Monday 27 July 2015

Mornings


Some people simply hear the word morning and cannot function. For me, sunrise is a time to get inspired, eat a delicious breakfast and get s*** done. I never had trouble getting out of bed as a teenager. I would only occasionally moan about getting up early if I was struggling to sleep (need to get those 8 hours!). In my last flat, when it was too cold to shower until about midday, my mornings weren't so productive as I was more occupied trying to thaw out my body. Student living at it's finest. 

Now I'm moved into a new flat, things are looking up and so are my mornings. Since turning vegan and my energy levels have shot up, there is no need for coffee as my pick me up. Decaf please! Which is great news for me as caffeine does shake me up a bit. As an anxious person, knowing I have plans or appointments in the afternoon usually results in me constantly looking at the clock and puts me off making plans for the rest of the day. Weird, I know. On the other hand morning plans leave me in a productive mood for the rest of the day. Maybe 7:30am starts aren't so bad after all?

Morning Favourites:

  • Sunrise - generally this is more of a winter thing. Either that or I was wild enough to stay up all night
  • Breakfast - without doubt porridge and a banana
  • That first cup of tea
  • Writing lists - anyone else obsessed? I once started writing ideas for a menu of my dream cafe...
  • Exercising - I'm not talking as soon as I jump out of bed but I like to get it over and done with!
  • Scrolling through Instagram
  • Dancing to music (shockingly) whilst getting ready

Monday 20 July 2015

Flat Sweet Flat | Homeware Haul


From a cave-like student flat to what feels like a gleaming palace, I am now settled into my new flat. The word settled meaning finally having internet. I had to spend a good few weeks waiting for it to be installed and oh boy, I did not realise how much I rely on it. Instagram, Facebook and Twitter was accessible through my phone but blogger was a big no. At least it gave me time to think about what I really want to do with my blog and upcoming posts.

A new flat means serious homeware shopping. Anyone else get more excited about homeware shopping than clothes shopping? I bought this very instagramable jar and straw from a country chic shop in Cornwall whilst visiting family. Perfect for juices, iced coffee or simply water. I find them much more satisfying to drink out of, guilty pleasure! 


Next have a beautiful range of bedding and in the end I decided on a grey, white and yellow colour scheme. Different from my usual pink and white but I really love it. Fresh and bright with cushions (also from Next) and a grey throw to make it feel cosy.


The fireplace in my room is my favourite part of the flat. It will probably get changed a billion times but I'm really happy with the way it looks at the moment. The plants are from IKEA along with the white lantern and pots. I love having snippets of inspiration lying around to brighten up my day so I bought the postcards from Paperchase. My favourite is "the world is your oyster". A great morning pick me up!


Little side note: I am starting a YouTube channel very soon all about healthy eating and my vegan lifestyle so look out for links and videos!

Monday 8 June 2015

Dealing with Anxiety | My Top Tips


Anxiety isn't easy. Actually, it is anything but easy. It can be overwhelming, unexpected and challenging to deal with. I'm not just talking about the butterflies you get before an exam or first date nerves. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems in the UK. In recent years I have noticed more and more people speak about it openly, and being a sufferer of anxiety myself, I know how helpful it can be reading about how others deal with their experiences. It has taken me years understand my anxiety and accept it. Not everyone is the same and different techniques work better for some than others. These are tips that have been given to me over the years or I have tried and tested myself. 

Limit worries 
Learn to stop worrying about the things you have zero control over. These worries are an unnecessary burden to add to your anxiety. This isn't always easy, I'm a natural worrier myself, but it does help a lot. In my past, dealing with family illnesses was the hardest because as much as I wanted to take control there was absolutely nothing I could do but support family members and tell myself what will be will be. Even now that saying makes me shiver but unfortunately it is very true.

Defeat the fear of the unknown
"Yes". Saying this word can be scary. It can be so easy to stay in bed, skip lectures, miss social gatherings or amazing opportunities that come your way. Why is this? Because it can be scary trying something new, the unknown. However, wipe away those negative thoughts. Immediately. Now think to yourself how amazing it could be. How every tiny experience can shape you as a person and ultimately push you into new directions. I find the more I do something, the less scary it becomes. If you have a bad experience, remember you are allowed to have those. Avoid what causes unbearable anxiety and start with the smaller challenges. Work your way up and defeat them one at a time. All you need is the initial push and the only one who can do that is you.

