It’s been a while since my last post. As I welcome 2018 with a fresh and calmer outlook, I thought it would be good to provide a little insight to what’s been going on these last few months. I started posting on this blog in September 2017 with a view to slowly build it whilst working. Having spent almost all of my adult life in banking, I knew little of the work involved to create and curate consistent content – hats off to all you career bloggers!
From search engine optimisation methodologies, social media content creation, photo-editing and Instagram optimisation and growth… It all got a bit overwhelming. At the time, I was a full time contractor, commuting to Canary Wharf and trying to fit in daily workouts, cooking healthy nutritious meals, spending quality time with family, working on the blog and trying to keep up with the wider style blogging community on social media.
Eventually I just wanted to hide my phone under the sofa pillow.
So what have I been doing all this time? Well first off, here’s a bit about me: So, I do working in Banking. Well I’m a consultant/contractor working on risk, governance and regulatory related projects. I am very fortunate that I have been able to carve out my own career by moving from role to role depending on demand. My last role ended in mid-November and December to February is particularly quiet for contractors.
And I have literally been relishing this time off. Well, I fell ill for two weeks and decided I really needed to focus on myself, my family, my relationship, health, fitness, figure out my next career move and create content for this blog.
2017 ended with much needed cleanse of my home to clear out the space and get on with a long to-do list of everything I wanted to cross off by the end of January. In that time I:
– have found a personal trainer to take care of my fitness regime.
– have been attending dance aerobics to take care of the cardio.
– have been working my way though Deliciously Ella cook book.
– have let go of my phone and social media and taken a bit of a digital detox. (… Actually I did a lot of online sale shopping, but there were times when I went on Instagram… but only every few days… just to browse outfits)
– have started to look for a new job (well, since January 1st…)
But most importantly I have been working with photographers to create content so that I can continue with this blog consistently, even with the demands of searching for and (hopefully) starting a new job.
I have to say though, I have been revelling in my funemployment. Is that wrong to admit?!
Today’s Outfit:
With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this outfit as much as I enjoyed wearing it. One brand I have fallen for is & Other Stories. Although it’s been in the U.K. for a while, I didn’t particularly pay attention to this brand until I started to see my wardrobe was dominated by Zara! It was time to give the Scandi influence some airtime.
I found this tailored pair of burgundy print lounge-style trousers, which I thought would be a very unique addition to my work trouser collection, which is mainly compromised of black, grey and check tailoring with the odd cheap stretchy skinny pant (for those bloated days and that time-of-the-month comfort!).
I paired the trousers with a blue silk shirt and suede sock boot (both by & Other Stories), ruffle-sleeved knitwear (H&M) and topped it all off with this super thick and warm oversized grey wool coat, paying major homage to Scandi laidback loose-fit style. I felt so comfortable and relaxed as though I could move freely all day. Hopefully it will help me manage the stress when I do actually get back behind a desk!
I would never usually wear this colour combination of burgundy and baby blue, but I was inspired by my Mr. when he wears his dark grey suit, with blue shirt and burgundy tie. Inspiration has come from stranger places!
Overall a sensual yet smart look, and once it was on I didn’t have to think about it for the rest of the day… which is exactly what we want from professional style, right?
& Other Stories shirt, trousers, boots | H&M sweater | Topshop coat | Gucci bag | Jewellery – gifted
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