We're Moving!

Secret Life of a Millennial 

When I started this blog I had no idea it would lead to the amazing opportunities that it has. I am extremely grateful and have loved writing on this platform. Over the last few months I slowly pulled away from writing on here. I was experiencing all life had to offer. New job, new people, fresh starts and fresh hearbreak. I've always found writing extremely cathartic and even through the toughest of times writing has helped me organise my thoughts. That's where this blog began and and it's been a whirlwind.

My life lately has led me so far out of my comfort zone, which is really scary but also extremely exciting. As I prepare to move onward and upward, I thought I'd do so on a new site. A new site to reflect the new era in my life. I've called it Secret Life of a Millennial.

I hope to see you over there as I work my way through this quarter life crisis.

Meet you over there.

Sammi. x

OLE HENRIKSEN PURE TRUTH MELTING CLEANSER

Usually an August favourites post includes a selection of various products which have been outstanding during the month of August. However, this month there was only one stand out product for me; the Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Melting Cleansing Balm.

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Melting Cleanser

I've been a fan of cleansing balms, creams, milks and oils for a long time, the pure truth cleanser is a jelly. Once you get past watching it wobble in the pot, (slightly reminiscent of those pots of cheap hair gel that did the rounds during the 00's) the cleanser turns from a gel into luxurious oil when in contact with skin. It lifts even the most stubborn of makeup with pure ease, all whilst leaving my skin looking clean and plump. The products is extremely hydrating and when used with a little water it transforms into a cleansing milk. This really is a product for everyone, whether you prefer cleanisng milks, oils or balms.

The combination of beneficial ingredients leaves skin looking bright, clean and nourished. My face isn't left stripped feeling tight or dry which is thanks to the rosehip and virgin cherry oils. This product is seriously effective and luxurious another hit by Mr. Henriksen.

After all, Ole knows good face!

Turning 25 - Photodiary

This week I turned 25! A whole quarter of a century! As I put the quarter life crisis on hold I thought I'd share a photo diary from the celebrations.

The sun decided to show up for my birthday and the UK was hit with a glorious heat wave, perfect for a photo opportunity.

The two days were really a tale of 2 cities, the day of my birthday was spent lounging in the gardens of stately homes. The next was a busy hot, sweltering, and did I mention hot, day in London. Nothing beats London in the sunshine.

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The Quarter Life Breakthrough

To help us 1990's babies turning 25 this year.

1) Sometimes when your feeling rubbish books are best. You don't want to analyze your life, you don't want to talk, you don't want to apply for one more job. That's when you can lose yourself in a book that just gets you. 

2) Exercise your brain to think positively. 

3) Discover yourself, spend quality time with yourself and learn that being alone is liberating. 

4) Keep learning. Learning doesn't stop as soon as you throw that cap in the air. After graduating I started a blog and have been learning ever since.

5) Possibly the most important... Don't be so hard on yourself! Challenges can hit a raw nerve within us. Sometimes we need to take it step by step and nurture ourselves in the process. Be gentle on yourself.

This article by Buzzfeed hits the nail on the head!

http://www.buzzfeed.com/tahliapritchard/25-signs-youre-having-a-quarter-life-crisis#.jsrmO1130

Matchy Matchy

I've been really into dressing the 'matchy matchy' way lately. I love coordinating similar tones or in some cases the exact same tone. It's a simple hack to look both put together, and yet not like you tried too hard. I've took some pictures from my Tumblr page as inspiration on how to tone like a pro. 

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5 Things... That Have Made Me Smile

It's so easy to overlook the things that make you smile, as it's always the things that get you down which take up so much attention. I should do these "5 Things" posts more often as they help me to stay positive. Here's 5 things that have made me smile over the last few weeks.

Park Guell - Barcelona

1) Being Busy. This might sound strange but I'm so thankful to be busy and juggling many projects at the same time.

2) Bacon. Just cause.

3) When the Sun finally makes an appearance after days of rain! The best!

4) My house/room after I've been cleaning, organising and just generally sorting my life out.

5) Meeting new people who are genuinely really nice!

What has been making you smile lately?

The Anti-Advice Post

What I love the most about blogging is the ability to open up a new post page and just allow yourself to type away. Type what you're feeling, what you're loving or even what you're disliking right now. To have a space online which is truly yours is amazing and makes for so much unique content. I fell in love with blogging years ago and started my own just over a year ago now for this reason alone. I read so many blogs about a range of topics and each had their own distinctive qualities.

Lately, I've noticed a shift in blogging. With blogs now becoming gargantuan empires this has led to others trying to emulate their style. Their style of writing, photography and even opinions. A desire to appeal to the masses some blogs have completely lost their unique selling point. Going hand in hand with this are the 'advice posts'. The 'how to increase your traffic' or 'how to increase your SEO' posts. Advice posts which don't really offer any advice seem to be everywhere at the moment. There's nothing wrong with sharing advice, in fact some can be extremely helpful. The problem comes when too much advice is consumed. If you become too focused in doing things the 'right' way or the way some successful blogger is doing it, you get tunnel vision. Which leads to less experimentation with writing styles, blog topics and even photography. And who knows, that may be where you truly find your passion.

When I started blogging I was a bored graduate who wrote about the trials and tribulations of being another 18-24 statistic. Those are the posts that I am most proud of and my favourite to write because they were from my heart. Lately I don't know when but I seemed to have lost my blogging mojo. Whether it was to do with the lack of motivation. Or the advice posts being thrown my way about how I'm obviously doing it wrong because I don't have thousands of followers by now. I mistakenly took some this 'advice' aboard and I have to say I wasn't happy with the content. I was scared to do it the 'wrong' way. Now, here's my 'anti-advice' I urge you to do it your way. Write the way you want, about stuff that makes you happy. I may be a little old fashioned but I believe your blog should be personal to you, your own journey and that's what makes blogs so enticing to read. So don't be so strict on yourself or keep your blog too structured, find your own voice and enjoy the ride. Come on and step out of your comfort zone, the waters fine over here.