NEW YEAR, NEW ME?

Can you believe it's aaalllmost 2018?!? Just one more day and we'll be starting a whole new year with fresh opportunities and what some may see as a fresh start. 

I always take the last few days of the year to reflect on the ending year and think about what I want to come out of the new year ahead. Making 'resolutions ' in the traditional sense isn't really my thing because honestly, I know I'll only stick to it for the first week or two if that! 

However, I do know that I what I want to come out of every year is for me and my loved ones to be happy and healthy. As cheesy as it sounds, its the truth.  

For 2018 in particular, I hope to have the motivation and determination I need to finish my degree and get a job that I will love. I hope to also bring one of my major projects and possible future business to life. This is the year of career building.

"New year, new me?" Hell ono, New year ,same old me but MOTIVATED I say!  I've been lacking that these past few months but its time to shake off the feeling and get busy with it!

For people who do make resolutions here are a few tips to ensure you stick with them whether it be following a diet, exercising or anything else:
1. Be Realistic
2. WRITE THEM DOWN
3. Review them often to ensure you're staying on target
4. Make milestones to achieve the wider goal
5. ACHIEVE THEM!

2017 has had its major ups and downs which I'm sure everyone else feels too, so with that, I wish you all more ups in 2018 and to always remember to keep persevering and achieving your dreams.  

Happy New Year lovelies! 
(Here are a couple pics from my recent trip to Holland, whole look from pull and bear) 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Merry Christmas my beauties! Wishing you all a wonderful festive season, may all your wishes and dreams come true. Lord knows its been a rollercoaster of a year, but I am grateful for it all! Bring on 2018.

Love,
Mimi <3 

 Whole outfit from H&M, Heels from Public Desire!

CURRENT REALITY

Ever wonder where all the time goes? This time last year I was literally sat on my "secret" beach taking in my last few days of Miami...sigh :( 
 On top of that depressing thought, I'm looking back at my blog this year and seeing how little I posted which is quite sad! 

Although blogging is my get away, it still takes a lot of time and effort to build content. Despite my plan to 
spend the summer building up my blog, here we are knee deep in winter and still no movement. I have come to the realisation of 2 things when it comes to blogging: 

1. BLOGGING IS A FULL TIME JOB.  I blog for me, because I enjoy it and sometimes life gets in the way and I get too busy, sometimes too busy to dress up cute all the time (85% of the time I'm in sweat pants at my desk - photographic evidence to the right, laundry basket and all!) or if I do I'm not thinking about having a photoshoot or its an outfit thats already been up (Yes, I repeat outfits - thanks to my washing machine!). Sometimes I do get the chance to get the photos but then I end up not posting it because by the time I'm ready, England and it's radical weather tell me I can't! (It becomes "out of season"). So hats off to all my regular bloggers out there!

2. PRIORITISE & DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. Lesson two leads on from lesson 1, blogging may be my happy place but I have to prioritise and right now thats what I'm doing and sadly Glam Chowder cannot get much of my attention, buuuuut in the same breath I have learnt that you need to take time to do what you love. Therefore my beloved blog, hang in there and hopefully sooner rather than later I can put you first and build lots of content in the New Year. But this is not a promise or a plan - refer to lesson 1 - its a go with the flow and hopefully the flow is in my favour! 

In other news, with all the stress and other stuff going on in my life I decided to come home early for Christmas break, theres nothing momma's cuddles can't fix - am I right!? Being home and in the country side especially in winter is literally the best! I don't do it often but walking in the fields (sadly I always miss the sheep!) is super refreshing and helps clear my head - I defs recommend. 

Sooo wrapping up this long post, which I often know what structure I'm taking before writing but not this time, I just typed my little fingers away so apologies if its random but I just needed to let it all out and thats just how these things go ahah. 

Right, I shall end with a quick quote and then its back to the books for me. 

"God will never give you anything you can't handle, so don't stress."
- Kelly Clarkson

SCARILY BORING HALLOWS EVE

HAPPY HALLOWEEN YOU GUYS!! BOY , HOW I'VE MISSED YOU!! 

I just wanted to drop in and say hello, you know, dust off the old cob webs on this blog! Also, I'm trying not to get too depressed because what a bloody difference a year makes! This time last year, I was living the high life in Miami, seaside events with gin and tonics or a glass of bubbles always in-hand and surrounded by such beautiful vibrant people, celebrating this fun and exciting day!

