The Unedited Reality Of Instagram

For world mental health day, I thought I’d write a little blog post about the effects of Instagram on our mental health. As the first generation to grow up surrounded by social media, I think it’s very important to see what effects it is having on us as a society, and you don't have to look for long to see the damage it can have.

Instagram is being put forward as the worst social media platform for mental health issues, and it’s not hard to see why. Instagram is a social media platform created to be beautiful. Full of beautiful people, in beautiful places living their beautiful lives and sharing it for everyone to see.

Rates of stress, anxiety and depression have risen sharply over the last decade for teenage girls – a rise of 68% since 2007 - and is affecting girls at a much higher rate than boys.

This rise in mental health issues can be linked directly to the explosion of social media, with Facebook becoming available in the UK in 2005 and gaining in popularity since then and opening the door for the other social platforms that followed.

Everyone remembers what it was like being a teenager. It’s a time where you’re trying to figure out who you are as a person while trying to make friends, be successful at school, while also going through the rollercoaster that is puberty.

You’re probably a little awkward, self-conscious and it’s likely your self esteem isn’t the best it’s ever been. So it’s no surprise that spending your down time looking at your phone at this fake reality that you think you should be living - but you’re not - is probably going to affect your mental health.

Even I struggle with it at times, and recently have really hit a real rut where I keep comparing myself to other bloggers  - and other people’s lives. ‘Why don’t I look like her’, ‘Why can’t I dress as well as her’ etc etc…

When I get these thoughts, I know they’re poisonous, and as soon as they cross my mind I get off Instagram and try my best to leave my phone alone. And I know this isn’t just me who thinks this. I spend a lot of time on Instagram doing what I do, and as rewarding as it can be it can also be dangerous.

These feelings of inadequacy can sometimes build up to the point I know it’s really affecting me and my mental well-being, which is when I know I need to take a break from it all and do something to get me into a more positive space of mind.

This will be happening to women all across the world, and to teenagers who perhaps haven’t realised their self-worth yet to develop a confidence or coping mechanism to help them get over these feelings. It’s so easy to see how Instagram can really help to create a well of self-loathing that can easily take over your life.

The important thing with mental health awareness day is that the discussion around mental health is really opening up and more people are understanding and realising the importance of mental health and how pervasive it is and that it is just as important as physical health.

I feel a huge responsibility to show people that follow me that Instagram isn’t real. Everytime I post a photo of me in a bikini I can’t help but think of the people that might see that picture and consequently feel bad about themselves.

I started doing Instagram because I love clothes and I want to share my outfits and styling with the world, I in no way don’t ever want to create a page or platform that shows me as a perfect person with a perfect life with no anxieties or worries. Because that’s not true for me or for anyone.

I do think as someone who has an audience, whether it’s 3 million or 1000 people, you have a responsibility to try your best to dispel this mythical Instagram life that it looks like you might lead. Which is hard, because the whole point of Instagram is to make your feed look beautiful and look perfect.

We need to remember that Instagram isn’t real, and everyone you see on there looking like they’re living a dream will have the same body hang ups, the same family issues and daily anxieties you have. They just aren’t taking pictures of that side of their life.

Instagram is an edited and perfected version of you, and isn’t the real version – so don’t be fooled and don’t let it affect the way you view yourself and your life.

Because we’re all a little insecure and we all have bad hair days and breakouts. So anytime you hear that nagging voice tell you you’re not good enough or as pretty as the person on your phone screen, don’t listen. Just remind yourself without all that editing, lighting, angles and photography equipment, they wouldn’t look that different to you.

So enjoy all my outtake photos - the ones I don't post but I have a lot more of than my insta-worthy edits - and remember that you are good enough.

Why You Shouldn't Compare Yourself To Others

This month, I finally reached my first big milestone of hitting 10,000 followers on my Instagram (yay! Thank you everyone!) However, in the wake of this I have become quite critical of my feed and what I’m doing. 

In hitting this goal, instead of looking back and seeing how far I’ve come I’ve instead been looking at other similar accounts and how they are ‘better’ than mine.

Of course whether they are better or not is completely subjective. I have to keep reminding myself that some of the people I’m comparing myself to do this full time and have more experience and have been going for much longer than I have. 

With blogging, it does take a lot of content and patience to build a level of awareness around yourself and there really is nothing to speed that up; it’s just the nature of the industry. Especially now with so many amazing bloggers, there’s a lot of competition, so growing your influence is a slower process than it may have been a few years ago.

