What are your new years resolutions for 2017?

First of all, i would like to say - Happy New Year.

As the New Year approaches, we all know that it is very common for everyone to start thinking about idea's for their new year resolutions. It is a tradition, let's face it. And it is the first month of the year, It is the perfect opportunity for you to improve something about yourself or to break a bad, unpleasant, distressing  habit. It is a time for you to wipe the slate clean and start again. 

'New year, new you' as they say!

Although new year resolutions are not for everyone. It is an opportunity for you to do something to make you feel better about yourself, almost like a goal, but it is important that you feel determined. Surround yourself with people who inspire you and who can encourage you. Make sure you write your goals down, people with written goals are 50% more likely  to achieve than people without goals. It is very important to have hope in your life, and personally, i could not think of a better opportunity to begin by setting yourself new year resolutions, big or small, it is a start to becoming a better you. 

Katia Beauchamp, cofounder and CEO of Birchbox, would like to focus on growing her confidence. "The year ahead is all about elevating my confidence and celebrating the incredible accomplishments of life."

Many people search for ideas on how to be healthier, exercise  more, to stop smoking, how to be more organised, getting a new job, to be a better cook, to spend more time with others, to learn something new, etc. What is your new year resolution going to be? 

Good Luck and all the best for 2017.  

Finally, that confidence boost

I cannot believe that it has almost been a year since i wrote my last blog post. A lot has happened during this time, it has been quite eventful indeed...

Yesterday, i attended a family wedding, surrounded by loving family and friends, in which i had some interesting discussions with some very interesting people (along with lots of drinking, dancing and very bad singing), which led me to feeling extremely inspired again. I have also received multiple comments about how i should start blog writing again, and here i am.

So, let me fill you in about what has been happening...

First of all, i do not want to bore you, so i'll not go into every little detail. Here we go... I feel like i am at that age (24) where you learn some of the most important lessons in your life. This last year has been somewhat of a roller coaster. I have learnt a lot about myself and others. I have come to discover how much of a sensitive person i am, and although i don't like to admit it, i have sadly allowed people to criticise, degrade and intimidate me (not cool). I have also learnt that i do not take things with a pinch of salt, i take everything to heart and this has recently led me to lose a lot of self confidence.

However, only i can change this. So far, i have learnt to walk away from all the negativity and learnt to do what's best for me and actually do what makes me happy, and not others. I noticed i was feeling very uncomfortable around a lot of people because i was trying to be someone i wasn't... i constantly worry about what people think... This has to stop, it's exhausting.

I'm sharing this with you because i know i am not alone and i just want you to know that it's so important to be yourself, people should want to accept you for who you are. One of the worst feelings is feeling like you're misunderstood. You have to remember, people lead very different life's, we've all walked in different shoes. To try and understand what someone else is or going through, isn't easy and some people are not willing to to even try or  they think they know, but they just don't. But, nobody is perfect. Everyone has their weaknesses and everyone has their strengths. At the end of the day, we are all human but constantly trying to please everyone else is so unhealthy for you. Since i realised all of this and actually started doing something about it, like putting myself first for once, worrying less and just going with the flow, i literally feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders.

It is also important to know who to confide in, which is those who believe in you, who push you to do well (as daunting as that is sometimes). Like i said, it has been a roller coaster, the only thing that has kept me strong throughout my recent struggle, has been surrounding myself with amazing friends and family. I have been to three amazing weddings, three of the most fun hen party's, birthdays, festivals, etc, etc.... it has been a fantastic summer.

I have now got myself a new lovely job and i have also took it upon myself to go back to college to study GCSE English again. English has been one of my weak points,  however, im determined to do what i need to do in order to help myself with my future and my self confidence. So far it's going great and i am really enjoying it. There is still a long way to go, but i feel like i have come a long way and i know there are a lot of people out there who care and want to help me, which makes me very happy.

I might have taken a step back, but sometimes you have to take a step back to take 10 steps forward.

Onwards and Upwards!

I'm growing up...

It's been a very long time since i've wrote a post!