Bye bye baddies
Caffeine, sugar and alcohol can intensify the feeling of anxiety. Instead of cutting them out of your diet, try to reduce your consumption of these during anxious periods. Caffeine is good during exams for those early morning study sessions but not to the extent you are a full blown trembling wreck. Keeping sugar levels steady is important. Massive fluctuations can put me on a bit of a roller-coaster ride. 4pm slump anyone? No thanks. Lastly, alcohol. Hahaha, this little culprit. Sometimes alcohol can actually help with my anxiety and takes the edge off social situations. Though, it really is Russian roulette, and can occasionally heighten any underlying feelings of anxiety. My main tip is to be careful and aware of how these can affect you when you are anxious and limit them when you can. 

  
Get some zzz's 
Sleep really does help me have a clear mind. If I'm tired I struggle with motivation a lot, which then leads to heightened anxiety as I feel I'm not working to the best of my ability. Also getting into a routine, especially over exams or a stressful period, can help with getting quality sleep.

Walk, Run, Whatever gets you moving 
Yes the dreaded exercise tip. For those of you who do not go to the gym, don't worry. Even a walk on a nice day, going for a swim can boost your mood or some super easy yoga. It really is true what they say, exercise makes you feel better mentally and can boost confidence as well.
 

Self help books
Usually hard to find, but a good self help book can come in handy. This is more for day to day anxiety and keeping a good mindset. My recent favourite is Flip It. It has allowed me to think of situations when I normally get anxious and open my mind up to alternative thought tracks. A very worthy purchase.

Sometimes anxiety can be very unexpected so applying these tips in moments like this can be a challenge. Training yourself to gradually become more aware of your mood slipping into an anxious state is the first step to controlling it. I am continuously learning about what triggers my anxiety attacks and what methods are best for coping with them. I have come to realise that anxiety doesn't just disappear, it only gets easier to deal with. This happens over time and it is a learning journey. Don't let it defeat you and stay strong!

Do you have any tips?

Wednesday 3 June 2015

Spicy Aubergine Burgers and Rustic Chips | Going Vegan?

No oil, no dairy and no meat. I have been loving vegan meals lately. Filling, colourful and packed with flavour, this plate is a great alternative to your typical beef burger and fried chips. Vegetarian and vegan meals really should not be scary! They give me more energy and don't leave me feeling sluggish. I was going through a period of crash dieting and then trying to eat "healthy" but really I wasn't providing myself with enough nutrients and was severely lacking plant-based energy sources. Since reading blog after blog, watching hours of YouTube videos and Instagram stalking vegan foodies, I feel a lot more educated about the plant based way of life.

When I told my parents I wanted to make my own meal instead of having a curry they were a little taken aback. I don't blame them, I love food and curry is a favourite of mine, but it was the additional comments that got to me. "She's just going through a phase" or "Where will you get your protein" are a few examples.Something has changed about my outlook on food and I believe it started when I watched some vegan documentaries and talks on the internet just over a month ago. Since then, the thought of meat makes me feel sick and I feel no need what-so-ever to consume dairy. Especially when there are so many alternatives out there!

My new outlook is this:
100% vegetarian
95% vegan

For now I will cook vegan at home and limit dairy as much as possible when eating out. More on this to come in later posts! Now lets talk about how to put together this scrummy meal...

