Dear Diary and mid year reflections...

Wow! I really have been MIA for the last while. I have been preoccupied with the dilemmas life tends to throw at you in one go. Why does that always happen?! Since I have last blogged, I have closed up my school for the holidays, wrapped all my work showcases, went to Morocco for a family holiday, got braces, started summer camps, began preparation to expand my business, kick started my butt into a health regime and began packing for Portugal with my bf. PHEWWWY!


I am not complaining though, I am utterly blessed to have the opportunities that I have. This time last year I was just about to graduate and the amount I have grown since then is huge...slowly but surely I am becoming more positive and my self esteem has boosted loads. I was an absolute nervous wreck last year! I am really happy with my progress in work. Most of the graduates in my year have really been unable to do anything degree related and I am so grateful I had my dance to fall back on. Usually you fall back on something you studied academically- but in my case it's very much the opposite. Weird! It's something I utterly enjoy doing...and most of the time never feels like work. Personally, I am reaching bigger and more difficult goals of being more sociable, more positive and calmer in my day to day life. Whether this is being achieved through the fact that I am nearly a quarter of a century old (I refuse point blank to say that number!!!) and I am maturing or the changes I have subconsciously made are now paving away into a more positive me, I couldn't be happier. I still have bad days though, and because I am taking a bigger gamble by opening up a new stage school, I am fully aware that there are going to be really dark dark days. But isn't life about taking chances and making the most of each and every moment.

My holiday booked with Ev for next week was utterly spontaneous, the old me would have been like no way am I going away, I can't afford it, I have too much to do at home, we haven't planned anything etc...but I am trying to live life a lot more freely and with less expectations.  I recently came back in contact with an old friend from London, we had lost contact for years but getting back in touch with her was great. Reading her stories of what she has been up to the past few years has been fascinating and I totally recommend it to anyone who may have lost contact and wants to rekindle a friendship. It takes an awful amount of balls to be the first person to make the move but it can be so rewarding. 


Oh god, this post is a very long diary entry and a very philosophical one, lol!...I have literally typed away with what ever has come to my head. I am off now to workout, though I really don't want too! I am so sore everywhere from my weights training yesterday and the thoughts of going on a jog and doing core work is making me utterly nauseous- anyone who says exercise releases happy endorphin's needs a smack to the head. I hate it!! But the rewards I am getting from it both physically and mentally is the only thing that is motivating me right now lol!

Have a fantastic week everyone,

Yas x

Quick,Quick...before its gone...

***Sale Alert***

Every girl needs to know when there is a hot sale on and Topshop have sneakily added to their sale line over a 1000 items- but have yet to advertise it going live! So quick head to the site now before all the good sizes are gone!!!! You can find this red blazer that I featured on this 'splurge or steal' post a while back, meanwhile I am lusting after these black ankle cut off shoes and this neon dress. Thank me later....

Yas x

My month in Instagram...

May

Links and details to photos are below- Of to Morocco in less than a week (eeeehhhh!) and wrapping up all my work commitments till then- so too say I'm stressed is an understatement! My bedroom floor is currently covered in sequins and tutus and I have musical theatre songs permanently stuck in my head!!! Not complaining though as I wouldn't have it any other way! Hope to fit in an overdue Fierce Shoe Friday and Holiday Essentials post somewhere in there too lol! Hope everyone has had a great weekend!

Don't forget you can follow me @yasminaaniss if your on Instagram too!

