Taking Time To Breathe

How to take time to relax and breathe
How to take time to relax and breathe
Hello my lovelies and happy weekend! Today’s post is a little different and a bit more personal because I want to talk about the importance of taking time to breathe. Now that sounds really weird because obviously breathing is a reflex, something that we don’t normally think about, but I don’t just mean in the physical sense. 
Salut mes choux et bon week-end! Aujourd’hui, j’ai un post un peu différent pour vous – il est plus personnel et je veux vous parler de l’importance de prendre le temps de respire. Oui, c’est un peu bizarre parce qu’on respirer sans penser mais je ne veux que dire dans le sens physique. 
How to take time to relax and breathe
How to take time to relax and breathe
Last Saturday, Lewis and I took the metro up to Canyelles at the edge of Barcelona to go exploring in the nature. It felt so wonderful to be rambling up steep, rough pathways with the (albeit extremely strong) wind whipping around us. Just the two of us, a backpack, a picnic, fresh air and the hills behind Barcelona. That is what I am talking about when I say taking time to breathe.    
Samedi dernier, Lewis et moi avons pris le métro jusqu’à Canyelles à la limite de Barcelone pour explorer la nature. C’etait exceptionnel de monter des chemins escarpés et rugueux avec du vent (oui assez fort!) autour de nous. Seulement nous, un sac à dos, un pique-nique, de l’air frais et des collines qui sont derrière Barcelone. Cela est ce que je vous en parle quand je dis qu’il faut prendre du temps de respirer. 
How to take time to relax and breathe
How to take time to relax and breathe
Taking yourself away from busy city life. Taking yourself away from technology and deadline pressures. Taking the time to breathe in fresh air, deep into your lungs – and not just fresh air but air smelling of pine needles. It was glorious and I came back feeling initially tired but also very refreshed. What was also interesting was that normally on a Saturday night if we stay in (which we did last Saturday), I often feel exhausted by about 10pm and struggle to keep my eyes open watching a film or what have you. I know, what an old grandma right?! However, last Saturday I still felt so awake late into the evening and it was so liberating!
Enlevez-vous de la vie de ville pressée. Enlevez-vous de la technologie et des pressions de délais. Prenez le temps de respirer de l’air frais, profondément dans vos poumons – et non seulement de l’air frais mais de l’air qui sent d’aiguilles de pin. C’était merveilleux et je suis revenue un peu fatiguée au début mais aussi tellement revigorée. Ce qui est intéressant – normalement un samedi si nous restons chez nous (ce que nous avons fait ce samedi-là), je suis déjà crevée à 22h et je le trouve difficile de rester réveillée pendant un film. Je sais, je suis mamie non?! Cependant, samedi dernier, j’étais vraiment réveillée jusqu’à tard et c’était libérateur!
How to take time to relax and breathe
How to take time to relax and breathe
The combination of taking a time out and doing exercise can do wonders for both the body and mind. I am someone who still needs to work on these two things even if I have already been taking steps over the past few months by really committing to my yoga practice by going 2-3 times a week. However, there are still times when my anxiety uncontrollably takes over and this does have an affect on my body. It is bloody tiring being worried! I definitely want to take more time in 2016 to have nothing in front of my eyes except the nature and the man I love. That is real therapy. 
Le melange de prendre une pause et de faire de l’exercice peut être magique pour le corps et l’esprit. J’ai toujours besoin de travailler sur ces deux choses même si je prends déjà des mesures pour faire plus de yoga – deux ou trois fois par semaine – et cela m’aide beaucoup. Cependant, il y a des moment quand l’angoisse me prends totalement et cela touche mon corps. C’est fatigant être inquiet! C’est sur qu’en 2016 je veux prendre plus de temps d’avoir rien devant mes yeux sauf la nature et l’homme que j’aime.  Cela est la vraie thérapie. 

I would love to hear how you guys take time out to relax and look after yourself!

Je veux bien savoir comment vous vous détendez et prenez soins de vous-même!




Izzie x



Travel Bucket List 2016

So after all the reflections of 2015, the goals for 2016 and a new batch of holiday allowance issued, it is time to start planning and dreaming. Welcome to my Travel Bucket List 2016, which I hope inspires you and takes you to some amazing places. But please don’t go to all of them before me, otherwise I will cry.
Travel bucket list 2016 Iceland Reykjavik

ICELAND
The absolute top of my Travel Bucket List for 2016 has to be Iceland. After glowing recommendations from my sister, mum and dad who all (separately) visited this enchanting country last year, I am dying to go. I want to see the pretty colourful houses of Reykjavik, bathe in the Blue Lagoon and try to catch the Northern Lights – which is an ultimate life goal of mine. Alas, Iceland might be just a pipe dream for now because it is so bladdy expensive to get there from Barcelona. Anyone want to pay for me?
Photo by Jessica Hardy 

Travel bucket list 2016 Madrid

MADRID
Before living in Barcelona, I really had no desire to visit Madrid – I just thought that Barcelona must be better. However, lots of Barca dwellers that I have spoken to rave about Madrid, seeing it as a much edgier, more London-like city in comparison. Well that sounds right up my street and seeing as I am living in Spain, I really must make time to visit the capital. Do not let the Catalans read this because their pride will be hurt and they will probably chop my fingers off!