To be honest, I wanted to start a new blog but i couldn't find the delete button... Plus, i recently wrote a post about my life story, which was a big hit, the biggest i've had! Over 800 views actually, and that may not be a lot to some people, but it is to me. I received so many pleasant messages from people thanking me for helping them and opening there eyes to the world. I guess i had shown a lot of people how to think positively, it was really nice to know that i had helped and it made me feel happy that i was inspiring people :)

So, i thought i could just start again from here instead of deleting my whole blog! 

I'm not entirely sure what has brought this on... I did have my hair cut quite short today.... New look, new me! You know what they say.

The truth is, i feel like i need to take my own advice when it comes to thinking positively, it's easy to help others but when it comes to yourself, taking your own advice is harder than it seems sometimes. Some of you may know that i have been at University studying fashion and design, that's all over and i'm graduating on the 25th November, ITS SO EXCITING!!!!! 

I know i'm not alone when i say, i feel completely lost! What do i do now? Whats next? Please let me know if you're in the same boat!

It seems so hard to find a job in the fashion industry, i just want to be a fashion designer in London or New York already but i just have to remind myself that you've got to start somewhere, whether it's just somewhere small, somewhere that i can work my way up!

Im just wondering if there's anyone out there with any advice?
It's daunting! Exciting too though, without a doubt. I just have to have faith in myself right?
There's something out there for everyone.

I feel under a lot of pressure to be successful, i'm being pushed to do well and to make something of myself by my family and friends and thats because they have faith in me. Its nice to know that i've got that support and maybe that push is what i need, as stressful as it can be sometimes.

If you follow me on Instagram, (daryl_ivyana) you will see that i've started doodling designs again! :) Practise makes perfect!

Let me introduce you to my new collection, Bouquet

Hello everyone, I hope we are happy and well?

As some of you may know, i'm in my third year at University at the moment studying fashion and design, with two weeks left to go! Scary. I mean, all i've ever known is being in education and now i'm about to go out into the big wide world! It's really exciting but so daunting at the same time. I have set myself big goals though, i don't want to be one of those to leave university and not do anything with their degree,  it's taken me 4-5 years to finish this degree as i had to take a year out and re-sit a year due to family circumstances, so i'm going to try my very best to get a job in the fashion industry, possibly an internship! Fingers crossed.

I'm here today to write a blog post for my business studies! And as i already have a blog, i thought i would write an updated post about my collection. Which finally has a name by the way... 'Bouquet' What do you think? It took me ages to come up with it as i wanted something that really connected with my collection. I sat here wondering if i could adapt it. For example, i was going to call it 'Day-Glo Bouquet' but i thought that was too much. In the end i thought i would just keep it nice and simple!

I've made a lot of progress this last week or two!  I've almost finished sewing my collection together and i'm hoping to have it finished by this coming week. (I'll be sure to post finished pictures!) Today, i've sat here and done all my design boards, i've constantly gone back and forth making improvements and although my illustration skills are not the best, i'm really pleased with how my boards are looking.

Mood Board

Final Line-Up Board

For my collection, i first began by looking into the 1960's! It's an area i've always been interested in. Straight away i knew i wanted to do shift dresses, further research took me into playsuits! So i decided i would do two of each. However, i wanted to put a twist on my designs. Doing my trend research i came across a trend forecast called 'Soft Pop' which was really colourful and bright and it really had caught my attention, at this piont i had a lot of idea's flowing through my head but i still wasn't 100% sure. Until i came across a designer called 'Kate Spade' who was a really big inspiration. One of her collections involved block colours with floral prints and florescent colours and i decided i wanted to do something a long those lines. Taking into consideration the rest of my inspiration, i decided i would try and create floral panels onto these simple silhouettes. As you can see from my designs above, i thought i'd go that step further and add in some bright colours.

These are pictures of my collection in progress, none of them are completely finished in any of these pictures, but definitely are not far off. Hopefully when i write my next post, i'll be able to show you pictures of the finished product!

Until then.

Take care Readers!

Daryl Ivyana Richardson x

New Logo!