What I realised in thinking all this is that I started doing this because I enjoyed it. I started it without any pressure or with any means to an end, but purely because it was something I wanted to try my hand at.

There is nothing to say I am better or worse than any other blogger or Instagram influencer. Everyone has their own other time constraints and everyone is moving at their own speed and creating their own sort of content.

Luckily what I find when I do attend events and find time to socialise with other bloggers, is that this scene is generally very positive and supportive which is always helpful. It’s always great to hear other blogger’s journey and experiences of how they’ve got to where they are to help put my progress into perspective.

I’m generally quite critical of myself and have never been one to find positive thinking easy at all - I've always been a glass half empty sort of gal.

But that’s not to say that my perception of what I’m doing is necessarily accurate. There may be some who read this that are looking to my milestone and hoping to hit it within the near future and seeing my successes as motivation.

So I'm now consciously turning my negative ‘why am I not there yet’ into ‘how can I get there’. It’s about positive ways to improve my content while remembering my successes, how my content is my own and how it is not necessarily comparable to others.

When it comes to life, it is easy to compare yourself to others and it’s easy for admiration to turn to jealousy or even bitterness. At age 24, I have quite a few friends that have taken different routes in their lives, whether it’s starting a family, chasing a career or travelling the world. 

These are all paths I admire and there are certain achievements my friends have that I would like to someday have as well.

But just because I don’t have them right now doesn’t mean I never will. With the fear of sounding too philosophical or ‘fake deep’ - we are all moving at different paces and moving towards different goals, or even the same goals just in a different way.

There are some things that I know my friends and others have done that I haven’t, but this also works the other way. It’s key to look over other people's achievements as separate from yours, and if anything they can act as a motivation for your future.

Celebrate other’s achievements and don’t let that happiness for your friends successes turn into envy as to why you haven’t done the same. Work hard and motivate yourself to reach your goals instead of sitting on negativity that isn't good for you or your mental health.

It's hard to do but important to remember that there isn’t a right or wrong way to live your own life. If you're moving towards a goal, no matter how slow, it's a move in the right direction and a reason to focus on what you are doing and no one else.

How I Work On My Body Confidence

I've been thinking about writing a post like this for a while, but now I think it's more relevant than ever now it's hit peak summertime and Instagram is constantly awash with bikini pictures and perfectly sculpted bodies on the beach.

And with no way of avoiding Love Island, that's giving us a whole hour a night of unrealistic body standards with their cast of beautiful and arguably undiverse cast not seeming to have anyone there over a size 8.

Body confidence is a real issue for women with today's standards, and even though I'm a size 10 I'm a curvy 10. I have boobs as well as bum and hips and I always will do.

Even though I'm not conventionally 'big' and fit into conventional beauty standards, even then I've not always been happy with the way I look. Like most girls and women out there I've tried fad diets and considered if I ever would change anything about myself with surgery.

At 24 I'm still not 100% happy with my body but I'm getting there. Luckily nowadays there is more of a discussion about this expectation on women and how these ideas are developing younger and younger due to social media.

I think it's important to remember body positivity is something that needs to be constantly worked at and kept up, and it is hard to realign the way you think about yourself...and without sounding too 'airy fairy' it really is important to love yourself.

There will always be that barrage of beauty standards that only a small percentage fits that you are constantly told you're not close enough to. Sadly, that's not going to stop anytime soon - even if the parameters of beauty are widening pressures are still going to be there on having to look a certain way.

So I thought I'd put together some pointers on how I worked on my body image and helped improve my confidence in myself as well as how other people I know have done the same. Of course these aren't a quick fix or a one size fits all problem solver - but they could be an important start! 

Know Your Body

This one really is the most important. It might sound and feel a bit odd to do, but that's why it's so important - because it's something people tend not to do.

After you shower just stand in the mirror and look at yourself, really look at your body so you know what it looks like. And no, it's not like the images in magazines but it's still beautiful. Try and find three things you love and focus on that and not the negatives you might usually get hung up on.

image credit

This also means to listen to your body, if you're tired or your hungry then have a sleep or have some food - never deprive yourself of anything. 

Running that extra mile or leaving out those extra calories won't help your mental health. If your body is telling you that it's not right, then listen. Because one thing you can't forget it how body confidence is so inherently linked to mental health and well-being.

Ditch The Scales

This is a hard one, because I was a victim of this in a big way. I used to weigh myself everyday and stress over gaining the tiniest bit of weight, and it became a bit obsessive.