The Very Simple Ingredients
(which can be changed up depending on what you like) 
Potatoes
Aubergine
Spinach
Tomatoes
Bread Roll
Houmous 
Spicy Pepper Sauce
Guacamole, Mango Chutney and Spicy Lime Pickle (for dipping)
Cumin
Smoked Paprika
Garlic Powder

Easy Peasy Steps
  1. Cut the potatoes into wedge shaped slices (similar sized) and put on a tray with tin foil or baking paper. Dust these with some cumin and paprika (optionally salt as well), then place in the oven at 200 degrees. 
  2. Cut the aubergine into the thickness you want and place on a separate tray (I usually do more than one to fill out the bun). Add some salt and garlic powder.
  3. Once the chips are starting to brown take them out, mix them around and put them back in the oven. Time to put the aubergine in the oven! (turning it down to 180 degrees at this point)
  4. The aubergine is cooked best when you can put a fork through it pretty easily. Make sure whilst the last bits are cooking to prep your bread roll with houmous and sauce, slice you tomatoes and collect any dips for your chips!
  5. The chips usually take about 40 minutes depending on the size but test them to double check. Simply put the baked aubergine in the roll, add the spinach and tomato and there you have it!
Get creative with this and put your own spin on it. I always change it up a little when I do this meal for myself. Great if you have veggies that need to be eaten up!

What is your easy go to meal? 

Sunday 24 May 2015

Comforting Sunday Oats


Ahhh, Sunday. Finally my exams are over and Sundays can be enjoyed again. This weekend I am at home and the cupboards are full of wonderful breakfast toppings. Today I decided to have some oats with warmed Oatly milk, banana, blueberries, walnuts and a drizzle of maple syrup. Delicious!

Sunday 17 May 2015

Inspiration From the Wonderful World of Pinterest | Latest Pins

With university exams sucking every little motivation from my body, Pinterest is there to keep me inspired when I need it. The general theme of my pinterest boards and tumblr reblogs at the moment is mainly based around summer fashion, vegetarian foods, yoga and beautiful bedrooms.

Fashion
Kimono's are basically fashionable blankets and I love them. Instead of taking a jacket to a club, they are great to keep you warm in the queue whilst still rocking your outfit. Yes please. I am also on the hunt for an over-sized denim jacket. This calls for a major charity shop raid.

Food

Mouth watering right? Pinterest is my main source of food inspo and I have been loving vegan and vegetarian choices lately. I'm actually considering going full on vegetarian because I'm not a big meat eater anyway and I usually prefer meat alternatives. I want to master chickpea burgers and curries, create an Instagram worthy salad  like the one above and get my baking game on!
Yoga 
  
My goal this summer is to regain my flexibility. Since I stopped doing cheerleading last year, I haven't kept up with stretching and I regret doing so. I have already found some YouTube channels I love and when I move into my new flat, my yoga mission will be in full swing. I'll keep you updated.

Bedrooms

The idea of having a blank canvas bedroom to decorate is making me so excited! The fairy lights around the big mirror is a must, though I'm not quite sure on what colours to go for yet. One thing I do know is that it will be cosy with lots of candles. I am tempted to get a clothing rail like the one above to put my favourite dresses on but it might take up too much room. Hmmm, decisions!

Pinterest

Wednesday 15 April 2015

Festival Fashion | Topshop


Festival Store at Topshop.com

Unless you have been avoiding your Instagram account for the past few days, it is likely you will have been bombarded with Coachella photos. Whilst I sat indoors for most of the weekend observing the rainy Scottish weather, I was inspired by the festival fashion that was plastered all over my news feed. I took to the online world of shopping to gather up a wishlist for my summer wardrobe. My first and only stop was Topshop. I just couldn't peel myself away from the festival collection so I will definitely be making use of my student discount...

The mac raincoat is a must when living in the UK and I love the fact that this one is see through so you can still show off your outfit without covering up. Perfecto! My ideal outfit would involve fringing or crochet with high waisted shorts and a crap load of jewellery, topped off with my favourite sunglasses.

What are your festival staples?

Sunday 22 March 2015

Goodbye Winter Coat, Hello Spring.


1 2 3

Today I hung up and said goodbye to my cosy Topshop winter coat for the next 6 months and started the hunt for a new spring jacket. I fell in love with these coats as I was browsing online and turns out they are all neutral colours, very unlike me! I am definitely going to splash out on a trench coat at some point as they are such a classic wardrobe must. I have also found a new love of long waistcoats. Looks like I'm going to have to start saving!

