JUST SAY {WHEN} & {WHERE}

Sitting in one place for too long makes me crazy! 

It's the summer... the heat is on the rise in Dubai and I am starting to get a bit stir crazy. I've been here now for a year and a half - going on 2 years in December. I've heard enough well-travelled people around me talk about all of these different places, and chat about travel as if they're talking about the weather. And I sit there, still, with nothing to add and no perspective to share. It dons on me, I've seriously got to get out and travel! I have been back to the states more times than I can count. I admit that I desperately need that family time because I am to the core, a family girl, but I also need to see other places and experience what is out there! Even fashion is hard to relate to if you haven't seen all of the cities designers are inspired by - there is just something about missing out on other cultures that recently has been making me absolutely mental. 

So, when will I start travelling you ask? Hm, funny question! I have no clue. To be completely open and honest, I'm not the type of girl who would jet-set by herself. (however this might need to change!) As a Gemini, I'm chatty as all hell which is great for meeting new people and all, but I would much rather prefer to share the views, the food, the memories and the fun with someone I care about rather than writing letters emails explaining it all. Until then... I'll be flipping through travel magazines, stocking up on inspirational photos of cities I'd like to see, and writing down motivational quotes, to push me one step closer to just hopping on a plane and going anywhere that sounds intruiging!

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Here's hoping...

Xx.

FASHION {FOOD} & FITNESS.

No, no no, this isn't a blog post about eating disorders, models that are too thin or the outside world's perception on the fashion industry and food. Rather, it's my own little connection between the three. There is no denying it, fashion, food and fitness all intertwine in one way or another. Working in the industry puts you up front and center with all three of these factors that co-exist, in what can easily become a pressurised environment... 

However, luckily for me, that isn't the case. 

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I've always been that girl who says, yeah I need to shed "a few" to get to my goal physique and BMI, but more often than not didn't stay committed for more than a few weeks at a time, up until recently. A shift of events has finally pushed me in the right direction! My fashion career has oddly never been enough to push me that extra step, until now. 

Following a three week stint of being sick - I started talking to my mom questioning what could be the issue. Finally we thought of her having Celiac Disease which in layman's terms is a severe allergy and intolerance to Gluten, so we thought I should cut out Gluten and see what happens. Soon enough I was feeling 100% better and not only that, BYE BYE bread, and all things that were keeping some of the "few extra pounds" on. And {VIOLA!} there began my new view on eating and working out! 

I will admit, it hasn't exactly been fun. The fitness part is still a work in progress, and meanwhile I've been corrected for thinking a routine becomes a habit after 14 days - truth is it takes 21 to 28 - I've been making the time for the gym and giving it my all while I'm there. It's turned into a tool for me to get out anger, stress, extra energy and after I've worked out, as most people say, I've found that I have even more energy. Eating out with friends on the other hand is a different story as far as benefits go. Whilst everyone is enjoying the freshly baked bread basket, desserts and even alcoholic drinks that I can't have, I go slightly mad with jealousy. The only part I can turn to for a sigh of relief is the amount of calories I'm skipping out on, and the fact that they're gaining weight that I'm avoiding! (haaaha)

So here we are, Paleo otherwise known as the cave-man diet - for the most part - (notice cheese in my salad.. whoops!) has been a good fall back. The "diet" is packed with protein and loads of fresh fruits and veggies, I feel great!  The infamous quote by Kate Moss is finally kicking in, I get it 105%. Fashion is finally a driving force thinking of what trends I'm set out to try for the season ahead and how much better they will all look on a trim & fit bod! Thanks Kate... 

Here's to being happy, healthy and feeling good inside and out! 

xx,

IMAGES: MY TUMBLR + PINTEREST

INSPIRE | ENCOURAGE | EMPOWER

{WORDS + DESIGN: MALLORY MCLANE}

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When you're under a full-on time crunch and your graphic designer is in a jam with a priority list the length of his arm - what do you do? Personally, I resort to the next best thing - putting myself in the designer's shoes and get cracking on a design concept that can be recreated easily and in a timely manner. Without the help of Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator or any other specialized Adobe program, I whipped up the above "notebook". It just goes to show that you should never limit yourself... 

I've always made it a personal goal to forever be open to learning new skills from the people around me, something I've mentioned over and over quite recently with my lists of staying creative and stress free...

When the alert came through last night that NYC jewelry designer Joomi Lim, herself, had re-gramed the cover page of the "album" I was stoked and even left a comment.. not soon after she was thanking me for the compliment and next even commenting on my own Instagram pic of her dedicated page! Though it's only Instagram, I refuse to let this go down as just some simple thing that "isnt a big deal" - I am so proud of myself and especially today on International Women's Day, as I work my way towards fulfilling my dreams to become a key player in the fashion industry. 

#proudmoment #designerlove #thankful

online fashion editor and self proclaimed graphic designer....

{HOW TO} TAKE CONTROL...