Since I've stopped doing it, I've been happier with myself, because I know the choices I make are still healthy. I do a lot of home cooking with fresh ingredients and I get out and exercise fairly regularly - and that should be what really matters.

You end up worrying about what you're doing 24/7 instead of enjoying a nice meal with friends or that glass of something after a stressful day. Weight fluctuation is normal, checking the scales daily to micromanage your weight isn't healthy for your mind or your idea of your body.

Your health is important, your weight isn't.

Treat Yourself

That means do what makes you feel good in your own skin. As I said before, body positivity is so closely linked to mental health and happiness. Look after your mind and your body because it's all linked and that's really the biggest key to a better body image.

So that means if you fancy pizza get it - don't worry about the calories just enjoy the carby goodness.

Get yourself that dress that is a little expensive but you look really good in, because so what? You have to spare that extra bottle of prosecco at the weekend...but it's worth it. Because you look good and if you feel good in what you wear then you'll obviously feel happier about the body underneath.

Have A Break On Social Media

If you've tried all the above and you're still finding it hard to find anything positive, then try to identify where the negativity is coming from and try to remove it.

With a lot of girls, it tends to be instagram and social media. So just give it a break, take up reading or watch a box set to fill the time you use on social media and see if that helps.

Talk To Someone

If you feel it's really affecting you, remember to reach out to someone and talk about it. It's surprising how many other people feel the same way, and it helps to share experiences and realise you're not alone.

Even consider counselling if you're not comfortable talking to friends and family. Counselling is seen as a last resort for someone who is having extreme issues and needs help, but I don't think that should be the case.

It can be a way to positively change the way you think and help to change how you perceive yourself and the world, and that doesn't have to be done as a last resort at all.

Body confidence is hard to achieve and it's something that needs constant work. There's never going to be a quick fix, but there's always a place to start, because everyone deserves to love themselves and the body they're in.



(note: all these amazing drawings are not my own!)

How I Blog On A Budget

As well as being very time consuming, blogging can also be quite expensive. As much as I love doing my blog, it can be quite tough when it comes to doing it on a budget.

I try to share at least one outfit a day, and only get two images from one look – which means I need at least four new outfits a week to share…which can be difficult.

I’ve had friends ask me how to I afford it and how much money I spend a month on clothes because I’m never wearing the same thing twice, in reality I don’t spend as much as it seems because I have to be quite canny with how I plan and buy clothes.

So I thought I’d do a blog post on how I manage my money with clothes, because sometimes social media makes it look as if everyone has endless amounts of cash when in reality I don’t I’ve just learnt to manage it to look like I do!

Second Hand Clothing

Depop and eBay is frankly an absolute god send when it comes to saving me money. You can see me regularly trekking down to the post office with several parcels of my old clothes that I’m selling on my accounts.

I tend to use buy it now on eBay so I can just leave my items on there and wait until the interest starts.

Skirt - Depop and bag - eBay...second hand is best!

It can feel quite admin heavy, but it’s so helpful to keep me afloat on a short-term basis, and any money I get from selling old stuff I tend to reinvest in a new piece.

Plus it’s handy to keep my wardrobe in a good condition, because at the rate I buy clothes I can quickly find myself fighting to put something in my drawers or wardrobe because they’re overspilling…which means it’s time for a new eBay clear out!

Budget Friendly Shopping

I love the quality and high fashion pieces of shops like Topshop and Zara, but I try and save these shops to a piece that is more of an investment or treat rather than trend led pieces.

Trend led outfit that is all PLT and I love the outfit and it probably cost maximum £35 in total!

The pieces that Zara and that ilk of shop hold are beautiful and I wish I could shop exclusively there sometimes, but they don’t make your money go as far as I need it to go on a budget.

So if there’s a trend that I don’t think I’ll wear past this month, I’ll look for a similar piece in a more budget friendly store such as Missguided or Pretty Little Thing.

If there’s a trend led piece in Topshop that isn’t on Missguided, give it a few weeks and I can pretty much guarantee they’ll have made a VERY similar piece for half the price…all hail fast fashion.

Excel It Out

This is a tip that can really be used in any walk of life, not necessarily in terms of buying clothes. Budgeting can’t be done without a hard budget every month. And I’m talking spreadsheets galore and all that sort of boring and tedious (but necessary) adult living.

I have a spreadsheet on my computer and note section on my phone that lists what I have as regular outgoings each month from bills to savings and see what I have left.

Another Depop fave (bodysuit) that cost £5 and has had SO MUCH wear!