1. Beastmode lol! Ah no, I have started Body Conditioning sessions using weights and have already seen an improvement 2. Did anyone go see Iron Man 3??? Robert Downey Jr is just amazing! 3. My bf- he has a blog too where he writes about cf and his work as a therapist 4. Rocking nike blazers and neon pants 5. Obsessed with THIS fedora I bought from Topshop- it's now my go to hat for bad hair days! 6. You know how obsessed I am with Alex and her HRH Collection brand- well my adorable sister gifted me with the 'Mermaid's Dream'- yey to bling! 7. Obsessed with a Japanese restaurant called Musashi of Capel St, Dublin- by far one of the best Japanese places to eat and incredibly reasonable. 8. An OOTD- love a tee and leather pant combo at the mo. 9. Topshop Gladiators (old) I rocked in the amazing weather we had a while back. 10. Chai seeds are my latest health buzz/fad I have bought in too, lol! Sprinkled on salads and smoothies! 11. We don't get to see the sun very often in Ireland so this was an insta moment that just had to happen. 12. A MAC Cosmetics haul (lipsticks in 'myth', 'angel' and 'asian flower', blush in 'mocha' and skin finish powder on 'shape the future'- 13. A selfie of myself and the bf. 14. Beyonce- I.HAVE.NO.WORDS.TO.DESCRIBE.HOW.PERFECT.THIS.WOMEN.IS. 15. Selfie rocking a Michael Agwunobi 'Line up the bitches' tee. 16. I just love me some am1's

Fierce Shoe Friday

Naughty Nudes...

Today's Fierce Shoe Friday is this seductive 'Bond Girl Pump' in nude by Jeffrey Campbell at Nasty Gal. OBSESSED! The style of these sandals are insanely popular now with high street stores making replicas of the very much coveted Céline strappy Mulese sandal. I however love the twist JC have done on the shoe- adding a slashed ankle cuff on the shoe.  It adds some much needed fierceness!

Made in leather and with a colour that will match anything in your wardrobe- these are a go to shoe for those summer nights. Pair with this Zara skort and this Topshop cami, some gold jewellery and a slick ponytail and all eyes will be on you... 

Happy Friday x

Bond Girl Pump by JC (NastyGal)

My month in Instagram...

April

Ok...this is a late one, sorry! Snappy Happy!

Yas x

1. I am on the biggest health buzz right now- thinking about Summer body and what I want to look like, I always have a packed homemade lunch. 2. Rocking my OTC zippy- a present from my bf. 3. My two sisters- Grace and Sorcha. 4. Obsessed with these Fierce Shoe Friday feature by Senso. 5. Lol!I clearly hate working out! 6. Life's little joys. 7. Jamie Oliver's with the family. 8. Selfie rocking my new pants from Zara. 9. I love skull details. 10. I make a mean lunch. 11. Has anyone tried on a pair of Nike frees- they are the comfiest trainers I have ever worn. 12. Beastmode time... 13. Selfie. 14. Beyonce inspiration! 15. Obligatory Starbucks snap. 16. Myself and my other sister, Layla.

Fierce Shoe Friday

Metallic Mood...

Today's Fierce Shoe Friday is a studded metallic vamp sandal by Zara. Metallic mayhem at its finest! I am heading to Morocco for two weeks this summer and swore that this year I would not pack a gazillion outfits that will never be worn...I am limiting myself to two pairs of sandals only this year (yes shock horror...only two!) and I'm currently looking for the perfect pair that will go with all my outfits.

These pair of sandals are budget friendly, are an awesome gold colour and are full of studs that look secure.

Metallic material not only looks awesome with a tan and any colour nail varnish on the rainbow, its super trendy and adds a bit of glam to any outfit. Pair with uber long chiffon skirts or a cute play-suit and I'll be rocking around Marrakesh buying trinkets and jewels to fill up my suitcase on the way home.

Happy Shopping, and enjoy the long weekend...I don't know yet what I am up to as my bf has a surprise for me but I don't know yet what! Eeeeeh! xxx

Studded metallic vamp sandal (Zara)

Splurge or Steal...

Scarlet Suit...

I was totally inspired by an article in May's Glamour UK magazine on the new trend of power dressing in a scarlet suit. For me, it's a total do! 

I think there is something so sexy about a power suit yet this combo gives off enough smartness and power to go from a board room meeting to after work cocktails!

Unfortunately, the suits modelled are well out of my price range- though I would die for the 'Splurge' Stella McCartney one that features on the Matches Fashion website.  Fear not fashion friends- I came across this cheeky number from Topshop for just under 200 euro. Pair with killer heels- I'm thinking Zara's ankle strap heels I featured on a Fierce Shoe Friday a while back, high pony tail and a silk black cami and your good to go.

Now where is my coffee?!

Splurge or Steal: Scarlet Suits