Lifestyle | Let's Start Again in 2019

It's fair to say that the latter end of 2018 has been a bit hectic. I've moved in with Johnny, upped my hours at work and dove head first into my second year of uni. When you add the likes of Christmas into the mix it's easy to see how time can run away with itself. And what happens when life gets busy busy? Blogging has to take a backseat. 

I've grown a lot during the time I've been writing Yours, Chloe. I started blogging at the age of fourteen and have shared my journey into adulthood through the typed word. I've documented leaving school, taking a gap year and moving to uni, and shared the other adventures the past six years have brought along the way.

The type of content I'm making has changed over the years. I've moved away from beauty and fashion posts and started in a new direction which focuses on lifestyle, home and mental well-being with the odd adventure added in here and there. I want to create content that I'm passionate about; content I'm proud to post on this little corner of the internet.

One of my new years resolutions for 2019 is to really get back to this passion of mine. To get back to writing regular, high quality and insightful content. I also want to reignite my passion for blogging, a passion which has been somewhat knocked by the constant pressures surrounding blogging and how to be 'successful'.

2019 is going to be the year that I redefine what blogging success means to me. It doesn't mean having the biggest following or an inbox which overflows with brand opportunities, it means writing regular content which I'm proud of and connecting with a community of like-minded positive people.

So without further ado, I'm ever so glad to welcome you back to Yours, Chloe and I do hope you'll stay. If you have a spare five minutes, why don't you make yourself a hot drink (I myself are quite partial to a fudge hot chocolate) and delve into the history of my rambles. Here are a handful of my favourite posts to get you started:

Slow Weeks By The Sea | On Finding Confidence In Front Of The Camera | The Importance of Avoiding Comparison in Blogging | Twenty Things I've Learnt In Twenty Years | Is It Right To Feel Envious As A Blogger? | Is There A Right Age To Get Married? 5 Things To Do When You're Feeling Overwhelmed | The Power of The Great Outdoors

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Blogmas | 3 Charity Campaigns To Get Involved With This Christmas

It's very easy to get swept up into a bit of a whirlwind at Christmas. Your mind is focused on present shopping, cooking feasts and decorating your house until it looks like Santa's workshop itself. We're all guilty of letting this Christmas craziness keep our minds focused on us and our own families, but it is so important to remember that Christmas is a time of giving; a time of helping others in need. 

Today I wanted to share with you three wonderful charity campaigns taking place this December, all of which it is super easy to get involved with. There are a whole host of other campaigns taking place nationally and locally to you, so I really urge you to take the time to consider the ways you can do your bit to spread the Christmas spirit and help the people who need it most.

Christmas Jumper Day 2018

This years Christmas Jumper Day for Save The Children is taking place on Friday 14th December. The concept is simple: wear a Christmas jumper to work/school/just around the house and make a donation to Save The Children. It's a lovely way to get in the Christmas spirit whilst doing your bit for a wonderful cause. You could go down the traditional route, pick something sparkly or embrace the daft and ugly; the choice is yours. I'm going to be wearing my Christmas jumper on the 14th, are you?

You can find more info about this wonderful campaign here.

Reserve A Place At Crisis This Christmas

Crisis is an amazing UK charity which helps to rebuild the lives of homeless people, supporting them to be permanently out of homelessness. Their ultimate aim is to end homelessness completely. Their Christmas campaign asks you to donate money to support them in their efforts to help people take their first steps out of homelessness this Christmas. A donation of £28.18 gives a homeless person three hot meals (including a Christmas dinner), a bed for the night, the chance to shower and put on fresh clothes and health checks from a doctor, dentist and optician, as well as advice on things like housing and employment, addiction and mental health support, and access to Crisis' year-round education, training and support. The fact that you can offer a person in need so much with a donation of less than £30 is truly amazing.

You can find more info about this wonderful campaign here.