I then estimate a budget for all social events I have on for that month from meals out to birthdays to see what I have left over for clothes.

This does tend to mean I have to be strict, but it’s the only way I get to do what I love and do it as well as I want to!

Shop Savvy

That means don’t impulse buy, sit on something for a few days and make sure you really do want it…and be brutal when you receive something and it’s not exactly what you wanted. If you don’t love it, send it back and find something you do love.

If you want to splurge, do so on an investment piece...like this Zara suit.

When it comes to buying online, there’s always constant offers. My top tip is there’s usually more discounts and offers on towards the end of the month, when everyone else is short on cash and the shops are trying to persuade everyone to use their last bit of money until the next payday.

So it might be hard, but try not to splurge everything on payday and hold on to some spare cash for those mid-month deals to help that money go just that little bit further.

There’s No Shame In Discount Codes

Discount codes are always a life saver. If you’re looking to buy online, do a quick google search to see if there are any codes available for when you’re buying.

Or another sneaky way to find discount codes is to search the tagged pictures on the Instagram of the brand you’re looking to buy from.

Quite often, brands give bloggers that they’ve sent clothes to personalised discount codes to help promote the brand to their followers. You can easily find these in the tagged images and try them out – it happens more often that you think and helps you having to trawl endlessly through Instagram for a code.

It can still be a bit of a squeeze, but it is possible to make your money go further when you’re on a budget like myself. And never forget the wonders of styling and restyling items in ways that makes them look brand new again.

Because looking great doesn’t have to break the bank!

How I Shoot For Instagram

I’ve been working on my Instagram for about six months now, and I’m really enjoying it. It was something I always wanted to try but was unsure whether I could do it and now I’ve started it and seen it grow, I’ve got a real sense of achievement from it.

I wanted to share exactly how I shoot, because before I started it was something I was really curious about with the various accounts I saw and something I was always interested to know!

Unlike quite a few other bloggers I follow, I’m not a student and I don’t do blogging full time – I work a normal 9-5 job doing marketing for a wholesale fashion brand.

Me unhelpfully art directing my boyfriend

This does make shooting a bit difficult, just because between working 35 odd hours a week and still having a life there’s not much time to get some images!

I think the most important thing to make the most of your time is planning. I learned this from doing photoshoots with my job, that it can all be very hectic and if you don’t know exactly what you’re doing it can be a bit of a mess.

So with this in mind, I try to plan outfits and what locations to shoot them in and what accessories I’ll put with them. I try not to shoot more than three outfits in one go, because my boyfriend is the photographer and it can get a bit tiresome – and you can really tell in the images!

Cropped detail picture

With each outfit, I try to get a full length and cropped shot so I can have one that shows off my full outfit and one that can show off the details.

I don’t currently have a professional camera, but I’m researching and hoping to buy one very soon (any suggestion of good models would be appreciated!) so at the minute I just use my iPhone 6 to shoot, which does have a few limitations.

Full outfit shot

Now it’s summer, the longer daylight hours are a lifesaver…I started Instagram in November so we only had weekends to work around and it was a lot to do. But now the evenings are longer, I’m able to get home and chill out and still get one or two outfits done in the evenings we’re free which makes things a lot easier.

If you ever see a nice photo opp, then take the picture - selfie or otherwise!

If you don’t have anything in particular you want or need to get shot, it’s handy to take images on your phone (and have your boyfriend there to take them) because when you’re just ready to go out somewhere you can always get a good snap to share on Instagram.

What I didn’t realise, is how many shots it can take to get the right look. I’m pretty critical, so if my necklace is a bit wonky or my hair is out of place I will need another image – and don’t even get me started on people in the background...

One of the many reject pictures where I was NOT ready.

But don’t be afraid to take loads of images until you’re happy with the final product – because once you’ve got changed and moved from location you can’t get another picture, and that is real levels of frustration.

It can be hard, especially as my boyfriend as much as I appreciate what he does, he doesn’t have any photography experience. So it’s all a big learning curve to try and art direct and perfect what I’m seeing in my head. Plus all those photos on my phone DEFINITELY makes me look like a narcissistic psycho for anyone who sees my camera roll who doesn’t know what I do…

The endless images of myself in my deleted images...

Now this part may not be shooting per se, but editing is really key and can make or break a photo in my opinion.

I’ve started using a dusty retro filter on my images recently, and I’m really in love with the difference its made to my images. But as well as that, making sure my images are light enough and the colours really pop is so important. Google’s SnapSeed is a real lifesaver for editing and is the best out there in my experience!

before editing...

