour and detail and just general wow-ness. What do I have to do to get one of these dresses?! I can't wait for this trend to eventually work it's way down to the high-street in some form or another.

Check out my latest YouTube video - About me Tag - HERE 
 Find me on: 'Political' blog  | YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya

Wednesday, 25 September 2013

A Few Moments With: Touch of Belle // Interview #2


It's always great to come across and read a blog that is full of passion for all things beauty, lifestyle and fashion related. Having a passion for whatever it is you blog about is a definite must I think and this is definitely the case with Beauty blog Touch of Belle! With open and honest beauty reviews and useful 'How to' posts Gemma from Touch of Belle shares with us some of the beauty products she has been loving recently along with ones she whole-hardheartedly recommends.  To find out more, I decided to ask her a few questions! 

Hello! Could you tell us a bit about yourself? 
Hello I'm Gemma from Touch of Belle and I'm 16 Years young! I chat about beauty and everything in between on my blog and I love anything beauty, fashion and lifestyle related!

Tell us about why you first started blogging?  
I first started blogging so I could talk about things I love and getting to hear what other people thought of things. I'm so glad I started blogging as I don’t know what I would do without it!

What are your beauty product must have's? 
I love mascara so I would say mascara and lip balm! 

What are your favourite beauty brands and why? 
I love Maybelline, Bourjois and Rimmel because they are so affordable and they work just as well as expensive brands! 

Quick! You have less than 3minutes to do your make-up! What are your go-to products? 
My go to products are collection 2000 concealer, Bourjois 2 in 1 mascara, Rimmel wake me up foundation and Beauty UK blush and brush! 

What are your goals for your blog? 
I don’t have any real goals but I would say to enjoy myself and have fun and if I can brighten peoples days and show them new things then I'm happy! I love it when people leave lovely comments as I know its worth while! 

What do you enjoy most about blogging? 
I love meeting lovely new people and bloggers. I feel like part of a big family that looks out for one another I love getting to talk to other people I wouldn't normally get chance to talk to!


Where else to fine Touch of Belle:
E-mail: touchofbelle@gmail.com 

I hope you guys liked my first interview in this series! If you'd like to be featured in an interview on my blog then let me know!
Find me on: Political blog | YouTube | Bloglovin | Twitter | Instagram: @thatgirlsaadiya

Monday, 23 September 2013

Greatness // Morning Musings



'Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'who am I to be brilliant... gorgeous... talented?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone....' - Marianne Williamson (I may or may not have just watched Coach Carter for the 2847th time...)

I remember in second year of uni having one of those late night, deeper-than-the-ocean type conversations with some friends about the idea of greatness. Greatness. What even is that? And how do you achieve it? Is it being superior and having a natural ability to be better than others? If so how do you define that? Do you have to lead a country or sell out world tours in a matter of seconds? Well then what if you're not Barack Obama or Beyonce and you're just... you. Can you still be Great or achieve Greatness? Surely it doesn't have to be this grand, unattainable thing that is only in the reach of a select few. Greatness can be in everything that we do or anything that we achieve. There is greatness in life and in the simplicity of living. There is greatness in being who you are and going after what you want, whatever this may be.  Of course, there is greatness in the big victories of life, but there is also greatness in the small victories too.  Like standing up for yourself, taking a chance, saying no, saying yes, being the best daughter/son/mother/wife/father/friend that you can be, raising a kick-ass family, making a decision to try or setting yourself a goal and achieving it. Like whoever thought you could run that marathon, or stand up to your ex or learn a new language or set up your own business or get a flippin degree. Don't underestimate how epic these things are.

Greatness is not a gift just handed out to a couple of people throughout history and you don't have to look very far for it. It is consistent time, energy and effort on a certain thing or aspect of your life. It is acknowledging the good things about yourself and not feeling the need to dismiss them, casting them away like they're not important. Who told you that it wasn't important? That you're not important? 


Also, I'm starting an interview series on blog so if you would like to be featured then let me know!

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