Cash For Kids - Mission Christmas

Each year, Cash For Kids hold an amazing toy appeal in the UK. In the craziness of our own Christmas celebrations, it's unfortunately easy to forget just how many children in this country face the prospect of waking up on Christmas morning with nothing to open. This campaign asks you to do your bit to help combat this by making a donation of just a single unwrapped gift, which will be wrapped and delivered to a child in need near you. There are thousands of drop-off points around the UK (including selected B&M stores and all branches of Wickes, Harveys and Bensons For Beds). It's a wonderful way to really make a difference close to home this Christmas.

You can find more info about this wonderful campaign here.

It's important to remember that you don't have to give a lot to make a difference, so even if you can only afford to donate a small amount it will still really help to support people in need. 

How are you going to be supporting good causes this Christmas?

Catch up on my Blogmas posts:
Day 1: My Christmas Bucket List
Day 2: What I'm Asking Santa For This Year

Blogmas | What I'm Asking Santa For This Year

With the countdown to Christmas well and truly on, I've been having a good think about what I'd love to be gifted this year.  To the joy of my family, I've always been crazily organised when it comes to my Christmas list. I hate the feeling of being asked what you'd like for Christmas or birthdays and being completely speechless, so I start compiling a list earlier in the year and pop anything on it that catches my eye in the run up to Christmas. This definitely makes my family's job of shopping for me easier, as they don't have to second-guess what I'd love to see under the tree this year.

So without further ado, here's what I've included on my letter to Santa this year:

"Little Fires Everywhere" by Celeste Ng

This book first caught my eye when it was reviewed by one of the many book bloggers I follow and it's been on my to-read list ever since. I like getting my teeth into books which look at complex family dynamics and this novel seems like the perfect fit.

This is available online from Amazon here from £4.80

Busy B Birds Couples Calendar 2019

No Christmas wishlist would be complete without a little bit of stationery now would it? I'm a sucker for a good diary or notebook and this couples calendar is the best of both worlds. It has 4 columns, entitled "Me", "You", "Us" and "Birthdays". Just like the family planner that I bet your mum has in the kitchen (if she's anything like my mum, that is) but just for you and your significant other. Johnny and I have ever-changing uni/work/social routines so fingers crossed this addition to our kitchen wall will help to keep us both organised without much fuss at all. 

This is available online from John Lewis here for £9.00

Joanie 'Bronte Readers Club' Sweatshirt

Boy do I adore Joanie clothing. It would be quite easy for me to have nothing but their beautiful garments on my Christmas list, so I've been strict with myself and only included this beauty on my letter to Santa. A warm cosy jumper with a reading theme? That's the clothing dream right there.

This is available online from John Lewis here for £30.00

Cath Kidston Alpacas Lanyard Water Bottle

Does anyone else regularly buy new cute water bottles with the excuse that it might just encourage you to drink more? Join the club. And how cute are these alpacas? The perfect companion to your lunch box. Anything by the lovely people at Cath Kidston tends to be right up my street, but there's just something special about this water bottle that meant I couldn't resist including it on my Christmas list.

This is available online from Cath Kidston here for £14.00

Forever 21 Low Block Heel Pumps

A girl can never have too many pairs of shoes, now can she? I love shoes which give a bit of extra height - and make your legs look gorgeous as a result - but are still practical for everyday-wear. Enter these pumps. The almond shape toe adds a certain level of elegance and I love the look of the contrast stitch detailing.

This is available online from Forever 21 here for £20.00

Cath Kidston 'Otterly Amazing' A5 Softback Notepad

My inner stationery geek returns with yet another request, this time in the form of this lovely Cath Kidston notebook with one of the cutest puns I've ever heard. It's got real Disney vibes to it and would be the perfect companion for you to just pop in your bag for when you're on the go.

This is available online from Cath Kidston here for £7.00.

