Portsmouth day trip | taking time out

The other day after my final exam (thank god) I felt like a huge weight had been lifted and I could breathe. It was like everything seemed so much better than before and I was ready to go on more adventures without feeling guilty about not doing any work or revision. About 2hrs after my exam, I set of to Portsmouth with my friends for a day of discounted shopping and Nandos. Just a dream really.

I had this whole planned post planned with lots of pictures but to be honest, I just didn’t take that many. I made purchases I probably didn’t need but wanted, smiled from ear to ear (as Beyoncé would say) and filled my stomach with good food. It’s so important everyone in a while to live in the moment, take a breath and realise what you have. It was a great way for me to unwind and catch up 

with my girls.

Nonetheless, here are some pictures I took and a flatlay of all the things I bought.

I hope you guys enjoyed the post and I’ll see you all Sunday for a new one x

Blog birthday!

It can’t believe that 4 years ago today, I opened up blogspot and start my blogging journey. How time really does fly. 15 year old me really had no idea what she was in for.

My little corner of the internet has really been through some changes. To name the biggest, last year I said happy birthday to Holy Chic and this year I am saying happy birthday to me, Amira. I have fallen in and out of love with blogging but overall, I cannot thank myself enough every day for taking the plunge and starting to write. And every day I cannot thank you guys enough through sticking with me though my poor blogging commitment and empty promises.

I am in a place in my life where I really want to move forward with things. Get the ball rolling and do more things that I love. Blogging is something I adore and I want to keep up with it. I have been planning posts and photographing like a crazy woman just feeling all giddy inside with the content I want to share with you.

I want to announce that next month I will be doing #fashionfebruary. 8 posts throughout the entire month dedicated to fashion. Fashion is the reason I ventured over to blogging and I want to bring it back in the best way possible.

I again want to say thank you and here’s to another year blogging. Let’s kick some ass in 2017!

New year, 20 facts about me!

As the saying ‘new year new me’ still circulates around the masses, I thought I would let you guys get to know me a little better. Having fallen in and out of love with blogging for the past year or so, I think it’s time I brought you back up to speed. 

• 1.       I am 19 years old and my birthday is in may
• 2.       I am in my second year of university studying media
• 3.       I used to be a competitive swimmer
• 4.       I’ve done the same makeup on my face since I was 12. (post coming soon)
• 5.       I have loved fashion and wanted to work in fashion since I was 12
• 6.       I work a lot with young people on different areas of mentoring and education
• 7.       I own way too many clothes (but who doesn’t)
• 8.       Biggest pet peeves: bad manners, seeing what people are eating
• 9.       I am from London and if you ever meet me, you will know straight away
• 10.   I wear glasses (but not as much as I should)

• 11.   I love travelling, seeing new places and being in a different mindset.
• 12.   I love watching real crime tv shows and crime dramas. All the CSIs, SVU, snapped, fatal vow. Honestly, I could go on. Love them all
• 13.   I think I have been to about 10 different countries. But I won’t stop there
• 14.   The friends that I have mean the world to me
• 15.   I am the proud owner of a car. Still getting used to it but I love it
• 16.   I can be quite messy but it’s an organised mess … sort of ;)
• 17.   I am 5”6 (almost)
• 18.   I love watching tv shows. If you suggest one to me I’ve probs seen it.
• 19.   I like being busy. It gives me a sense of purpose
• 20.   My hair is real!

      Tell me an interesting fact about you below. I would love to get to know my readers too J

A lipstick love affair

I am not one to wear lipstick all that much. I love the idea of it and wearing a different one everyday but A, I don’t think I can pull it off that well and B, I feel like I’m trying too hard when I wear it. Nonetheless, I am a sucker and I still buy them every once in a while and have collected about 2 handfuls.

But this new lipstick that I had found deserved its own little shout out. I think I struggle with lipsticks because of my darker skin tone and a lot of lipsticks seem to be pink undertone when I need more of a blue undertone one.

The Maybelline colour sensational in ‘Burgundy Blush’ just ticked all of the boxes for me. I always gravitate towards burgundy/maroon lipstick so that’s a no brainer, and it had a brown undertone to it, similar to my mac ‘Antique Velvet’ one (also a great lipstick btw). It brought my favourite shade of lipstick and my only mac lipstick together beautifully. Better yet it only cost like £7 and it’s a great matte lipstick.

Tell me, what’s one of your new favourite lipsticks?