Friday 13 March 2015

Plot twist? Just roll with it

Source
 
For all of you control freaks out there like me who hate things changing all of a sudden and not going to plan, here's a quote that might change your outlook. Plot twists in films and TV shows are there to make things more interesting, right? They take a story in a whole new direction that is unexpected and sometimes brilliant. Try and alter your perspective on life and instead of fixating your mind on one path, be open to the new and possibly way more exciting paths in your life. It may not seem like anything is going right and that life is against you for the time being, but keeping a positive and light hearted attitude might just save you from a spiral of negativity.

Thursday 12 March 2015

Healthy and Happy You




"On an airplane, you are always told to put on your own oxygen mask first. The same way in life, you need to take care of your health first. If you are not happy and healthy, you cannot make anyone else happy and healthy."  --Rajashree Choudhury

We have one life, one body and one mind to look after. I have been through some struggles, including binge eating when emotionally drained or stressed, low self esteem and my anxiety. Since the end of my first year at university I have educated myself on healthy eating and exercise, but more recently that has developed into a bigger interest of a healthy and happy mindset. And boy am I still learning!

Looking back I have come a long way. I always looked for quick fixes when trying to lose weight and I put so much pressure on myself about the silliest, smallest things. In the past few months something clicked. It's as if my mind just opened up to a whole new world and the words HEALTHY AND HAPPY stuck in my head. Screw the fad diets and feeling like crap because I ate 1300 calories in a day instead of 1200. It dawned on me how draining this mindset was.


Why waste your life worrying about those extra 100 calories and getting stressed over the fact I might not lose 3 pounds in a week. Look after yourself, be happy and make LIFESTYLE changes. Believe me, some days it can be hard, but in the long run you will be so thankful and happy you kept going.

Yes pizza and Ben and Jerry's makes me happy in the short term, but I have grown a greater appreciation for the happiness which comes from taking care of my health and fueling my body with foods that energise me. Waking up with a positive attitude and making the most of every day is so important. If I begin to feel down now, instead of reaching for chocolate, I will go on Pinterest to find motivational quotes which will instantly inspire me to snap out of any negative mindset. 

This is only a fraction of what I could say in this post. I hope that this has enlightened some people and this is definitely the first of many healthy and happy style posts to come. If you want to get regular updates on my healthy eating and exercise then please check out my instagram account @thechocoholicstudent .  I warn you I am slightly obsessed with porridge and bananas...
 


Friday 6 March 2015

Motel Rocks Cigarette Trousers | Fashion Favourites


Cigarette trousers are my new love. I bought some in the Topshop sale a month ago and I want to wear them all the time! I would dress them up with heels to go for drinks or even dressed down with flats on those days I fancy feeling a bit more sophisticated. Definitely a stylish alternative to jeans!

Motel Rocks have a great selection of cigarette trousers, ranging from basic black to quirky floral patterns. I can't wait to expand my collection and I am going to have to stop myself from buying all of them!

Love, M.



Sunday 1 March 2015

Sundays at Home


Being a student, Sundays aren't all that. They are often spent hungover and catching up on deadlines which have been put off during the week. I decided to take a trip home and today could not have been more perfect. No hangover and no piles of uni work, just a simple relaxing Sunday.

Here is a little list of the things I have appreciated at home today:

Waking up to the smell of fresh coffee
Nutella on toast
Sunday Brunch on TV
Reading cookbooks
Panini's
Walks in the countryside
Hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows
Sunday roast dinner
Glass of wine
Being with family

Love, M.

Friday 27 February 2015

Perfect DIY Gifts | Pinterest Inspiration

I go through phases when I frantically pin almost everything on the internet and recently I have been obsessed. From my dream cafe menu to organisation tips, my Pinterest boards are filling up and I just can't stop. A recent board I have created is dedicated to gift ideas. If I am honest, I am not the best at thinking up original Christmas present ideas and even getting birthday gifts for my best friends can be a struggle. Hopefully Pinterest will give me a little nudge in the right direction and I will soon be a DIY gift goddess *fingers crossed*.

Here are some really cute and original ideas which can be altered to fit different occasions. Maybe even Mother's Day if you are lacking inspiration!


Image Sources 1 2 3 4 5 6
 Check out these links to find out more. None of these are my ideas just simply my inspirations!

Love, M.