Rico Pack of Mini Yarn Pom Poms Christmas Mix

Johnny and I are moving into a nice new (and much bigger, thank goodness) flat in July so I'm slowly hoarding pretty decorative bits and bobs that I can use to make it all lovely and homely. I'm a sucker for a good pom pom garland and the colour of this mix is just gorgeous. And a Christmas decoration you can get away with keeping up all year round? Sign me up.

This is available online from Trouva here for £3.95

Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub

It wouldn't be a blogger's wish list without a beauty product would it? I've been crushing on the Frank Body scrubs for a long while now. They're so natural and I've heard rave reviews about the pamper they give your skin. This is ideal at this time of year, when your skin takes a real beating from the cold weather.

This is available online from Frank Body here for £12.95

What's on your Christmas list this year?

Catch up on my Blogmas posts:
Day 1: My Christmas Bucket List

Blogmas | My December Bucket List

Tis' the season of all things festive.

Christmas-time is a truly beautiful season but it is a stressful one in which there's lots of hustle and bustle and stress. We need to make sure to really take time to enjoy the holiday and it's festivities or you'll find that in the twinkle of a Christmas light, the season has just rushed on by.

In order to make sure I don't get lost in a sea of wrapping paper and mince pies, I thought it would be a jolly good idea to come up with a festive bucket list of things I want to do in the month ahead.

One: Visit a traditional Christmas market.
Although the dream of visiting a European Christmas market is a little out of reach this year, I'm hoping to enjoy the festive delights of a UK Christmas market or two. Sheffield has a beautiful Christmas market and I can't wait to wrap up warm and enjoy the gorgeous decorations, sweet treats and the gorgeous cinnamon scent. 

Two: Take a drive to look at all of the pretty Christmas lights in my local area.
This has always been one of the highlights of the Christmas period for me. I have so many beautiful memories of Christmas Eve family gatherings at my grandparents house followed by a long drive home, detouring to get a glimpse of houses full to the brim of festive lights.

Three: Write and post Christmas cards.
In this day and age it seems like most people have forgotten what a greetings card even is; it's become more about posting on a Facebook wall or sending a text. But I adore sending and receiving handwritten cards as they really show someone you care, which is so lovely at this time of year especially.

Four: Attend a carol concert. 
When I was a young-un, back in the primary school days, little old me sang every year in a carol service at Peterborough Cathedral as part of my school choir. That experience embedded in me the idea that Christmas isn't complete without a carol concert, so I'm really hoping I can attend one this year.

Five: Visit a handmade Christmas market.
You can't beat buying gifts from small and independent businesses; they're always so special and unique. A handmade market is the best place to pick up these gifts, alongside a cute new decoration or two.

Six: Listen to the Elvis Presley Christmas albums.
I'm a sucker for a good bit of Christmas music, and you'll definitely find it blasting from my headphones all throughout December. My all time favourite festive tunes are the Elvis Presley Christmas albums; a beautiful blend of carols and more modern Christmas hits from the king himself.

Seven: Burn some beautiful Christmas candles.
Yankee Candle, I'm coming for you! I can't wait to have my flat smelling of all things festive.

Eight: Bake some gorgeous festive treats.
I'm far from Mary Berry but I'm really hoping to find the time for a spot of Christmas baking. Maybe 'festive' rice krispie cakes will be as far as I go, but hey that's a start.

Nine: Go for lots of wintery walks.
This will be made even more perfect if we are blessed with snow this year, but regardless I absolutely adore bundling up warm and going for a long walk at this time of year.

Ten: Craft some of my own decorations for the tree.
Christmas is my favourite time to get my craft on. My inner magpie comes out at this time of year; a little bit of festive sparkle never hurt anyone. 

Eleven: Have a Christmas movie marathon
You can't beat a good Christmas movie or TV special. Love Actually is one of my favourite festive films and I can't wait to enjoy cosy evenings in with a hot drink and a burning fire.

Twelve: Try lots of festive hot drinks in my local coffee shops.
It's not Christmas without a festive hot chocolate or two is it? I'm a sucker for anything chocolate orange, so here's hoping that'll make an appearance on the Costa Christmas menu this year.

