What Elles Did Next...

I LIKE MY MONEY RIGHT WHERE I CAN SEE IT, IN MY CLOSET - 

CARRIE BRADSHAW

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas! Mine was very relaxed, ate too much and drank just enough! Now the madness of Christmas is over, I thought I'd get back into writing and post a little outfit blog for you all. Boxing Day sales are massive over here in the UK, but instead of stressing myself out, I hit the sales online. Because let's face it, sipping Prosecco in your PJ's while buying presents for yourself is so much more appealing then people shoving and standing in never ending queue. ZARA always do amazing sales, especially on Boxing Day. I purchased a few items and thought I'd put an outfit together for my blog. 

"CONFIDENCE LEVEL: 

SELFIE WITH NO FILTER" - UNKNOWN

That's the goal isn't it, to feel confident enough to leave the house and not feel self-conscious about your skin? I'm not there yet, but I can leave the house without foundation to pop to the shops, yes I know, it's a revelation! My skin is very sensitive, I get burnt easily in the sun, go red in cold weather and break out heavily when it's my time of the month. (You know what I mean girls!)

My skin has quite a bit of scarring though and this is due to going on the pill when I was 17. Completely ruined my life. I never got spots before then, I hardly wore makeup either so it was a win-win back in the day. However, the pill made my skin develop terrible acne and it's never been the same since. Scarring is so annoying because it looks like my skin is really spotty but it's not and all I want it healthy looking skin, a bit depressing really...

These days, I have just learned to accept that my skin will never be perfect. I have a simple skincare routine that I've recently grown to love and it works well with my sensitive skin and thought I would share the products I use with you today. I'm clearly not a skincare expert, but this is what I find works for me. So if you have sensitive skin, you could well benefit from this post. (:

I have always loved taken photos. Whether it's taking photos of my friends or the scenery around me I just can't help but try to capture every moment.

In the new digital age, social media has played a bit part in helping my passion grow and develop, sites like Instagram and Tumblr being my main source of inspiration. One day I thought to myself, why not try and make my hobby a "thing". Why not offer to take photographs for people who need them for their personal use? ie, for their blogs or small business'? I've decided to try this venture and really put my heart and soul into it.

If you're someone maybe starting out blogging or running a business and want some professional type photographs then please feel free to get in touch with me! I can tell you, hand on my heart that my rates will not be hundreds of pounds because 1) Who do I think I am? 2) I'm looking for start-up clients and understand that their budgets aren't massive!

I am willing to do the following with my Canon Powershot Camera:

- Outside shoots (Eg, outfit shoots for blogs location fully negotiable in the London area, or scenic shots)

- Portrait shoots (Eg, maybe for someone specialising in makeup, or modeling)

- Small events (A social event that you would like documented, a party, small get together)

- I am also more than happy to do some "behind the scenes" shots if that's something you might require.

We can discuss what you would require and if you would like any of the images edited slightly, or I can just send the originals over to you for you to get creative with. It's all on your terms, I'm trying to be as flexible as possible so you are happy with the end results!

If you have any other preferences, I am open to talk so please feel free to send me an email. 

whatellesdidnext@gmail.com 

I suppose all that's left is to show you some samples of my work...enjoy!

At the beginning of the year, I began to feel more anxious than ever. I had no idea where it came from and why I was feeling like that but I knew I had to do something about it. I love to read, so I thought the best option was to find a book about Anxiety to see if I could understand it a bit more.

I came across "Reasons to stay alive" by Matt Haig after reading a lot of reviews. It's essentially his account of his experience with anxiety and depression after suffering a breakdown in his early 20's. When I would pull this book out in public or around people I knew, I got the exact same reaction each time. "Wow, that sounds depressing, read something more uplifting!" While I get that the title is a little daunting, the text inside is anything but.

Yes, it's not an easy read, but it's informative, heartfelt and quite frankly I did feel like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders once I finished reading it. Matt lets you into his life. He doesn't sugar coat anything, he tells you of a time when he nearly committed suicide, when he felt so anxious he couldn't go to his local shop, when he felt like he let his family down. You really feel his pain. 

What I really love about this book is that it gives you hope. I honestly nearly cried when I read that he married and had children. He overcame whatever he thought was going to kill him. A lot of chapters are lists of triggers, helpful advice and all around good information to know if you are someone who suffers from a mental illness. Matt incorporates a lot of inspiring quotes throughout the book as well which I enjoyed reading as I am a SUCKER for a good quote.

What I found also really interesting and important about this book was the small chapter on "famous people". Depression is a taboo subject as we are all aware of, but Matt listed all the celebrities he researched that have said they have suffered from depression. I think it's important to remember that "celebrities" are real people and go through "real shit" too.  Here is an extract from the chapter, pg,160 

"Sometimes just looking at names of people who have suffered depression - or are still suffering depression - but who clearly have (or had) other things that are great going on in their lives, gives a kind of comfort..."

This book isn't just aimed at people who suffer from mental health issues. I think this book is the perfect place to start if you are interested in mental health or know of someone who is suffering. It certainly changed my outlook on certain situations. Although my anxiety is nowhere near as bad as Matt's, I understood him, I empathised with him and I'm glad this book came into my life at the right time.

