influencers

The recent growth in social media influencers

Social media might not be a new thing, but if you look back at how it has grown and adapted over recent years the platforms we see now are very different to the days when being in someone’s Top 8 on Myspace was the most important thing.

A Change in Social Media

Over recent years, social media has become a big part in many people’s very days lives – checking their Facebook newsfeed in the morning is as normal as switching on the TV and watching the news headlines. Smart devices means that social media has become something that is always on, and it is an advancement in technology that we have relished. We now enjoy updating our friends via social media and reading about the lives of others in the same way.

In a similar way to social media growing, the way we influence people has changed alongside this too. Bloggers and vloggers have become this generations role models  – allowing people to feel as though they have personal access to the people they look up to. My personal growth on social media happened almost accidentally, I started posted about the things I like to wear and the places I like to go, and people were interested, especially since I am a plus size woman who doesn’t focus on clothing sizes and just wears whatever I want, I think people found me easy to relate to.

Although having role models is nothing new, this new way of reaching audiences often means that people they can relate much more to celebrities as they see a much bigger snap shot into their lives and feel they know them on a personal level.

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Social Media Since 2020

So much changed in 2020 and the way many people use the internet is certainly one of them. With people forced to stay at home and many people without a solid income stream, influencing people on the internet became big business.

TikTok as a platform in particular saw a massive growth in engagement with everyday people becoming celebrities overnight. The creation of the creator fund helped to solidify the fact that it is possible to earn an income via social media and more people than ever wanted to give it a go.

Instagram is another platform that people are fond of when it comes to watching their favourite celebrities and role models and the introduction of things like Reels has helped to solidify this fact. Gone are the days when a celebrity is someone that had to be hitting all the newspaper headlines and be all over the TV. Now it’s all about how many followers they have and engagement rates they have – as this is what their business is built upon.

The Future of Social Media

The truth is that social media isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and neither should it. It is a great way for people to keep in touch with the people they care about – and watch those that they admire. However, much like Bebo was one the place to be online and is now out of favour, there is likely to be a new range of social media platforms that wall want to be the place of choice for a new generation online – so we’ll have to see what that looks like and whether we can all keep up.

 

Jewellery

Be charmed by Gnoce

I’m a big jewellery girl and I’m a huge fan of dark gothic jewellery pieces since getting the favourite thing I own, my silver crossbones ring. I am always on the lookout for pieces that call to me, I love bones and skulls and absolutely adore gemstones in jewellery. As a plus size person I often struggle when looking for jewellery that will fit my fingers and wrists so buying charms are a fantastic way to add to my existing pieces and have the opportunity to switch up the look of some of my jewellery.

Gnoce has a beautiful range of Halloween jewellery including some gorgeous spooky charms. Their style is very reminiscent of Pandora and their prices are very affordable. I was particularly drawn to the Halloween pieces, but they literally have something for everyone. I only heard about Gnoce very recently and I’m super impressed with their selection and the quality of the items. They have a huge range including men’s pieces and fashion jewellery to food and drink and Halloween charms.

Charms make fantastic gifts for loved ones. Adding to a charm bracelet on each special occasion is a wonderful sentimental gift tradition between friends, family or partners. Even when only shopping for yourself it’s a great way to mark milestones in your life and document important events that happen or even to just have a fun bracelet full of fun charms that you just love the look of. I personally love the idea of having a full-on foodie charm bracelet with a bunch of cakes, candy and other delicious things.

With Halloween just around the corner it would be a great time to get a spooky charm to add to a bracelet or to start out with your first one. Here are a couple of pieces from the Halloween collection that I’m a little obsessed with.

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holidays, Self care, travel

Take yourself away and stay

If you keep up with me you’ll know I often talk about self care here, well today is no different, it’s still as important if not more so with everything that is going on around us. Whether your day to day routine has been flipped on it’s head and you’re trapped at home, you have to keep pushing on because the work you do is essential or if you’ve lost a loved one, you will have been impacted somehow in the last year. It’s so important now to make sure you take care of yourself, take the time and make your mental health and wellbeing a priority.

When I was blogging regularly about style and fashion I travelled all over the UK very often and it was so nice to see so many places, it was like a bunch of mini holidays. The way things are going currently, taking a short holiday isn’t as simple as it used to be but there are still huge benefits to having a small break away. Once things are starting to get back to normal one of the places I’d love to visit next is Liverpool, sound silly but I’ll explain. I’ve been to a lot of places in the UK and a lot of those more than once but I’ve never been to Liverpool. So until overseas travel is completely safe I will be visiting places a little closer to home.