 Today, one entire year later, however, I'm sat here surrounded books on books, paper on paper, tear after tear(jk, those haven't come..yet!) and wearing about a thousand layers. 

LOL 

But honestly... who knew when I said I was going to crack on with final year I ACTUALLY would?!  Ahaha 

I guess this is God's balance, it can't allllllways be fun and games :( 

Anyway before I start waffling, shall we reminisce together? If your answer is yes then SCROLL DOWNNNNNN NOWWWWWWWW!

Don't forget to like GlamChowder on Facebook and follow moi on Instagram  @xMariaYx 

xoxo

Still Aliiiivee!

SURPRISE ITS MEEEEE!

I cannot believe that the last time I posted was APRIL! Crazy, how you try to plan things but life just gets in the way, huh?! This was the summer I was really going to focus on my blog and build it up etc buuuuut ever heard that saying "God laughs when people try to plan" something like that anyway, well - God is probably laughing and rolling on the floor at my previous plans. 

I got busy but I'm here now!

If you don't follow my instagram or snapchat then you probably won't know that I was away for two weeks in the one and only Baliiii, Indonesia. It is absolutely beautiful there and the people are even more beautiful, such warm and welcoming souls that became our bestie by the end of the trip. I'll try get a post ASAP showing you what we did while we were there cos I tell ya, we were busy little bees. 

I literally overpacked so much for this holiday, most of it being super fancy stuff but I ended up being in either a bikini or shorts and a tank the whole time so my blogging volumes went out the window... I probably wore a full face of make up once or twice, it was just such a nice, relaxing environment plus everyone always looks better with a tan so make up wasn't necessary! 

Here's one of the nights I did decide to dress up then ended up just having dinner at the hotel - typical! I tried out that 'Shein' website and out of 4 items 3 were decent so its not all bad, just be weary of sizing! 

In other news, I'm about to start my final year of uni so if I disappear again at least now you'll know why!  xoxoxo

UNIFORM

Hello my loves, I just want to remind you all that you're oh so beautiful and to embrace every second that you are on this Earth! <3

The sun has been blessing us here in Madrid the last few weeks, well kind of - it seems to be playing us right about now and disappearing - but I've found a uniform to keep me cool on the not so sweltering days and for the cooler evenings. 

This bag. I bet you can’t guess where its from.  I’ll give you a hint. Starts with Prim and ends with Ark. Yup! Primarni did amazing with this surprisingly quality bag, I can’t stop using it. It’s color is perfect for spring (and my love for mustard) plus its just the right size. I wish they had it in more colors!!!

Xoxo

PRIMARK SHIRT
ZARA JEANSPRIMARK BAG
PUBLIC DESIRE SANDALS

PINAFORE AND MORE

Hello my beauties,

Can you tell I’m on a bit of a once a week post roll!?! Get me! 

This week’s post is all about mixing the old with the new! Everything I’m wearing I’ve had for a few months, the shoes have been worn and worn to death –especially in Miami, they’re SO comfy I can’t even begin to tell you. Definitely on the best buy list-in fact, I just bought another pair cos frankly these are now being pushed to their limits lol. 

The only thing new here is the bag, which I know I always say I’m obsessed but obsession doesn’t even fit the way I feel about this bag. It is EVERYTHING. I just HAD to have it (like with everything else) but seriously, what a better way to pick up an outfit and make it current than with a subtle statement bag. LOVE.  I rarely go into Mango, its just not really my style but I was honestly ready to buy all their little shoulder bags….only my student budget didn’t allow it.But I definitely recommend!

Let me know what you think of this look, I thought it was fun and ‘young’ with a cheeky back to school look. This evening spring weather is all about layering but definitely not cold enough for a coat so I keep reaching for sleeved shirts.

Everything (or similar items) are linked below as always :) 

Hope you like it!

 Xoxox

 

I stuck some blue eyeliner on my water line, super cute! 

Peep that highlighttttt 

TOMMY HILFIGER SHIRT (similar)

H&M PINAFORE (similar)

MANGO BAG

PUBLIC DESIRE HEELS (sold out)