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

Today I thought I'd do my makeup properly and show you that you don't have to be a makeup artist to look "well put together". All you need is a good coverage foundation and good lighting!

Makeup is fun for me, I try not to take it too seriously. I love lipsticks, (liquid ones at the minute), and love the minimal vibe. This look that I've created today is a bit different for me as I wouldn't normally wear a bold lip like this unless it was a special occasion or unless I was going on a night out. My everyday lip is either a classic nude colour or I use tinted vaseline. It's fun to experiment and think I should step out of my comfort zone a bit more sometimes. 

I wore this beautiful silk shirt from ASOS and I think it made my makeup look a bit more romantic and gave off a "date night vibe". The matte, bold lip really brings the outfit and face together as I made sure the rest of the products I used weren't heavy, instead I wanted a dewy base and strong lip.

Let me know if you guys like this kind of post as it's something different. I'm not a beauty guru but I do enjoy buying makeup and this post was really fun to shoot and style.

I will list the products I have used below and you can check them out if you want to buy them too :)

Love Elle 

x

Us bloggers love designer fashion, but something we love even more? Dupes. Of course we would all love a classic Chanel bag or YSL makeup, however we aren't all millionaires...

Gucci released these amazing slip on loafers. The blogging world went crazy. Everyone was wearing them, at first I didn't know they were Gucci so I began to do my research to hunt these down. The loafers retail from £400-£600. Yep, completely out of my price range. So it got me thinking, surely I can find a nice pair that look similar but don't look like a complete tacky rip off. It didn't take me long to find a pair. Thank god for TOPSHOP.

Topshop never disappoint me, I love their jeans, I love their jewellery and I now completely love their shoes. The name of the pair I picked up were called the "Kylie Backless Buckle Loafer". They are a suede material which is different to the classic Gucci's but I like that. What I love most is just how comfortable they are! It's like walking around in the world's classicist slippers. I paid £52 for them which I think it an absolute bargain. The quality of the shoe is also great and I think they will last a long time. 

The only con of the shoes will be that I wouldn't be able to wear them when it's raining as I think, considering the material, it would ruin them completely. I'm trying to get the most wear out of them now before Winter fully approaches here in the UK. They are not a typical summer shoe, but I've been rocking them for months because they're so comfortable and backless. I'm not ready for Winter, Autumn please last forever!!!

These shoes aren't for everyone, I have friends who love them and friends who think they are the ugliest shoes ever. But don't be negatively influenced. They are unique and different, if you want to change up your style like I did then give them and go!

Below are some links to the Topshop site, I can't find my ones as they must have sold out but they do have the same style in different colours so check them out! :)

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/shoes-430/kylie-backless-buckle-loafer-5786723?bi=80&ps=20

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/shoes-430/backless-loafer-5746753?bi=80&ps=20

http://www.topshop.com/en/tsuk/product/shoes-430/kylie-backless-buckle-loafer-5755567?bi=60&ps=20

Love Elle 

x

I love taking photos. I whip my iphone out at any opportunity. On a night out, at a gig or festival, seeing something pretty walking down the street. I can't help it, I've been told I have an eye for it. And that truly is a big compliment to me. I think my love of photography really blossomed when I made a Tumblr account when I was 15...so 5 years ago. To this day I found an amazing creative platform for freelance photographers to share their work and inspire others. 

I'm also really obsessed with editing. I'm no professional, I edit all of my photos on my iphone 6s. But it's therapeutic. I could sit there for hours testing out different way to edit the contrast and brightness of a photo. That might sound really weird to some people, which I get, but it's something I really enjoy doing.

I would like to start taking more photos of people, that's my own personal photography goal. I follow a lot of people on Instagram and Tumblr who are incredibly talented and it inspires me further. 

Check these people out:

.

@bambaswim - They are a swimwear brand based in Australia, but I love their brand, their Instagram is really cool and full of beautiful women with an 80's feel to the photo's which I LOVE.

@pureheartss - This Instagram account is basically a collection of photo's which have been founded from Tumblr. It's a really fun account that incorporates everything I find interesting about photography.

@35mmmagazine - This account is really cool. They don't alter their models faces or bodies. It's raw and fresh. "Nothing has been retouched no body altered, no scar removed, we photographed what we saw. Don't edit me."

@calcuim.needles - My friend Alicja or Allie has I've always called her has a really cool instagram feed. I think she has talent. Her photos have an edge to them, yet they seem very carefree and not fussed about with. I think that's what I love most about them they're very natural shots.

@erikabowes - A girl I have been following on social media for years! I found her blog and thought she was so cool. She's edgy, has her own unique style and seems to have really taken off and seems to be doing amazing things. She is strikingly beautiful and now is a photographer and stylist travelling the world. It just shows what a blog can do for your career!

However as of right now, I have a small collection of photos that I'm really proud of. A collection from my travels over the past two years. They are all landscape shots, (apart from one). I hope to make another post like this in the near future with more people in them. But please see below for the first part of my photography journey. 

          

Tower Bridge 2016