The Three Graces on Liverpools waterfront

For me, taking time away from my every day life and spending a few days in a new city always gave me a boost. It’s so nice to be in a place where you have none of the responsibilities of home like dishes, hoovering and even going to the office.

Sometimes taking the time to pamper yourself in a new environment is all it takes to give you a little refresh, shopping for and trying out new products to make yourself feel special can do wonders when taking time out for yourself. Can be anything from a new shade of lipstick to something more natural like a lash serum to enhance what you already have. Seeing new sights and shopping in new shops are all things that take me away from normal life and I always feel rejuvenated when I get home and it often makes me appreciate the things I missed while I was gone.

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Whether you take some time away or just make time for yourself at home just remember we are all doing the best we can and that’s all we can do. Be proud of yourself and treat yourself to a bubble bath, night off from cooking or enjoying the outdoors in a Hammock in your garden with a glass of wine. Whatever it is that will allow you to just chill and remind yourself that you’re a warrior and you’ve got this. You can’t be the best person for your friends and family and the people who may rely on you if you don’t look after yourself too.

work

3 Challenges With Relocating For Work

3 Challenges With Relocating For Work

Relocating for work is a common occurrence among the working population. In the UK, HR Magazine UK revealed that 37% of workers already have plans to move to another location by 2022. The prospects of being in a new environment and meeting new people can be exciting. However, there is no denying the challenges associated with moving for work. While some may have to leave families behind, others are compelled to move a bulk of their items from rented dwellings. Whatever your situation is, there is always a solution to a problem. In the meantime, look at some of the challenges mentioned and learn how to overcome them.

 

  • It is costly

 

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If your company is not footing the bills associated with relocating, it can be pretty expensive to do it on your own. Although an employer will negotiate the terms of relocation and foot part of the expenses in some instances, not all do so. It can be a real deal-breaker if you’re already living on a budget and must add relocation costs to your expenses. Relocating involves hiring a moving company, likely paying for a storage unit, footing house cleaning fees, etc.

It is a long list of financial responsibilities that you must bear on your own. To avoid the inconveniences that come with expensive work relocations, you have the liberty to ask your employer if they can meet you halfway. You can suggest being paid a month’s salary (in advance) to cater to all the financial demands. If that is not possible, sacrifice a portion of your savings or emergency fund to settle your bills.

 

  • Finding accommodation in an unfamiliar location

 

Unless you have the option of corporate housing, finding accommodation in an unfamiliar area may come with some degree of risk. The common risk has more to do with security and safety. Indeed, you must be a native of the locality to know which areas are high or low risk. When you have the opportunity to survey the new location on more than one occasion and at different times, do it.

Your subtle surveillance at various times will contribute to knowing more about the area. According to security experts, morning, afternoon, and night checks are recommended. Furthermore, optimise your GPS to aid your surveillance. If you’re renting a house in your new location, make it a priority to change essential locks (front and back doors).

 

  • The challenge of applying for new documentation and licensing

 

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If you moved out of your jurisdiction to another, you might require new documentation and licensing to legalise your relocation. For example, a driver’s license, resident permit, medical insurance, etc., are examples of vital requirements. It’s advisable to start processing ahead of time to avoid the inconveniences of delayed paperwork. Using this strategy will save you crucial time.

Although these challenges can hamper the relocation process, it is still worth going through it to a fruitful end. You will acclimatise to the new location and will feel glad for pushing through.

 

Self care, self love

5 Ways to Embrace Who You Are and Love Yourself

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There can be so many ways that we can feel like we aren’t good enough. We may feel that we have imposter syndrome, that we don’t deserve to be where we are in the workplace or who we are friends with. We can feel unsure of living life as authentically as we want to be, for fear of judgment and criticism of others. However, learning to love yourself is something that is so important, as well as embracing who you are. 

If you find yourself feeling like this, then it is important to take some steps to help. Your life can change dramatically when you love yourself, trust yourself, and can fully embrace yourself for who you are. There are podcasts, blogs, and books that can help, but here are some things that could get you started.

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Embrace being a work in progress

We can all put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect. But we can waste so much time and energy with this, as it isn’t something that is realistic. We aren’t perfect, that is a fact, so embrace being a work in progress and you’ll have a much happier life. Pick yourself back up if things aren’t going your way, and learn from mistakes that are made. 

 

Change things you can change

By embracing who you are, you may want to change some aspects in your life. It might be time to break up from a toxic relationship or friendship, in order to really feel free, true to yourself, and live life in the best way that you can. There may be some other aspects in your life that you want to change, such as a haircut, trying something that you’ve always wanted to, like getting silicone plugs for ears, or trying a new style of clothing. If you want to embrace yourself and love yourself, then there are definitely some small and simple ways that can get you in the right headspace to do just that.

