LIFE LATELY

It's not often I post personal blogs on here, but I'm becoming more and more aware that I'm letting my 'VOICE' slip away a little in the midst of sparse collection reviews and magazine editorials and the like. Don't get me wrong, I've never been one for A GREAT BIG COSY CHINWAG on FFS, and letting you guys in on the details of my boring THRILLING private life has never massively appealed (I'm an awkward orange in person too, and opening up in general can be an issue for a Cringemonster like me!) but neither do I want to lose touch with you guys, because I honestly consider y'all my actual pals. Really really! So, for a wee while I've been feeling like getting a bit more INTIMATE... Lucky you!

What's been happening? Well, loads.

Firstly, I got a new job. I mentioned it a few posts back and if you follow me on Twitter you'll probably know already since it seems I can't shut up about it! That's right, no longer a Subtitler, it's Communications Executive now! To be honest, I was really proud of myself for landing the position. I felt I'd floundered after my Undergrad and then again after my Postgrad and Masters. I did LOADS of work experience and internships in media, journalism, PR and communications along with lots of other random stuff (freelance filming, styling and events etc) off my own back. But despite my degrees and experience, applying frantically for any and all relevant jobs proved fruitless for over a year - a depressingly familiar story to loads of you I'm sure.

*sadface*

Anyway, I feel very fortunate to have been given a chance to do what I love (communicating, yo) for a company that's recently been bought by a huge international brand, and where I'll get the chance to test myself and stretch my legs properly. Staying stagnant does NOT sit well with me and I'd much rather be thrown in at the deep end, albeit a little out of my depth, and have to work extra hard to get up to speed, than coast along in a job which was going nowhere and doing nothing for me or my career.

The last couple of weeks have been spent preparing for starting i.e. buying a whole new working wardrobe, OBVIOUSLY, trying to find my way in the car (it's a wee bit outside Glasgow, although I can do it in under half an hour if I beast it) and settling in. Learning the ropes at a new job can be totes overwhelming, and for the first few days I didn't remember anyone's name, let alone get to grips with what I'd actually be doing day to day!

Thankfully I feel like it's all beginning to come together now and after a wee business trip this week, hopefully I'll start to feel more confident in my own abilities in the role. As my first proper PROPER job after uni, I think it would be unusual NOT to feel a bit anxious that it'll all work out... RIGHT?! Honestly though, everyone in my team and beyond has been so lovely and welcoming, I'm not sure I could ask for more. GROSS, RIGHT?!!

Aside from all this, I've been doing the usual - hanging out with my awesome pals, who've had a couple of occasions over the last few months to prove their worth in shitty situations and have MORE than stepped up to the mark. Totally cliche and BOKE but I don't know what I'd do without them and that's the truth.

Without wanting to sound like a PURE CHEESEBALL, things have been a bit up and down in other areas (use your imagination!) but I'm finally in a happy situation. It's been a bit of a struggle, but I'm genuinely trying hard to let myself trust and accept the things I'm told, let go of some of my hang-ups and just have fun. I'm also learning about when to go with my gut, compromise and what's worth it and what totally isn't. I'd like to be less vague but basically, although it's been a bumpy road, I'm really happy just now :) VOM!

I've been staying at a family friend's flat for the past few weeks looking after her adorable kittens while she's away on business, and it's TOTALLY given me the bug for living alone. I'm an only child with a small family so I've come to cherish my privacy and solitude. At home, although we usually eat dinner together, we all have our own space and I genuinely enjoy my own company (WEIRD?). I know there's OODLES of fun to be had in living with flatmates and I guess I'm a bit bummed I've missed out on that experience, but to be honest the thought of having my own place to come and go as I please and make my own really excites me. It's kind of my dream!

So yeah, buying my own place is my number one goal for this year. I’m about two thirds of the way there, which is terrifying and exciting in equal measure, but fingers crossed I'll be in my very own home by autumn – can’t even believe I’m saying that! Other goals for this year are to stay happy, NOT CRASH MY CAR (one accident a year since I passed my test is NOT a trend I want to continue), and generally KICK ASS in work.

Sorry this has been such a rambly  mess of a post but I know I like it when my favourite bloggers do a wee life update now and again (cos I'm pure nosy) and I like to feel like we're all pals here :)

Finshing with a few Instagram photatoes of life lately...

1. Royal Exchange Sq for a wee Crimbo night

2. Best suit jacket in the world from Zara - leather sleeves yo!

3. I went swimming a few times last month and loved it. MUST get back into it!

4. Should I buy this bowler hat from Topshop? #hairyhatman

5. Pasta with pals

6. Boozin with pals

7. Polka dots at work

8. Origins Out of Trouble mask - still my fave

9. Tasty caprese salad at a work dinner in town

10. Awesome Sunday morning scran

11. Tuesday treat at a pal's house where I've been staying looking after her kittens

12 . Nancy, said Kitten x1

13. Chilling with a kitten

14. More kitten love. Maybe a bit obsessed...

15. Trip down to Shropshire with work on one of the most horrific days ever!

16. Bed at the lovely Goldstone Inn near Market Drayton

 

17. A bit drunk after a three courser and two bottles of red...

18. Stunning sunrise