Hello everyone! Hope you are all well and staying positive? :-)

Today, i received my new art work for my Brand - Ivyana
Im absolutely in love with it!

Really big Thankyou to my lovely friend! 

Credit: Rachel Louise Carter

My story and The Secret

It's taking a lot of courage for me to write this post as it's very personal but i feel like it's an experience i'd like to share hoping i can help and inspire others... I know i'm not the only one who's lost a love one or gone through a really tough time at some piont!

Here goes... 

I've always felt like i've led an ordinary life. I was just like any other ordinary girl, i graduated from high school in 2008 and didn't do the best i probably could have done and i thought that was it for me but i didn't let that stop me and with the help of my big sister (who's always had her head screwed on), i got into college. Probably the best two years of my life, it was fun and i met some amazing friends! Friends that are still in my life today. Sitting there with my tutor and her assistant, we were discussing extensions for my work, i still didn't think any differently but the truth was that i was struggling and didn't realise why, i just thought i wasn't handling the amount of work very well, i could never concentrate and i was doubting myself as hard as i was trying. In the end, I graduated college with a distinction and two merits! It came as a massive surprise but when i thought back to how hard i'd tried, even if i thought it hadn't tried enough... i proved myself wrong. 

So then i got into University... Just locally, i didn't have the confidence to go too far away from home. Our family friend came to visit and it wasn't until our conversation that i realised how well i'd actually done. "You've done so well to get into University, i told my mum and she couldn't believe it after everything you've been going through" At this moment, i had the biggest reality check. In my second year of college, my mum had a battle with mouth Cancer, she had an operation and got the all clear. That's when i realised, i hadn't had it easy, along with the rest of my family and at this moment i felt so proud of myself for pushing myself the way i had, despite the doubt. 

First year of University, Mum got cancer again. This time it was terminal. I'm the youngest of four, the only one still living at home, looking after both mum and dad as he'd had a minor stroke. I had both parents in hospital, it was so hard, not just for me but for us all, trying to balance my studies at the same time but i had to be strong for both mum and dad because, them knowing that they were both in hospital, you can imagine how helpless they felt but it couldn't be helped. Luckily, the family pulled together, my family realised i was struggling so i went to live with my Aunt for a month or so, just so i could concentrate on my studies and get them out of the way in time for deadlines. Results came back and id only just passed and got into second year but that was enough for me.

October 2011, Sadly, mum passed away. Dad had his second stroke. It was all so much to handle, it really did hit me hard, i'd been so strong for so long. Seeing my family heart broken and not being able to do anything about it, it's horrible. February came and me and my boyfriend had broken up (on good terms) that was the last straw for me. I broke. I'd been in two relationships since the age of 15, from one straight into another. I had no idea what it was like to be on my own or at least, thats how it felt. After all of this, I'd hit what i thought was rock bottom. Trying to pick myself up, i went partying all the time. I blew all my money and then was i was stressed because i couldn't cope with my bills. I pushed everyone away because all i did was cry and complain but didn't do anything about it. Life really wasn't fair and i was soon diagnosed with depression.

I soon met a friend that was quite supportive, she made sure i didn't mope around feeling sorry for myself, she kept me busy! which helped A LOT. I soon found a job and thought everything was finally looking up. Then i found out i'd failed my second year of University and had to take a year out, which was so hard to come to terms with. I sat myself in a corner, thinking hard about what i had to do, i definitely wanted to go back to University, i knew that. I knew i wanted to make mum proud. My aunt always said, if you believe it, you'll do it.  Negative thoughts won't get you anywhere so I sat there and thought about what this year out gives me a chance to do... driving lessons! So i found a second job and worked my socks off. 

My new managers were so supportive of me and i got a long with them great. They told me about this book called 'The Secret'.  So i bought this book and it's the first book i've ever enjoyed reading! My aunt had previously told me about this book too and that's why she's always so positive! It taught me that no matter how bad life seems or how hard it is, it's definitely not the end of the world and you're thoughts and actions are your future. I knew the last thing mum would have wanted was for me to keeping doubting myself and being so negative, however all this changed! I began to believe in myself. I got promoted and began my training for manager, i became a supervisor in my other job and I passed my driving test, I got my first car, I got back into University, i earned back all the money i had blew partying! It felt amazing. My positive attitude attracted so many positive things into my life, including some of the best people i've ever met and i know my mum would be so proud.