Let go of what is out of your control

If you put a lot of pressure on yourself to say the right things and do the right things for the people around you, then it is a big weight to carry. You shouldn’t be taking a burden like that yourself, especially if your happiness comes at the expense of someone else. You can only be responsible for yourself and your own actions, not those of others. It can be a hard thing to do, but if you start to focus more of your time and energy on helping yourself to live in a way that reflects your own personal values, rather than trying to control that of other people, it can make a big difference in your life. 

Allow time for fun and enjoyment

It can be easy to feel guilty if you take some time out to do something fun. After all, there are always other things that you can be doing from a never-ending to-do list. The thing with hard work and sacrifice is that it isn’t something that has to take over your life. If you want to live life to the fullest and embrace who you are, then you need to take time for fun, and not wait until you think that you deserve it. So put aside some time in your schedule to do something that you really enjoy. It could be exercise, walking, crafts, singing, reading, or a range of other activities. Having fun and enjoying life can give you a rest and help to energize you, but it will also remind you that you are worthy of self-care and looking after yourself; you’re not an afterthought. 

Be vulnerable with others

If you dislike yourself, then it can be an easy excuse to stay away from others. You may only try to show a version of yourself that you think they are going to accept. Rejection and fear of that can be hard, especially if you think you’ll be on your own if they accept you for who you are. 

Letting someone else see what bothers you, lifts you up, fears that you have, or what can disappoint you, can be hard. Although we are all human, it can be hard to let others know that we are, if that makes sense? Not showing off vulnerability can be hard, especially if you hate yourself. You’ll just think that they will too.

Small things can make a difference in how you see yourself, and help you to really embrace who you are. It can be a long road for some, but definitely worth it.

moving, moving house

Get A Clutter Free Home In Five Steps’

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Using interior design there are many ways that you can create a beautiful home. Before you start painting and adding decor items it’s a good idea to remove the clutter. To help you get a clutter-free home, simply follow these easy steps.

 

1 . A clutter-free system

To declutter your home first you need to create a clutter-free system. Sort through all of your belongings, putting the things you rarely use to one side. If there are items that you are never going to use, dispose of these things. Items that you only need once or twice a year can be boxed up and stored in your attic space. 

You might choose to recycle your items or sell them to make a few dollars. Try to dispose of your things in a green and sustainable way.

 

  1. Focus on need 

To create a clutter-free home you’ll need to focus on items that you actually need. Choose functional pieces of furniture, and keep your decor simple. The minimalist interior design look focuses on creating a beautiful space using a small amount of objects. It’s about designing an attractive space that feels clear, but not empty. To get more advice about creating a minimalist home, check out magazines such as Minimalissimo.

 

  1. Decluttering help tools

If you need a little help decluttering your home these decluttering tools can help you. Here you’ll find plenty of ideas to get a clutter-free and lovely home.

 

Toss-Declutter Fast & Easy

The Toss application uses a special decluttering system to help you get rid of your junk. Users are prompted to complete small decluttering tasks each day. There’s a focus on tracking your progress and experiencing the serenity of a clutter-free life.

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The clutter-free app uses decluttering challenges, to help you clean up your home. Use the app to get organized, creating a neat space that you can be proud of.

 

  1. Self-storage options

If you have a smaller home you may find that you don’t have space for all your belongings. Instead of living in a cluttered environment, consider using a Self-Storage unit. You can use these units to store items that you don’t use very often. With an affordable and practical solution, you’ll free up plenty of space in your home.

 

  1. Mindful habits

Once you’ve decluttered your home you’ll want to ensure that the clutter does not return! The easiest way to do this is to examine your purchasing habits. When you’re shopping, try to be as mindful as possible. Think very carefully about the objects you buy. Only purchase things that you feel will bring joy and extra value to your home.

Whether you’re moving home or simply cleaning up, there are many ways to deal with clutter. With tips like these, it’s incredibly easy to create a clutter-free home. Once you remove the clutter you’ll improve your enjoyment of your home. Creating a blank canvas means it is far easier to make the right decor choices.

 

Weddings

Things To Think About When Getting Married Abroad

Getting married is a massive day for all involved and has been for years upon years, that is why so many people tend to go as big as they can afford and make it a great day to remember. When doing this a lot of people choose to get married overseas, this can be for a number of reasons, maybe you have family over there or you just fancy something different, either way there are a few things you should think about before choosing to be married abroad or going ahead with it.

