What Elles Did Next...

"Make the first move, tell people how you feel, stop being so scared of rejection, stop feeling so engulfed with thoughts that aren’t even yours, and stop wasting your fucking time."

So as many of you know I quit my job nearly two months ago because I was really unhappy and borderline depressed. I thought once I quit, everything would fall into place, I would get a job pretty easily due to my many years of experience, I'd be significantly happier AND I'd be super excited for my LA adventure.

This couldn't be further from my current reality. Currently unemployed, I have been messed around by many agencies and companies and managed to only lock down 2 and half weeks of full work since the end of September. It's so hard in the 'real world'. I feel like it's even harder to get a job in London considering how busy it is. You're competing against women with degree's, confidence and even more experience than you. And to be completely honest it's hard for it not to affect you.

However, after my most recent setback by a popular brand that shall not be named. I can confidently say I have been through every single emotion possible. Then it hit me, why not channel all those emotions and write them down. Closure if you will, so if any of you out there are struggling with a career choice, can't find a job or are just genuinely unhappy with the way life is treating you, here are my tips on how to get over being fucked over!



CRY
I bet you felt really confident when you got out of that interview didn't you? I bet when they rejected you, they said "We loved you, we really did. Unfortunately, the role just happened to get filled internally..." It's shit, you feel deflated. I suggest you just go home and cry it out. Not many people get it, they'll say "It's just ONE interview, you'll get another..." But it's not the point because in that moment you really thought you nailed it and if anything you feel like you've let yourself down. You haven't, it happens to a lot of people, but for right now I won't tell you that, I'll let you have your moment, I'll let you cry and tomorrow is a new day...

UTILISE YOUR HOBBY
So you're in a bad place. Not fun, but I'll tell you what helped me perk up a little bit. I wrote this blogpost. If you're into blogging, write about your shit experiences, if you're not, turn to your hobby. Turn to the one thing that makes you feel a little bit better, whether it be taking time out to read the book you've had on your shelf for 6 months, pick your camera up again and take some cool photos. Just try and get out of this mini distressed state because it doesn't make any situation better...

TALK ABOUT IT
Real friends listen to real shitty situations. Tell them every detail, explain how fucked over you feel about things. Tell them it feels like the end of the world, tell them you need a shoulder to cry on. You'll be surprised at how many of them actually sympathize with you and do a lot of things to make you feel better. Bottling up every emotion inside is the one thing I wouldn't recommend you do. You'll be a ticking time bomb and I guarantee you'll explode on the wrong person. #MoreDrama

DO NOT GIVE UP
Take if from someone who knows. I was categorically fucked over on Tuesday, I thought I had found a full-time position in a field I was passionate about. Long story short, shit hit the fan and I was back at square one. I needed a whole day to recover from the low blow. Recovery meaning: Not leaving my room till 4pm, having another cry and eventually getting dressed. However Thursday rolled around and I woke up, (at a reasonable time at last), opened my laptop and jumped back on the job hunt. I received another TWO rejections that day. So I can safely say Yes, it's been a fucking great week!! However, rejection is a part of life, isn't it? As bad as it feels at the moment, we have to get over it and rise above.

I think I've practically managed the art of getting fucked over. It won't be the last time it happens, however, I've now cleverly devised a plan that will get me out of my 'funk' a lil bit quicker than normal...time will tell.

Love Elle 
x

I've always said it's important to make time for friends, to make time to travel and to make time to create memories. I've always been pretty sentimental when it comes to things like that. I never want to be "that friend" who lets people down. Over the years I've learnt a lot about myself and the company I keep around me. I can be the first to admit that years ago I wasn't the greatest friend - that's me just being honest. I was caught up in myself and my own insecurities that I missed out on a lot. However, instead of dwelling on the past, at 20 nearing 21, I can confidently say that I'm a good friend. I've finally found a good balance between having weekends to myself and making time for going out with my friends and drinking a little too much. 

Balance is important. We try to balance a lot of things in our everyday life, from work to boyfriends to family, everything requires some form of balance. And yeah, we sometimes don't always get it right. We upset people, we get angry at them and I guess that a part of forming a friendship with someone. They don't always get it right and neither do you. 

I'm a big fan of hight street makeup brands. As much as an I love treating myself to the occasional NARS foundation, I believe high street is the way forward. 