After editing

I’m still learning and adapting how I work, as I’m still relatively new to this! But I hope this is helpful to someone out there who’s thinking of starting blogging or Instagram. Just do it or you’ll only regret it!

My Summer Wishlist: Co-ords & Two Pieces

1. Topshop Floral Print Wide Leg Suit

(Not my own image – property of Topshop)

I just love love LOVE this suit…it’s been a while since I’ve treated myself to a real stand out Topshop piece but I’m very tempted with this co-ord.

I’ve been looking for a perfect pyjama style suit since the warmer weather’s been coming – they’re so relaxed and I think are more comfortable in the warmer weather than more structured suits.

I’d work this with my trusty Fila trainers and a bumbag with a slogan tee to edge up the feminine florals.

Find this suit on Topshop here

2. Missguided White Side Stripe Suit

 (Not my own image – property of Missguided)

I already have a pair of sporty popper trousers from Miss Pap which I really love, so this suit is just a perfect move on from that style.

I really like the sporty stripes featuring on a lot of items at the minute with the athluxe trend, and this style in the crisp white is so gorgeous.

Find this suit on Missguided here and here

3. Lola May Black Flower Print Co-Ord

(Not my own image – property of Lola May)

This look is just so summery, Lola May do so many pieces that are exactly my style and I’m obsessed with this two piece for my holiday to Croatia in July.

I love co-ords because you can really get so much wear out of them; wearing them together or separately. I know that top would become a real wardrobe staple of mine with or without the skirt which is just a bonus!

Find this co-ord on Lola May here

4. Pretty Little Thing Cycle Short Co-Ord

 (Not my own image – property of Pretty Little Thing)

I’m really feeling this cycle short trend at the minute, and anything in a nude or neutral palette is really catching my eye.

I’m not 100% sure if this look will suit me, as it’s a bit out of my usual style but with PLT being so reasonably priced, I’m more than happy to give it a go!

I’d pair this with trainers and an oversized denim jacket for a real Kim K sort of vibe.

Find this two piece on Pretty Little Thing here and here

5. Missy Empire Asher Lilac Co-Ord

 (Not my own image – property of Missy Empire)

Lilac really is the colour of the moment, and this two piece is so gorgeous. Pastels really work on my skin because I’m paler, and wide leg trousers are a really flattering fit so it’s always a winner!

Because it’s quite simple, you can really dress this look up or down with some accessories and killer heels or just with a casual jacket for day to day.

Find this co-ord on Missy Empire here

6. Zara Peplum Style Yellow Suit

 (Not my own image – property of Zara)

Yellow is everywhere at the minute, and if you’ve been following me on my Instagram you’ll remember THAT yellow puffa that I could not let go of over winter.

Now I’ve fully grieved that it’s too warm to wear that for a little while…I need a new yellow obsession and this suit is perfect.

It’s a bit more structured than the other two suits I’ve listed, but the bright mustard yellow with the peplum details just sets it apart and I’m obsessed with it!

Find this suit on Zara here and here

My Top 5 Summer Trends 2018

Finally summer has made an arrival, leading to the whole of the UK spending the whole weekend getting burnt and enjoying the sun (and some beers) the best way we do.

So, to celebrate the sun finally showing its face, I've put together my top five summer trends from this year so far!

Checks

Checks have been around for a little while as a trend, but it's showing no signs of stopping for SS18. I really like checks as they're really versatile and easy to dress up or down.

But unlike the prince of wales style that was all over the fashion world for A/W, brands like Versace and Balenciaga filled the catwalks bold and clashing bright checks.

It's the younger and flashier version of the grey and muted checks of last season...and I'm into it!

Clashing Brights

It's not just checks that have had a real colour overhaul for this summer. The sunshine is always a big reason to get people their grey and dark winter uniform in exchange for some brights, but SS18 is all about the colour.

I love a good bright outfit, and I'm obsessed with the colour clashing trend that this season has brought. It looks a bit scary, but is surprisingly wearable and easy to pull off.

Mini Sunglasses

This year, Kim Kardashian confessed that Kanye emailed her to let her know that big sunglasses were out and tiny sunglasses were in.

So...ever one to follow the fashion advice of Kim K, I'm really into the small sunglasses look. With the sun only just showing it's face, I haven't invested in as many smaller sunglasses as I'd like but I've got a wishlist of quite a few for when proper summer hits...