If you are planning on having your big day abroad and you are unsure what to think about when trying to plan it, then hopefully, these few tips will give you an idea of what to look at and research and get you started on planning your big day abroad.

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Source: Pexels

Are weddings abroad expensive?

You would be inclined to think that a wedding abroad in the sunshine would be a costly one but this isn’t the case. On average a destination wedding can cost £7,500 and this compared to the average spent in the UK which is around £31,000 marrying abroad can actually work out a lot cheaper. One of the big reasons a destination wedding can be a lot cheaper is down to guests, not everyone will want to fly out to your wedding so the average guests comes down to around 15 this brings the costs down a lot.

Should you use a destination wedding specialist

This is more personal preference because it all depends on how set you are on planning your own wedding, if you are busy and do not have the time to plan then yes get a wedding specialist if you have always wanted to plan your own wedding then don’t. When it comes to destination weddings there can be lots of paperwork and planning involved to make sure everything is done properly and that it is a legal wedding so having a destination wedding specialist is really helpful even if it is just to help with the admin because you need to make sure everything is done right so there are no horrible surprises.

Do your research and make sure you have everything

One of the hardest things to deal with when having a destination wedding is going to be the paperwork, it’s obviously the last thing anyone wants to do when getting married but it is the most crucial because if anything is off then the whole thing is void and ruined. You will need to make sure you have an original or certified copy of the following for most countries, valid 10 year passport, full birth certificates, proof of any name changes by deed poll, any marriage and death certificates if widowed, decree absolute should you be married and any adoption certificates if you are adopted. These are the major documents you will need to get married, but also think about once married too like do you need to apply for spouse visa, this is if you are marrying someone that is not for the EU so they can actually live with you in the UK.

If you are looking to plan and sort out a destination wedding and you are unsure what you need to be thinking about then these few tips should give you some idea of what you need to do to prepare for your destination wedding.

Relationships

4 Solutions to Your Long Distance Relationship

 

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Imagine meeting someone while travelling or on holiday and experiencing an immediate spark. It sounds like every romantic’s dream, but it happens to more people than you think. When the time comes to leave, however, many will consider it a brief holiday romance and nothing more. They don’t want to deal with a long-distance relationship and all the baggage that comes with it. But, a long-distance relationship can work if you know how to make it successful. 

 

Bring Them Over 

If you’ve met the love of your life, but they are from somewhere different, your immediate reaction would be to bring them over to live and work with you at home.

If you’ve come to the end of your journey and have already decided to get married, you might find it easier to live together in the same place, as all married couples should. However, this does not always guarantee permanent residence in some places, so you may need to look at a spouse visa extension while you work out how to keep you and your partner together forever. 

 

Meet in the Middle 

If you want to keep the spark of adventure going for as long as possible, you and your long-distance love can always meet in the middle. This is often a no-risk approach that allows you to spend plenty of time together without committing to a specific place to stay forever.

Many long-distance couples will decide to go travelling together so they can see the world with someone they love and trust, and keep them from going back to the real world. 

 

Find A Way to Compromise 

However, as wonderful as it would be, you can’t travel the world forever. At some point, you’ll need to get back to the real world. This can be a challenging decision for long-distance lovers, as you need to decide where you will live. 

 This applies whether you’re ready to get married or not. You and your partner should consider where in the world you want to live. It might be that someone needs to find a way to compromise if you’re to spend as much time together as you want. 

 

Maintain Communication

It might be that it’s impossible to be together, at least right now. This doesn’t mean you should give up on your long-distance relationship, though.

You can maintain the relationship’s strength by being sure to communicate with each other as often as possible. Send messages throughout the day, even if they aren’t awake to read them yet. Set up regular video calls and make sure you make time for them. If you want to keep the flame burning, sending them gifts like flowers will remind them you’re thinking about them no matter how far apart you are.

 

Love Knows No Distance 

While long-distance relationships can be challenging, you will put the effort in if you believe it’s worth it. If you and your partner have big dreams for the future and want to spend as much time with one another as possible, you will have no trouble finding a solution that works.

Self care

4 Brilliant Ways To Improve Your Lack of Confidence

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Most people have their confidence to thank for how successful they are. But a few others are still in the dark on how to gain confidence. Building confidence can be quite tricky because everyone is unique, and different things contribute to self-confidence.

If you can manage to build and maintain self-confidence, you stand to gain a lot in life. For one, confidence can make you feel and look sexy. It can also help you influence others, impact executive skills, and feel valued.

If you’ve tried self-help ideas to build your confidence, but they didn’t work, there’s no need to worry! Here are brilliant ways to work and develop your self-confidence effortlessly.