L'Oreal has been a brand I've grown up with. I feel like it's always been around. I remember being little and thinking that if you wore L'Oreal lipstick you were a classy, well-put-together woman. I aspired to be "the L'Oreal girl". Fast forward to now, Ellie at 20 (still wants to be "that girl"), uses L'Oreal products and LOVES THEM!

These products are a must-have in my beauty collection.

L'Oreal Paris Collection Exclusive Eva Lipsticks in Shade "Eva" & "Eva Longoria" L'Oreal Infallible Matte Power  L'Oreal Glow Face Mask The Glow Mask has become a necessity for me now. Whenever my skin feels dull and lifeless I pop this on my face and I notice a difference almost instantly. It's cheap and effective and I highly recommend it to anyone on a budget. I will purchase this face mask again and again without fail! The Matte Power has amazing coverage! If you had flaw-free skin I would say just wear this, however, I am not blessed in the flawless department so I use this to set my foundation. I only use it in places that I get shiny as I still want to have that natural look about me. (And I'm not a makeup artist, knowing my luck I'd look like a complete CLOWN!) I love the Nude colour. It's a perfect "Everyday" lipstick that you can wear to work and not look too dressed up. It matches well with my skin tone and nearly matches the colour of my actual lips which is nice as it just enhances my lips and pulls my makeup together. Not everyone is a fan of a bold lip so I would recommend this to anyone who wants to keep it natural. Now, I'm not normally the kind of girl to wear a Red lip, as in all honesty, I get a bit self conscious that it looks rubbish and tacky. However, I took the plunge and tried it. I think this colour is perfect for Autumn/Winter and for a night out with the girls. A Red lip always seems quite festive to me, so maybe I'll recreate this look around Christmas time...which scarily, isn't that far away...Ho Ho Hoooooow many days?! I hope you enjoyed this post, if you've tried out some L'Oreal products, let me know below! Love Elle  x <a href="https://www.bloglovin.com/blog/18296137/?claim=erbbz55hauw">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

It's the trend that never went out of fashion. A classic t-shirt has always been a staple in our wardrobes, however, London Fashion Week saw a storm of women wear a "band t-shirt/graphic tee" better than ever!

Henry Holland's SS17 Fashion had me inspired. I love his collection of graphic t-shirts, slogans like "I don't smoke weed, I'd rather suck on Gigi Hadid" or my personal favourite "I'm yours for a tenner Kendall Jenner". They look so cool and easy to style as well as being provocative in their own way. 

I went to ZARA today and picked up an outfit that was inspired by the "band tee" phase. It's now acceptable to "dress up" a t-shirt and for it to be considered "stylish". THANK GOD! I have been an advocate for casual attire for years!

This is the kind of outfit I think I'll be constantly wearing this autumn. The tee from ZARA was only £7.99!! Complete bargain! I certainly will be on the lookout for some more cool band tees from now on! It's an effortless and affordable look that I think will look good on anyone no matter your size, as you can already see, I'm clearly not a size 6!

Examples of t-shirts you can get your hands on :) 

Henry Holland Graphic Tee - Gigi Hadid

Henry Holland Graphic Tee - Kendall Jenner 

My Zara Tee

ZARA Jeans #1

ZARA Jeans #2

Oasis - Shoes

Alternative - Shoes // Shoes

Bra Alternatives - #1 // #2

Love Elle 

x

Here is a collection of songs I've been loving lately and thought you might enjoy too. It's a very mixed bag, I know. From One Direction to J.Cole, my taste is varied. But I love them all the same :)

Somebody Else - The 1975

Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur

Cruel - Snakehips Ft. Zayn

Concrete - Tom Odell

Wet Dreamz - J.Cole

False Alarm - Becky Hill

Kids - OneRepublic

Cornerstone - Arctic Monkeys

A.M. - One Direction

Starboy - The Weeknd

Super Rich Kids - Frank Ocean

Picture Source - Urban Outfitters

Come and follow me on Spotify, I update my playlists ALL THE TIME! https://play.spotify.com/user/1157228347 

I have Spotify Premium and I seriously recommend it if you love music. I love making playlists and love being able to listen to everything when I'm travelling. It doesn't use up your internet data, (which is PERFECT!), and you can manage all your favourite music from your phone! Bonus, if you're a student, you can get premium for £4.99 a month. (This isn't sponsored, I'm just helping you gals out!) x

Love Elle 

x

"Three words, eight letters, say it and I'm yours..." Oh please Chuck just save us all the heartache and tell her you love her!