Corduroy

Cord might give you flashbacks of dodgy vintage jackets and geography teachers, but cord has been brought back by the fashion houses on the runway this season. And frankly, if it's good enough for Prada then I'm sold.

Think wide leg and bright colours in a androgynous style for the best way to wear this material for summer.

Suits

I've always been one for a co-ord, so with the 80s style influence coming along and bringing power suits with them I was pretty happy.

Plus, with a suit you can get double the wear with the outfit by wearing the blazer and trousers seperately - so it's win win really!

This look is easy to dress up or down - but I do prefer this look with a slogan tee and chunky trainers for a real up to date style that is soo me for 2018.

Gender Inequality In Fashion

I love fashion and always have, and I love that it is an industry that is focussed around women, but the fashion industry has always been detrimental to us as a gender. It has always defined beauty and the way women should look - and it was defined that women should be slim, perfectly made up and predominantly white.

I think that in today’s society that is changing, and with the rise of Instagram there has become an easier way for women of different backgrounds, size and race to come to the forefront of the fashion world.

I’ve always held feminist values close to my heart, even before I really knew what it was, and I think it’s important to be aware and highlight the issues in every industry – even fashion.

Despite fashion being an industry that is built around women and marketed almost completely to women, the inequality within fashion when it comes to fashion designers is still very prevalent.
A study taken on the CFDA awards (think ‘the Oscars’ of the fashion world) show that between the years 1981 and 2013, 98 men have received an award, compared to only 29 women.

In fashion it’s referred to as the glass runway - where women in fashion find it much harder than men to rise to the top in their career. When it comes to the CEOs of top labels and fashion houses, there are very few that are women.

As I mention previously, fashion creates a problematic ideal of beauty which is damaging to so many women who consume it from high fashion to teenagers on social media, causing depressing, anxiety and eating disorders.

It is this creation of women as objects of male desire which inevitably increases the risk of sexual harassment in the industry. With the Me Too movement relevant in fashion as well, with men such as Terry Richardson able to work for many years with huge fashion names despite multiple public allegations towards him.

But it is changing, with Conde Nast refusing to work with Richardson as of 2017, and the fashion industry increasingly moving towards diversifying the runways and the top level jobs within the industry.

So on International Women’s Day I thought it was appropriate to write something short, but very relevant, to me and a lot of people who I follow on Instagram.

As women we have the power to change this industry, and it is slowly changing as attitudes are changing and people come to realise that the current way things are run isn’t right, and we have a voice to make a change.

I want to end on a positive note, that everyone reading this has a power to make a difference. So here’s to 2018…the year where women should support women and the year that we should make sure we turn around and speak out when we see something that isn’t right because we have that power.

And most importantly, Happy International Women’s day!

Getting Cosy - My Fave Winter Knits

So, here it is! My very first blog post...

I've been thinking and thinking about what I should make my first post about, and I then realised I really was over complicating it all and stressing my self out about it far too much!

So for my first ever post, I decided to go for something easy, cosy and something that (hopefully) will be an enjoyable read for everyone. A list of my favourite jumpers from this season!

I love a good jumper, they're snuggly, warm and pretty effortless. So if I find a jumper that makes you look good while putting in 0 effort - then I know i'm going to essentially be living in it all winter.

It's January...Christmas is gone so now all winter has to offer is dark morning and nights, constant storms and it's all just a little bit depressing.

So give yourself and your wardrobe a little self care and splash out on some new knits to help you make it to Spring. And to help you do just that, here is a list of my faves...

I'm obsessed with this jumper, it's so soft and the colbalt shade is just amazing! I got it sale shopping in Zara (after I stumbled into the full priced section) and have been finding different ways to wear it ever since - find it here.

 I was looking for a chenille jumper for ages when I came across this lovely jumper from boohoo. It's another gorgeous colour and it was pretty decently priced with it being boohoo. 

It's a slightly cropped fit which isn't always my sort of thing, but despite that I'm very much in love with this jumper! Find similar ones here

As you can probably guess, I've been into bold colours with my knitwear recently. And when I saw this fluffy Bershka jumper with balloon sleeves I really fell in love.

I'm a massive fan of red - I think it just works on me and this jumper has kept me so cosy all winter!

This is my latest addition to my knitwear collection, I loved the funnel neck shape with the flared style sleeves...not to mention the lace up back detailing.

Find it on Topshop here!


So time to get to the shops and treat yourself to some ultimate comfort knits to get you through these bleak winter months!