Where to start? Student loans, monthly bills, work assignments, projects {at home/at work}, cleaning the house, re-organising etc...  Big or small, each task takes time, and while sometimes it may seem easy to escape them by just avoiding them altogether, in the end, the result is nevertheless not a good one. A feeling of "ICK." Otherwise known as "a case of the mean reds!" - as Holly Golightly liked to refer to them on Breakfast at Tiffany's. 

Whilst it's easy for a girl in her mid twenties to get swept away with stress... I've learned there are plenty of  ways to avoid the mean reds, and the feeling of "ick". It's taken me some time and I am still learning, I do admit, but finally I've come to grips with the fact that I cannot control everything around me. However, when it comes to the things that I can control, it needs to be done tactfully and in a timely manner so as to avoid any unwanted stress!

The other day I jotted down all the ways I keep my creativity alive, and while that is a very important skill to hone, I'd say managing stress levels is key to the rate of anyone's success even more so. My grandmother {Nonnie} was always keen on making lists, one of the many things she has instilled in me.. so I figure, I might as well share that trick with others as she has with me. 

Ways to {manage} stress //

:: make a list of what is bothering you

:: decipher what you can change on this list

:: make a list of what makes you happy 

:: figure out how you can do more of what makes you happy 

{this is one of the key ways to staying de-stressed.}

:: make a list of everything you have to do

{write this list in order of most important to least - otherwise go back and number}

:: cross off each task as you complete it on your lists

:: create time tables to manage your time and tasks efficiently

:: be sure to book YOU time 

:: ask for help when you need it - no question is a stupid question {thanks Dad}

:: create automatic payment methods to stay on top of bills 

:: every person can benefit from routine, create one at work/school/home/gym

:: exercise - I admit, I'm still working on making time for this one

:: acknowledge what is stressing you - ignoring it will create more problems

:: surround yourself with positive people + positive energy

:: catch up on sleep - don't skimp out!

:: step away from the technology

:: practice breathing exercises

::  be open to new ideas 

:: count to 10

:: yoga 

This list hardly covers all of the bases - but it highlights a few key ideas on how to remove stress from your daily routine. No one is perfect - stress is common, especially once you exit college and begin to officially step out and manage your life on your own. Keep your chin up, and keep fighting for your dreams, but don't let the little stuff in between get in the way, there is always an answer for everything and people ready to help you find it. "The only questions that go unanswered are the ones that are never asked." - {again, thanks Dad}

positive peggy,

33 WAYS TO STAY CREATIVE//

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{peonies, one of my favourite flowers}

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{reminders of how to keep creativity flowing regularly}

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{art that makes me happy} 

Monday's motivation turned into a Tuesday post... I didn't turn on any tunes today, rather I researched blogs and websites that I have never looked at before in search of some fresh inspiration. When I stumbled upon the above list of 33 ways to stay creative, I realized these ways to kick creativity into high gear are already my go-to routines for keeping my thoughts new and innovative. Nothing is original anymore, rather everything has been done and you just have to find a new way to present this information in a way that captures people's attention and ignites new ideas...

My routine for keeping creative //

:: keep a daily planner in my purse

:: a notebooke and pen available at all times

:: type ideas/titles/sayings in my iPhone 

:: use Pinterest regularly

:: scour other websites for relative content 

:: give myself time to unwind/recharge

:: use breathing exercises 

:: read a book rather than use the computer

:: seek advice from other professionals 

:: always being open to new opportunities

:: when inspired i take advantage and create new looks with 

pieces from my wardrobe i haven't worn in a while or have grown

 tired of instead of trying to shop for new items  - this usually ignites other ideas

:: go to starbucks - seriously, i'm not sure if it's because their coffee + cup make me happy or the souroundings of a comforting place... but starbucks can sometimes do the trick!

:: read articles/magazines/websites

:: call my family back home

:: go for walks

:: stay busy

MORNING MANTRA

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{ Inspire yourself. }

Fresh flowers and confidence. 

Setting myself up for another successful week...

IMAGES VIA

[LOVE] YOUR LOOK.

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Pops of colour, smoking slippers, distressed denim, red lipstick, layered statement necklaces, suiting, tulle skirts and effortless dressing - As the weather changes here in Dubai, my constant search for inspiration to change up my daily style accelerates. Now, if I could just start wearing my high heels again (currently on hold thanks to a broken foot incident back in November) my wardrobe plans for the season would be much easier! 

MONDAY MOTIVATION

"It's not easy, but if you want it, you must work for it.
Stay positive and take everything as a lesson for the future."
- Marissa Webb

...my daily mantra.

 Always Inspired,

[PIN OF THE WEEK]

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#setgoals #mantra #inspiration 

MAKING MY MOVE//

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After packing up my bags and moving to another country (the United Arab Emirates) in December of 2011, I decided it was finally time to throw caution to the wind and go after my dreams full throttle.