In the clouds

My Work Day Morning Routine. 

L I F E S T Y L E 

Since taking the plunge and deciding to work for myself there have been so many more positives than negatives, however there are still a few things that i have struggled with. A couple of them being having to really organise myself and my work, and the other is making sure i am strict with my time keeping. At first, it was so easy to give myself the morning off or early finishes and choosing to go out with my friends. I ended up pushing all the little jobs to the side when over time, they all added up and left me feeling very stressed.

 It took me probably a lot longer than it should have to get my self into a good work day morning routine. Hopefully if you decide to try some of my tips it may make you feel that little more organised and ready for the day.  

1. Getting up Early.  

Ok, so you may already be a morning person but i certainly was not. I was one of those people who set my alarm for 7:30am and snoozed until 9:30am (crazy, i know!). 

I decided its was time i needed to force myself to get out of bed for 7am and over time, guess what?! I now willingly climb out my sheets at 6:00am and its one of my favourite times of day! 

My mornings are now ME time! I scrape my hair back into a ponytail, make my bed, jug down a big glass of water to wake me up and throw on my workout kit before jumping in my car and heading straight to the gym. 

2.  Workout 

Over the years I've been on and off going to the gym so many times i can't even count but this past year I've really tried to make a habit of it. Don't get me wrong, some days i really can not be bothered but i try to remind myself of that amazing feeling after you've just done a good workout. 'I really regret that workout' - Said no one EVER. I have really discovered a passion for working out the last few months, i leave my phone in a locker, shove my headphones in and escape the world for about an hour and am always thankful i went! 

3. Breakfast

(my now FAV meal of the day)

By the time i make it home from the gym its around 7:30am (i only live round the corner). Im usually feeling quite abit more energetic by now although i can't wait to get dressed and feel fresh. I head straight into my room to plan my clothes for the day before jumping in the shower. 

Once I'm all ready ill make my way down stairs and get me some brekky!! Ive always been a breakfast person to be honest, usually opting for a big bowl of coco pops but nowadays i try to be a little healthier and give my body the fuel it needs. I have grown a love for granola, this stuff is friggin' amazing, so ill pour myself a small bowl with some almond milk and berries-  DEEELISH! 

Ill usually watch an episode of a series while i enjoy my breakfast, green tea and really relax for 20mins or so.

4. Hair & Makeup. 

Ok, so once I've got into an episode of a series i find it difficult to watch just the one so ill most likely put on another in the background while i complete my hair and makeup. Most days in the week i don't want to be faffing about too much with makeup but i want to look presentable for my clients so ill put on some foundation, bronzer, eyeliner, mascara and most defiantly sort my eyebrows out. My hair is pretty easy to maintain to be honest, it may surprise some of you as it is mostly extensions but ill usually plait my hair in the evenings so its already wavy for the day or ill wave it quickly with the straightens, literally a 5-10min job! 

4. Organise myself 

Every evening i usually plan all the products ill need for work the next day so i don't need to worry so much about that (little less weight off my shoulders!). Ill usually take the last half hour before i need to head to work to reply to any messages or emails i have come through, check my diary for the day to remind myself of where i am heading to and make a notes on my phone on any to-do's of the day for example- Get Fuel, Have car washed, Go to the wholesalers etc.

Changing my work morning routine to me getting up earlier has really helped me feel less stressed about my day and much more organised. Knowing i start my day off to some me time and my favourite breakfast really motivates me to want to get up and enjoy my morning! 

Hope you enjoyed hearing about my morning routine and if you have any tips that have helped you be more organised in the mornings, id love to hear them in the comments section below! :) 

What 2017 Taught Me. 

10 things that make me happy. 

In the busy ways of life, from time to time i think we can all get a little stuck in a rut. Some of us will find ourselves in this situation more than others and it's not always easy to get out of. 

I am beginning to be able to realise when i am heading towards being stuck in a rut and there are a few things i try to make time for to help me avoid the situation and keep positive... 

Id like to share some of my tips and tricks with you, all my tips may not work for you but even if one of these steps helps to keep you out of or help you get out of a rut then I'm happy. Its not hard for us to get caught up in work, college or whatever we may do. The same routine everyday over and over again becomes boring and then it starts to feel like were spending way to much time in our daily routine then thinking about whats really important and what were aiming for. Times like this, i think its important to step away for a couple of hours at least and have some YOU time. When was the last time you had a few hours to yourself to have a complete pamper? I like to make sure i do these steps I'm about to share with you at least once a week! 

Walks. 

I love to walk, i often take my dog to a place called Harlestone Firs which is pretty near where i live. It's so nice to switch off, leave my phone in the car and enjoy some quiet time! The sound of the wind through the trees, the fresh air and not having to think about anything but which route round the firs you want to take is amazing, it does me good and gives me a chance to unwind when i step away for half hour. 