We all go through tough times in our life's, some worse than others. Sometimes it feels like the end of the world and sometimes it feels like you've hit rock bottom. Let me tell you something, It's not the end of the world. You just have to find that urge in yourself to stand up and say 'i can do this'. There's no such thing as impossible! What's the use in moping around feeling sorry for yourself? Even if you have every right too!

I found setting myself goals really helped and if you truly believe in yourself, you'll do it and when you do, it's the best feeling! Which urges you to keep going! Be positive! And if you ever find yourself down in the dumps, don't go listening to sad music that's going to depress you, listen to something upbeat and happy!

Dealing with loss, is never easy. I know quite a lot of people who have lost loved ones so i know i'm not on my own and we all handle it in different ways. All you should know is that their up there watching over you and want you to be happy and make them proud. Do what makes you happy, do something you love in life. Surround yourself with positivity! They're always around. I'm a big believer of angels and spirits as i've had experiences and heard many amazing stories.

Im now 22 years old, independant i'm in my third year of University. (after re-sitting my second year) Im more than excited for the future ahead of me. I feel like this is only the beginning. I'm not sure what i'm going to be doing in the future, but its about taking small steps forward. I have the most strongest, loving family who i love dearly and amazing friends and if it wasn't for these people, i wouldn't be where i am today! I can't stress how much i appreciate the love and support i've been given. Me and my family have been through a big journey and it hasn't been easy, but we're all so happy now, we've supported each other non stop and we're all doing so well. I feel so lucky to have them in my life.

Now, i want to help others believe in themselves!
If you haven't already, make sure the first thing you do tomorrow, is go buy 'The Secret'. I promise you won't regret it!

If you're local to me, it's in stock at a shop called 'An angel beside you' In South Elmsall near asda :-)

'As The Secret has swept the world and touched millions of lives, we have received so many stories of lives being transformed into joy.' http://thesecret.tv/living.html 

Feel free to email me at Darylivyana@outlook.com for any advice! 

Too much excitement!

Hey folks! I must apologise as it's been a while, but as you know i'm in my third year at University and there's a lot to handle! On this note, i've recently handed my notice in at work so i can concentrate more on my studies. Hashtag GEEK. ;-)

A little of what i've been up to? My brother previously got married and i have the best sister-in-law i can ask for. No really, she's ace! We all had a lovely day, surrounded by family and friends. It was really nice and i cried a lot... my sister-in-law looked absolutely stunning, especially when she walked in wearing the most beautiful dress. Her and my brother are just adorable, he twirled her around as they did a little dance down the isle! I cried throughout the whole thing... I'd like to think i'll get married one day and be that cute with someone. My brother reckons it'll be to someone Irish... (Some of my close friends here at Uni are Irish) while i just think i'll turn out to be some sort of crazy cat lady! Hm...

Anyway, It's coming to the end of the academic year (way too fast for my liking) and there's a lot to be cracking on with and this is where i start to panic... pretty sure it isn't just me!? right? There's quite a lot of exciting thing's going at the minute. As some of you know, i've been working on my 'Final Major Project' designing and making a collection and it's going very well.

Last night, i threw some quick drawings together of my Collection, these are not the final drawings... i was just curious to what they would look like together.

I've always had a big interest in the 1960's and the Shift dress, so i can used that shape in two of my collections, then inspired by designer Kate Spade with the colours and patterns. Followed by two playsuits. 

Here are three of them, almost finished. I just have to put the zips in and sew hemlines with one more design in progress, starting off with a toile of course.

And the last one in working progress...

It's such a good feeling to know that i'm nearly finished. Not only that, one of my best friends is currently working on a new look for my brand and logo 'Ivyana' 

EXCITING!!!!!

Follow me on Instagram for more work and designs.

                                                    #Ivyanafashion #Ivyana

https://instagram.com/missdarylivyana/