Thirteen: Purchase some festive PJs all ready for Christmas Eve.
My sister and I have a tradition of wearing matching PJ's on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and that tradition continues, even now we're all grown up. 

What are you hoping to do this December to get yourself in the festive spirit?

Lifestyle | Autumn/Winter Handbag Essentials

We're going real old school with today's blog post; it's an oldie but a goldie. Yes that's right, the classic 'What's In My Handbag' post returns.

There's a real private nature to a woman's handbag. Everyone seems to keep something different in theirs and I feel the content can really tell you a lot about the girl behind the bag. The contents of my handbag tends to change as we go through the seasons. Now that we're well into the colder months, there's a couple of bits and pieces I like to keep on my person at all times to keep me in tip-top condition, and we're going to have a good chat about them today.

I used to be one of those girls who carried around giant handbags packed full of almost everything they own. You know the drill: six lipsticks (none of which you're wearing that day), half of a supermarket snack aisle and loose change galore, surrounded by countless amounts of crap. But I just got a bit fed up with lugging everything around, so decided to downsize to something that only fitted the essentials.

My bag is a gorgeous vintage satchel style piece from Deena and Ozzy (at Urban Outfitters). I actually managed to nab it off eBay for just under £5 and it's been glued to my side ever since. The front flap doubles up as a purse, saving you space, and it fits all the necessary bits and bobs whilst looking super lovely.

1. Perfume/Body Spray
A girl's got to smell nice hasn't she? I'm currently in love with the Ted Baker body sprays which are beautiful floral scents which last forever and a day. My festive scent is still yet to be decided as I haven't found one I've fallen in love with, so if you have any recommendations for christmassy body sprays/perfumes, let me know! 

2. Loyalty Cards and Student ID
As we get closer to Christmas, life just seems to get that little bit more expensive doesn't it? Aside from the cost of present shopping, you have the typical social events that build up at this time of year which of course all cost a pretty penny. For this reason, being money savvy is key. I'm a sucker for a good discount; I hate paying for something when I know I could get it cheaper elsewhere/at another time. For this reason, I carry a whole host of loyalty cards around with me wherever I go, with Superdrug, Boots, Tesco and Costa being my most used. My Student ID is also a lifesaver and I use it alongside the UNIDAYS  app on my phone to nab myself a discount wherever possible. 

3. A Trusty Hand Cream

I don't know about you, but my hands are far from best friends with cold weather. For this reason, I like to keep a good hand cream within arms reach at all times during this time of year. My current go-to product is one I've recently reunited with: the Lush Charity Pot. If you're not familiar with this beauty of a product, it's that little tin you can spot when you're standing at the till at Lush with your arms laden with bath bombs and shampoo bars. The Charity Pot is a real treat for your skin as it's laden with more fantastic natural products than I can name, absorbs really quickly and is ever so lightweight. And the best part is the fact that 100% of the cost of the tins goes to good causes. Aren't Lush total gems.

4. The Lipstick Of The Day
"Give a girl the right lipstick and she can conquer the world" is a quote I well and truly believe in. I don't know about you, but if I pop on a bit of lippie I feel instantly more confident and ready to take on the day. At this time of year I'm a sucker for a red lip so you'll often find a trusty red shade hiding at the bottom of my bag, ready for the days touch ups.

5. My Headphones
I'll be honest, if I leave the house without my headphones I feel like I'm missing a limb. Music has always been a very important part of my life and I'm always listening to it when travelling to and from places. I also find my headphones to be really helpful if I find myself getting anxious when out and about as they help me to zone out so I can just focus on the music and my breathing.

What do you keep in your handbag at this time of year?

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Happy Mind | 4 Ways To Help Your Wellbeing Through Autumn

The Autumn/Winter months can be notoriously pants for our mental health and wellbeing. The re-appearance of the long season of dark, cold days can be tough to handle so it's really important you look after yourself and your mental health, at this time of year.

