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!

Hair Tips No.2 - Got2b Oil-Licious with Argan Oil

So recently i've had wonderful visit from my lovely best friend who's trying to grow her hair so i said i'd share with her some of my top hair tips!!

I've done one of these before, however it was quite a while ago! If you've seen it, i had a BEFORE and AFTER picture of the length of my hair. 

I'd previously done some research into how to look after your hair and what you can do to help it grow. Obviously since then, i've changed a few things when it comes to my hair! (I previously had quite a lot cut off to make it healthy again, which was heart breaking! But it's finally starting to grow again, Yay! and it's the best it has felt for years!)

Here are my TOP tips:

• Don't straighten/curl it EVERY DAY! Leaving it natural some days, maybe in a loose bun on the top of your head really does help! And these days a messy bun is in trend! Maybe straightening it once a week is ok!
• Let it dry naturally, or use a a low heat setting!  I try hard not to use heat on my hair, it just doesn't do it any favours!
• Certain Foods! Eat eggs, beans, nuts, yogurts and cheese! There's other foods such as whole-grain cereals, dark green vegetables, banana's, etc.
• Multivitamins! 
• Excersise!
• Head massage! Tip your head upside down once in a while and just give your self a little head massage! 
• Don't over brush! Believe it or not, over brushing your hair can be bad. It can pull full strands from the roots, so maybe one or twice a day!
• Loose hair bands! Tying hair up tightly can break or damage strands.

Recently, my hair's been in such a good condition and has been so easy to handle! (Previously having long, thick knotty hair!)

I've been using herbal essences shampoo and conditioner (i know everyone has their own brands that they get on best with!)

 After towel drying my hair after washing it, i'll put a fair amount of 'BED HEAD - EGO BOOST Split end Mender, Leave in conditioner' as i have really thick hair and tie it up in a loose band on the top of my head.

Once my hair's finally dried naturally, i'll spray some 'TRESemmé heat defence' through my hair, to protect it from any heat (If I'm going to straighten/curl it, which i only do once a week at the most!)

Whether leaving my hair natural or styling it, i've recently started using 'Schwarzkopf got2b Oil-licious - With Argan Oil' Which is a weightless dry oil mist, which smooths and gives you tangle free locks! Its by far the best product i've ever used! It definitely does what it says on the tin!! This spray says it can be used everyday, however i only use it once a week as my hair just doesn't get knotty or frizzy after using it the 1st time! I would definitely recommend it to anyone! :-)

So there we go! My top tips for looking after my hair! :-)
Most of these products are available at Boots or Superdrug!
Please feel free to leave comments and your tips!

xox

Upwards and Onwards

It's been a while hasn't it? I'm incredibly sorry! I've been caught up on settling back into my final year at university - Finally! Yay! :-D

When it comes to myself and feelings at the moment, they've been here and there! October is a hard month for me but Do you ever just feel like, you aren't good enough? Well, I'm all one for positive thinking and everything but I'm not sure what happened this time, i just found myself getting lower and lower.

Firstly, I found myself feeling very low about  my ability to be a blog writer! Another reason was that i almost had (what could have been) a very serious car accident, which scared me so much! Which made me doubt my driving skills. If it's one piece of advice i have for you, do not take things or people for granted!!! It's safe to say, im slowly getting over it and taking a lot more caution! We've all done it right? Lesson learnt!! There is a few other reasons to why i felt the way i have been but I'll not bore you! :-)

OK so, after feeling down in the dumps, I woke up one morning and gave myself a reality check! I'd do this thing that my sister used to tell me to do, where you would write a list of 10-20 things you have to look forward to in your life as well as setting goals! I find it helps to motivate me. 

I find it amazing how much self confidence people can have. Some people think I'm quite confident and I do like to think I am most of the time. I mean, I can talk the hind legs off a donkey! But what people don't see is that I'm easily intimidated. I will try my best to fit in with anyone, sometimes I struggle but what you have to accept is, that's just the way it is sometimes! Some people are not as easy to get on with as much as others but if it's one thing i've learnt, it's to be yourself, don't try and be someone your not and most importantly, Believe in yourself. Because if you don't... you won't get far. Be positive! :-)

Today, I read this article in the Company Magazine - it was quite interesting actually! About, how it's getting to that time of year where everyone's making themselves available, ready to get all cosy for the Christmas/winter season! Isn't that crazy? I say this, but deep down im one of these people! Or at least, id like to be... but not just for the winter season!!! that's just pure madness if you ask me. This is where self confidence comes into it... when it comes to guys, im so shy! I am the biggest wimp and I hate admitting this, because guys like confident females don't they? Apparently. I just don't seem to handle the whole 'Butterfly' feeling very well and quite frankly, it always gets the better of me!  I don't know why and I like to think that I'm not the only one

If your anything like me, your a people pleaser and you worry too much what people think? Yes? Well, i should probably take my own advice in this case, but don't. 

These are the things I tell myself everyday! 

1) Don't worry about what people think of you. (What your wearing or what you are doing, being confident and being different makes you stand out from the crowd!)

2) Believe in yourself. (You can do it! Whatever it is you want to do, get up and do it!)

Which brings me to number 3..

3) There's no such thing as 'Can't' (Anything is possible!)

4) Set yourself goals and achievements (I did this on my year out and doubted myself but I kept going and did it, I achieved more than everything I hoped I would, and believe me... it's the best feeling in the world!)

5) All you can do is try your best (At least you can say you tried, even if it comes to not being very confident with something, you don't know until you try!)

6) It's not the end of the world (Never give up. I've been through some pretty bad times in the last few years... there was a point when i thought it was the end of the world and i gave up, but i soon realised there's a big world out there. Pick yourself up and try again. Maybe start a new journey?)

7) Always turn a negative into a positive (Positive thinking attracts positive people and happenings!)

8) Smile :-)

Dee 
xox


Images from : 
http://thekissingexpert.com/kiss-essentials/the-naughty-nice-of-mistletoe-kissing
http://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/specific.html
http://signature-strength.com/workshops/mastermind-your-career/attachment/fed-up-woman-at-desk-2/

My work, My style, What I love, What I don't and What inspires me! Can you help me?

So, not only do i have my blog site, but i have my Facebook page where i have albums full of work, designs and art - good and bad! as im practicing hoping to get better at painting and illustrating in general.

I almost have 200 likes on my page... So so close!! I've figured, i need more connections with Artists and Designers, maybe someone who can look at my work and give me some advice or help me in any way possible!

So by writing this, im really hoping people will like my page Ivyana and possibly share it, to hopefully achieve more likes along with more support!!

Pretty please with sugar on top? :-)

It's going to be one HARD year!

OK, so i finally made it into my third year at University - Yay!! It's about time really, as i put myself behind two years, Oops! But taking a year out was the best decision i ever made, because i wouldn't be as happy and determined as i am now!

Everyday without a doubt, i sit here and think about all the work i have to, but then again i instantly turn that horrible scary thought into a positive, because ITS MY LAST YEAR! I mean, i only have to do this for one more year, i've been doing this for the past 6 years! it's felt like my entire life, so... what's one more year of working stupidly hard, being stressed and doing all nighters going to do? (Hopefully, get me a damn good grade and a degree so i can get an awesome job in the fashion industry!!) After that, that's when my life really begins, the world is going to be my oyster! That's what scares me! But for now, i need to decide on what im going to do for my dissertation! I haven't even started it yet and im already hating the word! I have a few idea's for inspiration however if anyone has any tips on how to get started or what helped you decide on what to write about, then any advice would be much appreciated!

xxx