Start a Hobby

Everyone has a hobby or a talent. However, if you are genuinely passionate about something, you should commit all your energy to it.

It could be that you are an excellent swimmer, cheerleader, singer, or dancer, or great at photography. Wherever your interests lie, it would be best to enhance such skills to build your confidence. 

Besides, having a hobby will help you develop valuable skills in your professional and personal life as they are a form of self-care. If you take care of yourself and are proud of your skills, you are more likely to feel confident.

Take Care of Your Body

Most confident people have their bodies to thank. So, if you want to improve your lack of confidence, it would be best to take care of your body the best way you can. And there is no limit to what you can do to look after your body.

Foremost, don’t skimp on sleep. Secondly, make meditation or self care a habit. Finally, you can also exercise if you want to improve your flexibilityand stamina.  

Perhaps, most importantly, dress to kill. While shopping for clothes, take advantage of sales and discounts such as knitwear sale if you want to save a few coins.

Look After Your Skin

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Therefore, it is vital to indulge in good skincare routines. Furthermore, having great skin can improve your confidence since it resonates with positivity and beauty.

Find ways to take care of your skin the right way. Knowing your skin type would be a great start to help you identify what products to use. 

You should also drink water to boost your skin’s appearance. Water can reduce wrinkles, prevent acne and pimples, balance the skin’s pH, and help retain moisture.

Look at Your Achievements

Lastly, there is no better way to improve your lack of self-confidence than looking at your achievements. Everyone has something they can be proud of in their life, no matter how trivial it is.

You can quickly lose your self-esteem and confidence if you feel like you have never achieved anything in life. Therefore, create a list of things you are proud of doing to boost your confidence.
The above tips can work their magic in boosting your self-confidence. So be sure to apply them, and you will not regret it at all!

 

home

Home space makeover on a budget.

There are so many ways to makeover your living room without spending a ton of money. I’m going to give you a few ideas on how to give your living room, or any room in the house for that matter, a glamorous overhaul without breaking the bank. If you are in a rented home and I’m not allowed to paint or drill holes to add photos or artwork there are still many ways to change your space using stick on hooks and wall coverings.

Wall hangings and tapestries are great way to make big changes to a room, you can create a feature wall using large pieces or use smaller pieces to hang like art. Choosing the right colours and patterns are very important as large tapestries draw the eye immediately when entering the room, you can decorate the entire room based around the colours or patterns or theme of the fabric and change that whenever you want to start new.

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Fabric hangings and tapestries can give rooms are very bohemian look and feel and also makes a room feel less cold as fabrics are very warming and this goes for bedding, cushions and throws eccetera. If you’re going to go for a wall hanging tapestry I suggest this is one of the first things you purchase as it sets the tone and colour palette for the whole room.

Just like a wall hangings, bedding has a huge bearing on how your bedroom looks. If it’s the bedroom you are giving the makeover this would be an important thing to consider. The bed is often the largest item in the room so covering it with a fabric definitely draws the eye so choosing bedding is very important as again it helps to set the theme or colour scheme that runs through the bedroom. The bedding tying into the theme/colour scheme of the room will create cohesion. When making over a bedroom on a budget bedding is a great place to start as it is something that will always be in the room. Doing makeovers in my home always makes me feel like I’m adulting.

No matter what room you are working on the floor is the largest surface in the space and definitely requires consideration. I have engineered wood flooring throughout my house with the only carpet being on the stairs. So the floors in every room look great regardless of the decor in the room and it’s allows for low cost customisation using rugs. Choosing a rug or runner to add some more personality to your space makes a big difference but doesn’t have to cost the world and these are some of the things that can be moved around or moved to a different room as and when you fancy a change.

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The most cost effective way to make changes to a room is to switch out smaller decorative accessories. Recently rose gold accessories have been huge in home decor and really add a touch of glam to a room. I personally like white accessories at the moment just because I like clean and simple looking pieces, also it’s very easy to add colour in different ways for example bedding and fabrics. White, gold and black accessories are nice and simple and will fit in any bedroom and if you every decide to change the colour scheme completely these items could still stay.

Accessories can range from plant pots to rugs, cushions, artwork, chair covers, lanterns, pen holders, candles, anything really and they make a room feel more you and will showcase your style and character. All of these things work together so you don’t have to replace any large furniture items to get a brand new room.

Another great way to improve your living space is to update outdoor areas with anything from composite decking, new garden furniture to even something as small as some new flowers or plants. There are so many low cost options to makeover your surroundings.

Do you have a tips to share on ways to change up your space on a budget?

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