I don't know about you, but the reemergence of the dark and cold days has taken a real toll on my mental health and it's been trickier than normal to keep my mindset positive and healthy. For that reason, I've implemented a handful of things into my life in order to really look after my wellbeing and to help me through the darker months.

1. Look After Your Skin
The cold wind that rears its head again at this time of year can take a real toll on your skin, so it's important to really look after your skin and get into a regimented routine that aims to rehydrate your skin and gives it a bit of TLC. Having a pamper session each evening will not only be something your skin thanks you for, but the quiet 'me time' is something your wellbeing will thank you for too. Give yourself time in the evenings - whilst you complete your skincare routine - to reflect on the day, put behind you any negativity and look ahead to the brand new day which awaits you next morning.

2. Create A Cosy and 'Safe' Indoor Space
The colder months often call for more time spent indoors so it is important to make sure that at home you have a cosy space in which you feel safe and secure. You could give your room a little autumn makeover and dig out the cosy autumnal blankets or drape fairy lights all over the place; anything that creates a space you love.

3. Make Sure You're Drinking Water
Now we're no longer in the warmer months, it's likely that your water consumption has decreased; I know mine has. But staying fully hydrated is so key for both good physical and mental health, so it's important to make an extra effort at this time of year to get your daily dose of H2O. I treated myself to a new 1 litre bottle from Primark and now carry it with me wherever I go, and this has worked wonders on my water intake.

4. Spend Some Time In The Great Outdoors

The colder weather that Autumn brings tends to not make an adventure in nature all that appealing, but bundle up and get yourself out in the open air. I've spoken before on Yours, Chloe about the restorative power of the great outdoors on your mental health and it truly can make all the difference, especially in this rather gloomy season. A long walk can really rejuvenate you, and you also get all of the wonderful benefits of a good bit of exercise. 

How are you looking after yourself this Autumn?

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Thoughts | The Importance of Avoiding Comparison In Blogging

We live in the age of social media. An age rife with people sharing their 'insta-perfect' lives full of holidays to picturesque locations, flatlay food shots and daily flawless outfits and beauty looks. With the constant promotion of this 'perfect' lifestyle, it's easy to find yourself falling into the comparison trap.

The issue of comparison is even more prevalent within the blogging world, with it being such a naturally competitive industry that relies so heavily on social media presence. It's easy to be scrolling through social media and find yourself experiencing self-doubt as a result of the 'perfect' imagery you're seeing.

If you can put your hand up and say that you struggle with comparison within your blogging life, I can tell you that you're definitely in fine company. Comparison is an evil that plagues us all at one point or another and I myself have long struggled with comparing my content to that of others.

It's human nature to compare, but it can do more damage than good as it often leaves you feeling bogged down with negativity. So let's shine a light on the importance of self-belief, shall we?

Within blogging, a large amount of what makes your blog and your brand special is its uniqueness; readers don't want to see 101 bloggers all creating the same content and rocking the same look. We all have a special thing to bring to the world - be it a character trait, talent, special quality or anything in between - and it's that thing which makes you the bloody fantastic thing you are.

It's becoming way too common to see bloggers aiming to emulate the success of full-time influencers such as Zoella, and in doing so many bloggers change the style of their content or photography, moving away from the things that made their blog beautiful in the first place and becoming a little carbon copy of these 'big' bloggers.

At the end of the day, no good can ever come from comparing your life and your journey to another's. You are not the same person; you do not have the same dreams, talents, wishes and memories. These qualities all contribute to you being the unique, creative and brilliant person you are, don't ignore them because it's not what you're seeing other people do. You should be shouting about your uniqueness from the rooftops. Focus on yourself and your own personal path because you sweetie, are killing it.

“Another woman’s beauty is not the absence of your own beauty.”