Travel bucket list 2016 Japan

JAPAN
I have never been to Asia but Japan is definitely top of my list. I want to be able to spend a decent amount of time there so that I can experience lots of Japanese culture and see different parts of the country. I have never really been anywhere before where you have to change the way you act to fit with (or not offend) the locals and I think I would find this so interesting. I am fascinated by the craziness of Tokyo – the neon lights look amazing – and how beautiful is the cherry blossom?!

Travel bucket list 2016 Costa Brava Spain

COSTA BRAVA
The Costa Brava is the coastal strip stretching from Barcelona up north to the French border and it looks like the perfect break away from the city. What makes the Costa Brava special is its mix of both gorgeous sandy beaches and lush natural parks, which means there is something for everyone. Seeing as it is on my doorstep, I will definitely be heading up the coast when the warmer weather hits, in particular to Tossa de Mar, which has the gorgeous little cove in this left photo.

Travel bucket list 2016 Marrakesh Morocco

MOROCCO
I have wanted to go to Morocco, and more specifically Marrakesh, for soooo long. I mean just look at all those colours and pretty buildings! That is certainly not something that us British folk are used to! I know that it would be an experience like one I have never had before – different climates, foreign attitudes and intriguing cultures. And of course the most delicious FOOD! Let’s be honest – the food alone is a pretty good reason to go to Morocco.

Which places are on your Travel Bucket List for 2016 and why?

Izzie x


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ASOS Newbies

ASOS newbies silver bag and chelsea boots
ASOS newbies silver bag and chelsea boots
ASOS silver bag newbies
ASOS newbies silver bag
ASOS newbies black chelsea boots
ASOS newbies silver bag and chelsea boots
Daniel Wellington watch
ASOS newbies silver bag and chelsea boots
Silver Bag – ASOS, Boots – ASOS, Levi’s Jacket – KILO SHOP, Jumper – H&M (boyfriend’s), T-shirt – KILO SHOP, Jeans – MONKI, Socks – CALZEDONIA, Bandana – KILO SHOP, Watch – DANIEL WELLINGTON
Location: Carrer Comercial, Barcelona

Hello my lovelies! How exciting – the first outfit post of 2016 and it features some ASOS newbies that I picked up over Christmas. I spoke about aiming for some regularity to my blog posts in my 2016 GOALS post so I have that decided that on Mondays (but not exclusively on Mondays) I will bring you guys new OOTDs.
Now let’s get talking about these amazing ASOS bits! I have been after a silver shopper bag for a while now so when I came across this ASOS one, I popped it on my Christmas List just hoping to find it under the tree come Christmas day. And that I did. The colour is perfect and size is great for both everyday use and travel hand luggage (plus it’s only £20!). These boots I ordered for myself (woopsie) as a Christmas present. They are a great take on the classic leather chelsea boot and they are now in the sale so go go go!
Coucou mes choux! Et voila c’est le premier look de 2016 et il contient des nouveaux d’ASOS. Dans mes OBJECTIFS 2016, je vous ai parlé du fait que je veux un peu de régularité avec mon blog du coup j’ai décidé que les lundis (mais non seulement des lundis) se sont réservés pour les looks!
Allez, on parle de ces pièces magnifiques d’ASOS! Ça fait longtemps que je veux un sac argenté alors quand j’ai vu celui-ci sur ASOS, je l’ai mis sur ma liste de Nöel et j’ai espéré! Heureusement, je l’ai eu de mon père et je l’aime trop! Sa couleur est parfaite et sa taille est géniale soit pour la journée soit pour voyager. Ces bottes – je les ai acheté pour moi-même et elles sont en soldes – allez allez allez!
Izzie x



My 2015 Achievements & 2016 Goals

2015 achievements and 2016 goals new year's resolutions

Happy New Year! Bonne Année! Feliz Año Nuevo!

I hope you had a fabulous New Year’s Eve – whether it was a quiet night in, a wild night sending you to bed at the wee hours of this morning or a little bougie after a few too many glasses of Prosecco, it is all a good way to enter 2016. I had a lovely dinner at home with Lewis, joined some friends for drinks at their apartment, watched the fireworks at the beach and then was in bed by 2am after wandering through Barcelona’s buzzing streets. Perfect.