Gossip Girl has been a part of my life on and off since I was 12. I remember watching it for the first time and being transfixed by the glitz and the glamour of Manhattan's elite, the high fashion and how the show was basically a love letter to New York City. I think that's why I've always wanted to visit NYC, Gossip Girl made the appeal to travel there stronger. 

Here are my top favourite things about Gossip Girl:

The Characters;

I loved how complex the characters were. How everyone had their own story and how we as viewers were able to relate to them. I could see myself in Blair, a girl who everyone believed had her life together but had her own personal insecurities. Jenny, who tried so desperately to fit in but ended up being way cooler just being herself, (even though that was a journey that lasted a life time!) And even Serena, who was so complicated but had her friends around her to keep her grounded.

I have to say it, Chuck Bass is one of the best characters in TV ever. That tone of voice, his fashion sense, his confidence and of course his unconditional love for Blair. No matter how many times I watch the show I'm in awe of his character. Every time he says "I'm Chuck Bass..." I cannot help but swooooooon! I feel like I'm 15 again! Why didn't any boys I go to school with have that Chuck Bass charm? I'm still gutted...

The Fashion;

From cocktail parties, brunches and birthday's Gossip Girl made everyone look glamorous! Everyone just looked so good always! I watched a behind the scenes episode about the fashion on the show a while back, (superfan status!) and it was so interesting to hear about how designers were cuing at the door wanting to dress the characters. I mean even Vera Wang herself made an appearance in the show! That's a huge deal! She even designed Blair's wedding dress in the 100th Episode of the show.

Every outfit that Blake Lively (Serena) wore on the show was amazing. She quickly became a style icon for me and I'm a genuine fan of her outside of the show now. Her KILLER figure makes everything she wears look stunning and effortless. I think any girl who watched the show wanted to be her just a little bit...I know I did, and still kind of do...damn her girl beach waves and long legs!

Late last year I decided I wanted to take a trip to LA when I turned 21. Until about 5 months ago I assumed that trip would last a maximum of 2 weeks and that I would have beg some of my friends to come with me.

Source: Pinterest

I finally found the courage to press send...weeks of internal debate, weighing up the pros and cons. I have just handed in my resignation. No future job in place, no source of steady income, yet I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.

This is going to sound really strange, but I was leaving V Festival two weekends ago and passed the stage Kaiser Chiefs were performing on. Ricky, the lead singer, was in the middle of a speech and said "If you're not happy, GET HAPPY!" It's almost as if that statement validated my decision to just get out of my funk I've been in for the past 6 months....It sounds so silly, of course you can't just trick your brain into "being happy", but you certainly can take small steps to happiness.

I've decided to pursue a career, start from the bottom and work my way up. The job I was doing was convenient at the time, it gave me the freedom to go places, experience the world and what it has to offer. I would go on mini trips and return to a dead end. Quite honestly, it was depressing coming back to work and living in the "real world"...Then I thought, "fuck it!". I'm twenty, why the hell am I settling for this?! I want to travel, I want a career, I want to LIVE! I don't want to be having "serious" meetings about Stationery usage...yes, really...

So that's what I've decided to do. Not everyone around me is supportive of this decision and I understand that, but if I carried on doing that same crap job I'm pretty convinced I was one breakdown away to a complete melt down! 

This change in my life seems perfectly timed. Summer is over, (did it really begin?), Autumn is approaching which is the epitome of new beginnings. I feel happiest in the autumnal months, in the words of Fitzgerald: "Life starts all over when the leaves get crisp in the fall..."

I feel optimistic, if all fails I'll know that my decision felt right at the time and that it's only up from here.

Elle x

Being a self-confessed bargain queen, I hit the high street to find reasonable priced products that look and feel amazing.

The makeup brand "Sleek" have the most amazing matte lipstick collection and I stumbled upon these by accident. They are super affordable and look pretty good! Sleek is a brand that isn't that well known, in comparison to high street brands like L'Oreal or Rimmel, however is doesn't mean they're not as good. I swatched a lot of different mattes in Superdrug and Sleek impressed me the most. The product is really pigmented and drys super quick, which I really appreciated!

I thought it would be an idea to swatch each product that I have bought on my hand and then show you what they look like on my lips;