Hot Drinks. 

Now, anyone that knows me will know i am a little obsessed with Costa and Starbucks and am extremely happy its coming to that time of the year where they bring out the festive menus! FYI I'm such a sucker for anything festive!! I consider a Hot Chocolate a treat when you purchase one from a coffee shop, however i probably 'treat' myself a little too much when it comes to hot drinks! Something about sitting down for a Coffee with my boyfriend or friends i find wonderful! When you meet a friend for a starbucks the conversation is always light hearted and 50% of the time is spent talking about how good your drink is! Its a time for you to not have to think about anything work or stress related and just have a good ol' catch up!

Candles/Incense. 

When i am home no doubt about it, i always have a candle or incense burning. Having a beautiful smell fill the room makes me feel so cosy and relaxed. If i am stressed obviously lighting a candle isn't going to get rid of my problems but it defiantly helps me unwind. I find candles so relaxing that it almost slows my head down from going 100mph to smooth and steady.

Shopping. 

A little retail therapy never hurt anyone. Had your eye on something for a while but haven't got round to buying it or you're holding out for some other reason? Get it. Im pretty good with money and not blowing it but i can almost be too careful with it. Ill quite happily treat myself to a coffee now and then but have never really been one to go wild in a shopping centre. Not because i don't want clothes, i love clothes and shopping. Ive just always tried to be pretty sensible an only buy what i need. Sometimes this is bad, its important to feel good in yourself, i think the way you feel about your appearance has such a massive impact on your attitude of the day! If you love your outfit, your going to feel like a boss. If you don't feel your dressed your best, you'll probably be wishing the day would hurry up so you can go home to your pjs and not have to care about anyone seeing you. Been there. 

Recently I've been treating myself to new clothes quite regularly, Im trying to work on changing my fashion to something a little smarter as i usually dress casual all the time. But as much as its nice to be in comfortable clothing, i feel i should make more effort for me. So i have less days of wanting to run home to my pjs and more days feeling like a girl boss. 

A good book. 

I love discovering a good new book. Ive never been one thats into reading of a kindle or iPad. I love to sit down with a good book and let my mind wander. Its a perfect way to switch off from realty and be full on koze! Especially when you find a great page turner! Ive been loving self help books and the moment, you'll be able to find a blog post about one of them on my page! I'm on to my third now and have found a few more I'm thinking of investing in! If you have any books, even fictional you think id like please let me know! 

Driving.

Those of you who have seen my youtube videos will know that i drive a Fiat 500. As much as i am looking for a bigger car, i do love my little white bubble. Its to girly and was the perfect car for me! I can't bare to part with Fifi (the fait) but i am in need of something a little bigger to tie in with my work a little better. Having the freedom to drive is amazing, i can't remember what i used to do without knowing i can just jump in my car and go wherever i fancy! I often keep my playlist on my phone updated, blast my favourite songs through my car speakers and just drive.

Blankets. 

Honestly, I've never been the one to reach for a book in my spare time, instead id choose a Netflix series or a good movie. I was recently recommended a book about a month go that honestly, had me hooked! I now couldn't think of anything better to do with my evening other that curling up with a fuzzy blanket, a creamy hot chocolate and a book i can get lost it. 

Now don't get me wrong, I've always liked to read. I can take about 3 books on a two week holiday and finish all of them in the first week, I've just never really found the time to read in the busy reality of life. Just lately I've been making time and now I'm questioning myself as to why i didn't start sooner!! 

The first book i was recommended is called 'Girl Boss by Sophia Amoruso'. Now most of you have probably heard of or seen the Netflix series which is pretty great and such a good series to get into!  However, i made sure to read the book first as i heard you get so much more story in a book then to watching the TV version. 


This book was so flippin' inspirational! I could not possibly wait to put some of the tips and tricks Sophia talks about into action. This book is truly relatable in a lot of ways, i don't want to give too much away incase you decide to give it a read but ill give you some of the basics. 
Basically, Sophia was just your average young adult but slightly more on the wild side, she goes out drinking, struggles to pay her rent, gets evicted from her apartment, her boyfriend cheats on her and she shops for clothing in charity stores. Then one day she has a life changing idea (she didn't realise it would be life changing at the time) and cutting a long story short, she's now a millionaire in America! Girl Boss literally makes you feel like you are capable of anything if its what you enjoy and are passionate about! 





I would highly recommend anyone to give this book a shot if you're lacking in bit of motivation/inspiration, it'll make you want to jump straight out your seat and get on with whatever your dreams are. Since reading Girl Boss, i have now purchased 2 other self help/motivation books which i will probably do a post on in the near future! 


Thank you for reading! If you have read Girl Boss or are thinking of giving it a go, tell me what you thought in the comments section below!:)

Bye for now!
Lauren x