I am not generally one for setting new year’s resolutions but I have found it really useful to look back on the past year – which has had some extreme highs and extreme lows – and recognise my own achievements and set some realistic (and big dreamer) goals for 2016.

MY 2015 ACHIEVEMENTS

1. I changed my blog look and bought my own domain name.
This is something that I had wanted to do for a long time but, typical me, I put it off. Finally in September I got round to it and I feel that this has given my blog and I a new confidence boost!

2. I moved from Paris to Barcelona and started learning Spanish.
This was a pretty big deal for me. I had been putting off and putting off leaving Paris for over a year because it really is just my favourite place in the world. I am glad I made the change and I am proud of settling into a new city and picking up Spanish so quickly. My heart still does lie in Paris and with French though!

3. I worked with some amazing bloggers and brands.
The big one for me this year was continuing my relationship with Motel Rocks and being able to represent them at Paris Fashion Week twice this year.

4. I travelled a lot as well as spending the year living abroad.
After years of wanting to go, I finally went to Sweden this year and loved it! So my kind of place and gave me the Scandi-bug! I also explored France more including Brittany and Lyon, which was lovely.

5. My relationship is still going strong after nearly eight years together.
He is my rock and the one thing that makes me truly happy.


2015 achievements and 2016 goals new year's resolutions

MY 2016 GOALS

1. Continue to work hard on my blog content and social media channels.
I want to improve my quality and quantity of content, including having some (but not exclusively) regular set times of posting so you guys know when to check back here for new posts. I hope to improve my photography to have cleaner and brighter imagery.

2. Increase my blog readership and work towards the goal of full time blogging.
I know that blogging is not all about numbers but when you are working so hard on content, you want it to get seen! Blogging full time is a BIG goal but a girl has got to dream eh?

3. Get a job in an industry I am passionate about.
I am done with working shitty customer service jobs and I want to find my calling this year. Wish me luck!

4. Get to a decent level in Spanish.
I love learning languages so I need to knuckle down and do some serious self-study. I am not being just another Brit living in Spain who cannot speak the language!

5. T R A V E L! And also move to Canada/Berlin/London/back to Bristol.
Travel is my big passion (other than fashion) and I want to see new places this year. I am actually going to do a 2016 Travel Bucketlist next week so look out for that. As for moving, Barcelona is great but we are not staying long. A couple of months ago we managed to get Canadian visas so moving to Canada is a real once-in-a-lifetime possibility! Otherwise I would love to live in Berlin or settle back in the UK in London and Bristol and finally get a cat. We will see!

6. Live more in the moment, stop worrying and take some god damn risks.
I have not spoken a lot about this but I am the world’s biggest worrier and have the occasional severe anxiety episodes. I want to live for the now, not worry about the future and push myself in 2016.

7. Go on a yoga retreat.
I love yoga. It is my therapy from all my worries and I had already started working extremely hard on my practice towards the end of 2015. I want to keep learning and I would love to go on a yoga retreat away from technology and worries.

8. Start a YouTube channel?
Having dabbled in YouTube for my job in Paris, I think this year might be the year that I take the plunge and start my own channel. Hell, I may even shoot my first video today! I feel that YouTube is a lot more personal and I would like to connect more with you guys!

2015 achievements and 2016 goals new year's resolutions

So there you have it! My 2015 achievements and 2016 goals! What do you think of them and are any of yours similar!

Izzie x

Blogging Outtakes 2015

Because it is good not to take yourself too seriously. Because it is good to be able to laugh at yourself. Because it good to share the unglamorous side of blogging and the amount of terrible photos there are behind the ones that make the selection. Here are my blogging outtakes 2015 – the good, the bad and the downright weird. 
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
Wind – the bane of my life. 
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
When you don’t realise you’re shooting in front of a pigeon carcass…
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
Doing a funny dance…
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
Struggling to remove sunglasses that are tucked into my blouse…
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
Oh the struggles.
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
The unfortunate moment the captures my possessed side. 
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
I look like I’m having fun but it’s pretty weird. 
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
The catwoman in me takes over…
Funny outfit photos blogging outtakes 2015
Just totally distracted by the best photo-bomber EVER.

Parce que c’est bien de ne pas prendre soi-même au sérieux. Parce que c’est génial de pouvoir rigoler à soi-même. Parce que c’est bien de vous montrer la côté non-glamour de la vie d’une bloggeuse et les photos qui ne sont pas prises pour la vraie poste. Voilà mes chutes préférées de 2015 – les beaux, les moches et les super bizarres.

Izzie x




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