Things to do this week: Conquering 2017

I could tell you about things I have enjoyed and maybe you should try but life has thrown at us another 365 days of excitement and opportunities

Reflect on the past

I did so in my last post and its really made me realise that even though right now I am in a pile of self-inflicted shit, I have had so many amazing times and opportunities that I’ve had and how grateful I am

Start now not tomorrow

With most things right now (particularly uni work) it’s a good mindset to have to get moving with all the things you want to do. Having an aim for the end of the helps you see where you need to start

Take a well deserved break

You just kicked ass last year so kick back and relax for the day. Everyone deserves a break

Out with the old and in with the new

Whether that be having a clear out or change in the foods you eat or clothes you wear, make a change. We shouldn’t fear change, we should embrace it. Just like bad food, everything in moderation won’t hurt

Appreciating what you have

Sometimes what you want is already right underneath your nose. Take a moment to look around at the people behind you, the things that you have

Setting realistic and achievable goals and expectations

Its easy to say new year new me but you have to work with in your means. Everyone is capable of achieving their resolutions, you just have to go at a pace that works for you. Set goals that are within your reach. (that doesn’t mean you should stop being a dreamer)

Self love

Take time out for you. You are only human. You have feelings, emotions, desire, passion, let your body and your mind feel it all. Don’t hold back and love yourself for who you are

Learn something new.
This could be a hobby or something about yourself, you really do learn something new every day. Take time out to acknowledge what you’ve learnt and feed in into your life.

I hope you’ve all had a good new year and here is to us and kicking ass in 2017. 

Moments of 2016

As this year draws to a close, I thought I would take this opportunity to reflect on the year. I haven’t been around much for reasons I can’t explain but I hope I can find some sort of blogging balance in 2017. Here’s to another year packed fun of memories.

One. Travel

I think this year in total I have been to 4 different countries and I don’t plan to stop there. From Amsterdam to volunteering in Thailand to a day trip to Paris, each opportunity has made me realise how incredibly lucky I am.

Two. Uni

I passed first year and made it to second year. I have an offer to study for a year abroad in New York state. And I have been working a lot more at uni and making more friendships and laughs

Three. Friends

I have lost friends and made new ones from here and around the world and realised the ones you should keep and the ones you should let go of. But I wouldn’t change any of the memories I made with any of them. I am the combined effort of everybody I’ve ever known.

Four. Broom broom

Yes this year I am the proud owner of a car. Living within my means is something I am learning to do, but I couldn’t be happier to be on the road and have a new sense of freedom.

Five. New flat

I think you guys know the deal with my first year halls but this year has been a complete 360. I have made some amazing friends through them and I feel so grateful for them every day and the absence of silence in the kitchen

Six. Increased happiness

As the year as gone by I have grown in my sense of happiness and you know what, being happy is the best feeling. Having a lasting smile on my face has deffo been a highlight.

Seven. Reconnecting

It’s so important to keep those friends back at home, well, the ones that bother to hold up a conversation with you. I’ve had so much fun taking breaks to pop down and see friends from school and work and makes new ones

Eight. New blog name
Yes after many years of being known as Holy Chic, i changed my blog name to my own name because all i can ever be is me. i thought this change would solve my relationship with blogging but we are slowly getting there and i am ready to take this blog into a new direction.

This year has had its highs and lows but you just gotta keep going and see what’s through the next door. To 2016, I leave you behind but I won’t forget you. 2017, bring it on. 

Fashion 101: Stuck in a rut?

Fashion as always been something I have loved and budget shopping to me is even better. I love physically going into shops and browsing everything. I do my fair share of online shopping because usually what I want is online and I especially love it for sale stuff. (shout out to New Look who has all of my money)

I am at this age where I walk in and pick up things and I’m like crap I’m too old to wear this or crap I’m too young to wear this. The in-between stages as I’ve named it. I feel like I have to dress my age so some parts of H&M are a no go but at the same time, work wear is not my attire.

So I thought I would share with you how I have incorporated my love back into this difficult period of my life. I simply went back to basics.

Basic t shirts can be the epitome of effortless. When paired with the right staples it is easy to go from a day to night outfit.

Denim doesn’t just have to be jeans. This oversized denim jacket is great to throw on with anything without it making you look 2x the size

Although blazers are notorious for its formality, it can actually be some something quite casual during the day. With jeans and a t shirt, a slightly oversized blazer can add a little structure

Graphic tees are not just for kids and they are great to throw on for one of those “popping to the shops” moments. I mean who isn’t loving a sewed on patch these days

The off the shoulder look has taken the world by storm. I’m quite partial to ones with straps. With a little embroidered detail, it’s a great way to spruce up an outfit

I have actually fallen head over heels in love with jumpsuits. So easy to throw on with no fuss. Pair with heels or trainers for a great transitional outfit piece.

After my trip from Thailand I have only wanted to wear trousers and not jeans. They give a nice relaxed tailored look without it being too formal for everyday casual attire

These trainers and heels I always talk about. Well here they are

Going for something basic in neutral and easily styled colours helps introduce a starting palette to your wardrobe.

Adding colour with accessories is a great way to go if you are more of a neutral dresser. It can breathe a little life in to any outfit.

So that’s how I’ve been hacking my brain around my fashion style recently. To this day it’s still growing and evolving and I’ve bought more clothes than I care to admit to accommodate for that. Final tip: don't be afraid of incorporating some of your summer wardrobe into your autumn one. that's why we have this beautiful trend of layering. But also i cant afford that many new clothes.