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

{THE BUSY BEE}

I've been so busy with work and updating client profiles that I haven't actually made time for myself and taken the time to jot down inspirations and ideas that are driving my creative energies. I've been concentrated more so on Pinterst and Tumblr than anything, which are essentially the same creative types. And then of course, there is the continued effort to refurbish my apartment... I will admit, I am definitely indecisive. I'll blame it on being a Gemini, with "two personalities". I'd rather buy everything I love, bring it all home and play dress up with my apartment like I do when I'm feeling creative and think of a few good outfits I've never worn before. Typically, I end up grabbing all of the key pieces I'm thinking of, throw them on the bed, turn on some music and style different looks until I end up with a few good ones... at times they are a bit OTT to be worn anywhere but somewhere along the way the process gives me a major mood boost! Like they say, playing dress up starts at age 5, and never ends.

So, to give myself a kick in the butt to get back to focusing on blogging,
I figured I would start with a few pictures for a not so wordless Wednesday.

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More so than anything, all I can seem to think about, other than fashion, is travel. 

Booked for August/September, my other half and I will be cruising back stateside to Mexico, California, New York and possibly one more lay-over that I can't yet reveal! 

Our friends are getting married in Mexico and I absolutely cannot wait. In the meantime, I'll be here in Dubai lusting after other destinations on my "must-go" travel list and spending time at the beach and pool reminding myself that my life here is like a vacation every day.

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

xx,

IMAGES: MY TUMBLR

// CATCH ME IF YOU CAN //

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At times I have a tendency to be out-of-sight, out-of-mind. Meanwhile that's happening.. hop on over to my Tumblr for some constant feeds of inspiring pictures and sayings to keep your creative appetite full.

When I'm not there, you can find me on Pinterest where I am constantly replenishing my 30 pin boards full of healthy {and sometimes not so healthy} recipes, style inspirations, interior design ideas, travel destinations and quirky fun bits that are too cool/cute not to pin!

I'm a sporadic Tweeter so, at times you can find me there - but usually I'm posted up on Instagram snapping pictures of my ongoing obsession with coffee and all things fashion and travel - it's hard not to post pictures as if I'm constantly on vacation because, well, living in Dubai pretty much is like being on holiday every day of the week. I know, tough life.

So there you have it, I promise to swing by every so often, but I have a tendency to let my mind and self wander - it's the only way to learn new things!

#livelife
xx,

Natalie Massenet | THE WOMAN WHO CHANGED THE WAY WE SHOP

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Setting the standard for online shopping, Natalie Massenet is a bit more than an inspirational figure. Her pioneering spirit has pushed the fashion industry to an entirely new level. After launching Net-A-Porter in 2000, having perfected the art of grabbing the attention of the online audience worldwide, she introduced a men's concept [Mr. Porter] in January of 2011. Both equally successful, she has created two platforms for shopping online, at any time, anywhere in the world. With fresh concepts, style-inspiring online magazines for both brands and plans for moving to print with Net-A-Porter's magazine THE EDIT [headed up by former Harper's Bazaar Editor-In-Chief, Lucy Yeomans], this fierce fashion icon is on fire and it won't stop there. During her talk at the Vogue Festival in April, the newly named British Fashion Council (BFC) Chairman, listed her life lessons that I found rather inspiring and thought they would be a good mid-week share...

LIFE LESSONS FROM NATALIE MASSENET:

- If you want success, be unique

- The harder you work, the luckier you get

- There is no recipe for success - it is as unique as you are

- Sometimes it's easier to get something big if you divide it into small amounts - I started by calling 30 people and asking them for £10,000 each

- Why be like everybody else? Try to be like yourself

- You only get one chance to make a first impression

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- Follow your instincts: I was told by a very respected American buyer that my first idea - to launch a range of luxury scented candles - would never work because nobody would ever spend more than a dollar on a candle. My other idea was a coffee bar chain. Evenutally I realised I had to go with my instincts

- Don't be afraid of what's on the other side of the mountain

- As long as you put  your consumer first there is no tension

- Everything has to start somewhere and usually it's small

- People think success looks like a direct line but actually it's a very wiggly line

- Sometimes the plan you have for yourself doesn't always turn out to be the plan

- There is no "i" in team

- Never be afraid of what is on the other side of the mountain

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- When you visualise something with self-belief the universe conspires to help you - you still have to work hard but it can happen

- Plan the best you can and then jump in and go for it. Adapt as you go. That's how progress happens

- Why walk when you can run

- Don't sleep on the job

- Make yourself indispensable

- Be nice to everyone because you will come across them again

- The only limits are the ones we put on ourselves

- Once you start a business you have to grow it and grow with it - starting a business is not just for Christmas

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See, what did I tell you? Inspiring, right?

Did I mention... Using Instagram as her platform for telling her story of success at Vogue's Festival, she once again pushed the limits of forward thinking and presentation as she veered off from the typical and instead added an interesting twist to keep the on-lookers interested. #brilliant

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For anyone working online, it is absolutely no secret that their inspiration and source for that needed "kick in the butt" to get into gear is Net-A-Porter.com - long before my career launched you could find me perusing N.A.P's pages for my fashion fix, their newsletters left me starry eyed and their magazine, well, I don't think it needs much explaining... it speaks for itself! Starting out as bloggers, Criseida and I always clicked over to Net-A-Porter for clean design inspiration, where I think I can speak for the both of us in saying that we fell hard for their fonts, styled looks and clear images. 

Turning 26 in less than a month, its sad to say that 25 has come to an end - I feel as though I'm "offcially" growing up. Which is in turn forcing me to really think about my future and how I see it all panning out... hard work pays off, and Natalie Massenet is there to prove it as my daily reminder. Something I will remember from her talk is "The only limits are the ones we put on ourselves" - I'm ready and willing to push the limits, Natalie, thanks. 
...Let's go 26! I've got this.

#hardworkpaysoff

COLOUR ME HAPPY //

As a kick start to my week, I created a mood board for my closet on Monday to fire up a bit of inspiration. Thankfully I had plenty of old magazines to clip from - now this beauty hangs on my closet wall. {Don't try too hard to dissect, I'm not that deep} These are the colours that are driving me right now; cool blues, kelley greens, pops of red and of course, the inevitable black & white. My own little jewel-tone heaven.

@HOME

I couldn't be more excited to see that one of my go-to fashion sites has just officially launched their first sister site for inspiration at home. WHO WHAT WEAR recently launched DOMAINE, the place for shopping, style, and inspiration for the home and I must say, I am inspired. 

Ever since my move to Dubai, I feel like I am constantly looking for new interior ideas for my apartment. I started out thinking minimalist was the best way to go with whites, blacks, greys and here and there, a touch of colour. Suddenly, that isn't quite the case anymore. With a royal blue couch, bright orange printed pillow and white sheepskin throw pillows, my apartment is totally turning into the eclectic reflection of my personal style. I have to admit, I kind of love it. 

Now that DOMAINE has officially launched, my search for the perfect at home inspiration can end - though I will most likely still be spending hours on Pinterest saving my "must design" rooms. 

My top picks of inspiration photos soon to come... 

In the meantime go check out DOMAINEHOME.COM, you can thank me later!

xx,

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,

SEA, AIR & SUN.

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all I need for an amazing weekend ahead... 

enjoy yours!

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