Motivation Monday: Not my Circus

Today's bit of motivation comes from a Polish proverb: "Not my circus, not my monkeys"

I like to think of the message being along the lines of "Not my problem" and it's useful to keep in mind. Sometimes you're best to let the rightful people look after their own circus. :)

10 Photos to Trigger your Inner Wanderlust

There's nothing like cold, grey January mornings to get you longing for the feel of the sun on your skin and sand between your toes.
My thoughts have turned to travel a lot more than usual over the last few weeks thanks to those dark mornings and a frostier than normal commute. A few images in particular have got me researching where you can get a tan at this time of year as well as reminding me that there are so many breathe taking sights across the world I'm yet to see!
Look at the images below at your own risk, I accept no responsibility for them causing you to throw caution to the wind and booking a spontaneous, far-flung adventure for 2015. :)

Top 5 Beauty Tutorials 2014

Youtube tutorials promising to teach you the easiest way to do a simple 5 minute up do, which turn out to have 15 steps and result in a couple of hours of hard work and nothing to show for it but a matted mess are my pet internet hate!
But there are a few out there which do live up to their promises and amazingly enough, teach you how to do something amazing with your hair in five minutes!
I've weeded out the good from the bad and picked out those which really do teach you how to do something in an easy to follow way so you can copy it from home.

1. The Texture French Twist from Twist me Pretty A really easy way to quickly put your hair up, and looks deceptively difficult. 2. 5 Minute Curls from Kouture Kiss This is now the only way I curl my hair before work, so quick and easy. 3. No Heat Curls from Paper Mamma A super easy way to get curls without damaging your hair with heat. 4. Twisted Pony from Twist Me Pretty Confession: try as I might a three strand braid is just too damn difficult for me. This one solved the problem! 5. Fishtail braid from Once Wed Fishtails braids definitely aren't as easy as them seem, this video is great to help you figure it out.

Monthly Wallpaper, January

This time last year I had a rather fanciful idea that I'd make myself a new, seasonal wallpaper for my phone every month, and share it on here for the world to see.
Whilst in 2014 this ended up happening just one solitary time (for shame) this year hopefully I'll be able to up my game and share something new and pretty on the first of every single month. Whilst this is said with baited breath, I do really like updating my devices to be appropriate for the time of year, with the first blooms of the year in spring, cool beach sunsets in the summer, crunchy leaves in the autumn, and frosty mornings in the winter.
Right on cue, here is my first attempt made with an image I sniffed out on Pinterest (link). I think looking at a hot beach image will remind me that it is in fact possible to be hot whilst I'm putting on my double layer of socks each morning! And an inspirational message will never go a miss in deepest darkest January!

iPhone 4

iPhone 5 iPhone 6

Le (Fitness) Freak, C'est Chic!

1. 3 Pack Trainers Socks, £6.99, H&M 2. Nike Allure Sports Bra, £30, Nike 3. Nike Epic Lux Printed Running Tights, £80, Nike 4. Nike Pro Hyperwarm Fitted Half Zip Shirt, £40, JD Sports 5. Nike Elite Storm Fit Running Gloves, £9.99, TK Maxx 6. Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31 Womens Running Shoes, £68.62, Direct Sports 7. Nike Modern Tempo Shorts, £30, JD Sports
After all the excitement of Christmas and New Years, I'm probably not the only one thinking that it might be time to re familiarise myself with that gym place I last remember visiting some time in November. January is a great time to do it because you have the momentum of new years resolutions behind you, as well as lots of other people thinking exactly the same thing!
One way to get yourself motivated to get out there is to invest in some new sports wear. Even the thought of heading out for a run at this time of year in summer's cropped leggings and tank tops is enough to make me declare I'm going back into hibernation mode! Which is why a new pair of long leggings, a long sleeve top (with reflective bits so cars don't run me over) and some fancy new socks will hopefully motivate me to reach the rather ambitious fitness targets I have set for the year.

Best Dressed 2014: Mira Duma

2014 has seen lots of trends come and go, and with them comes a whole host of clothes horses, ready to ping up at the world's biggest shows, draped head to toe in the most chic looks.
Someone who is perhaps most representative of this phenomena is Russian writer and fashionista, Miroslava Duma.
Throughout the year she has graced fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, London and New York with her sophisticated looks, always looked primped and primed to perfection with an outfit which screams elegance.
Her petite frame topped with a chic bob (which has even got me considering the chop!) and finished off with an effortlessly pulled together look never fails to impress. From the electric blue suit worn during LFW, to those burgundy culottes and the powder pink shift, her credentials as a street style expert have definitely been cemented this year.
Add to this her staples of a framed bag and essential courts, and we definitely have a fashionista who has well and truly earned her stripes this year.
Who's style have you been digging in 2014?

Biggest Trends 2014

Certain beauty trends arrive for one season, and then fly away never to be seen again until you audit your Facebook page in a few years time, declare "What was I thinking?!", and delete it never to be seen again. Other trends though, have a bit more staying power and really are built to last.
2014 had it's fair share of both, but here are the ones which I particularly enjoyed trying out this year, even if it'll be the first and last time they crop up!
1. Gold tattoos
Temporary tattoos tend to come up around festival season, but this year they arrived with a twist, and it was gold. Perfect for a festival or for a holiday, these might be around for a little while more.
2. Balayage highlights
Balayage refers to hand painted highlights leaving a naturally sun kissed look in your hair, notably sported by Victoria's Secret models and Kardashians alike. The benefits are that it looks incredibly natural, and needs little to no upkeep. Personally, I'm sold!
3. Kylie Jenner lips
Kylie Jenner's ever inflating lips were a big talking point of 2014 to say the least, with the 90s inspired over-drawn style becoming a look everyone wanted to get. Agreed the colour is a universally flattering one, but overdrawn lips might not stick around forever.
4. The return of the midriff
Midriffs came back with vengeance this year, just not quite as extreme as it was back in the 90s. If done in the right way this can be great, so hopefully we'll see more of it next year.
5. Stiletto nails
Out were horrid square tips, and in were the pointy-est of spikes. Oval is my shape of choice, and if worn with a nude colour can look pretty sophisticated, just make sure your points aren't too long or you risk coming across as a bit Edward Scissorhands!
What were your favourite trends of the year?