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Lifestyle | My Autumn Bucket List

Autumn is one of my favourite seasons of the year. The forests are blooming with autumnal touches in hues of red, orange and brown, and the air is crisp and clear. It is the season of cosy nights in snuggled under a blanket; the season of hot drinks; the season where almost every sweet treat contains at least a hint of pumpkin spice.

This time of year can be a busy one. We enjoy the likes of Halloween and Bonfire Night, and we start prepping for the return of the festive season. Am I allowed to say the C word yet? But there's so much to enjoy in this season of crisp leaves and conkers, so I've decided to make a list of all of the things I want to do and see this Autumn.

1. Bundle up for long walks in the great outdoors.

The world is ever so beautiful at this time of year, with it's red, orange and brown hues and crisp wind. It makes me just want to bundle up and venture outside to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the scenery.

2. Try a 'pumpkin spice' flavoured hot drink.

I can practically hear people loosing their minds at the idea of me having reached twenty years old having never even taken a sip of a pumpkin spice drink. Can I really be a millennial? After seeing the pumpkin spice craze return year upon year, I've decided that Autumn 2018 will be the year I give it a try.

3. Have a Halloween movie night.

I'm not Halloween's biggest fan; I'll be honest. The idea of putting myself in situations designed to scare the heebie jeebies out of me, just does not appeal at all. But I like the concept of Halloween as celebrated when we were kids; with pumpkins, decorations and a sweetie or two. So this Halloween I'm planning a good ol' family friendly movie night, with Hocus Pocus of course being top of my list.

4. Give my home a cosy, autumnal makeover.

It's Autumn, let's bring out the cosy blankets, fall themed bedding and plenty of autumnal candles. I want to create the perfect space for cosy nights in with a hot drink and a movie.

5. Go out for a stroll to pick blackberries.
Picking blackberries is something I really associate with autumnal months during my childhood. I'd take our family dogs out for a long walk with my dad and pick blackberries along the way, which we'd then make into smoothies for a sweet after-tea treat. This is a seasonal traditional I have such fond memories of and this year I'd love to introduce Johnny to it.

What are you hoping to do this Autumn?

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Happy Mind | 4 Healthy Habits To Start This Autumn

September is such a promising month. Maybe it's due to the back-to-school anticipation that is embedded in us, even as adults, but I always feel so motivated when September pops it head around again. September also brings on the grand return of Autumn and it's crisp orange-toned joy.

The beginning of a new season is the perfect time to set into motion some of the healthy habits you're wanting to introduce into your life. Don't reserve the 'new me' mentality for new year, use it at the start of a brand new season too. Now is a good a time as ever to build a better, brighter and happier you. Is there any way of saying that without sounding like a motivational speaker?

Here a 4 healthy habits I'm going to be starting this Autumn, why don't you join me?

A Nutritious Start To The Day
I know I'm going to sound like your mum here, but it's true: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Giving yourself a nutritious, nourishing and filling meal to kick start your day, will leave you full of energy and ready to take on the day like a true girl boss. We all have our own breakfast preferences, with mine being a good ol' bowl of porridge and a glass of juice, and it's important to plan a breakfast you want to wake up to.

Aside from the nutritional value of breakfast, taking the time to have a morning meal helps to ensure you have a calm morning. As I'm far from a morning person, my mornings are known to have gone by in a bit of a rushed haze, but taking the time to sit down and enjoy a hearty breakfast helps to create a calm tone for the rest of the day.

Get Yourself Moving
My hands are up, I'll admit it: I'm far from a gym bunny. And we're talking fairytale-like 'far far away' territory here. But getting yourself up and about, moving and grooving, can work wonders for your mental and physical health and wellbeing. I'm blessed that there is a gym in my building, which will make this a whole lot easier as there are very little excuses I could use for not walking downstairs and to the gym. But if the gym's not for you, then that's ok. Try a fun fitness class or go for a long walk with a pal. You need to find a physical activity that you enjoy and will want to do. If you see exercise as a chore then you'll find it much harder to get yourself into the active lifestyle your body will thank you for.

Have Some Tech-Free Time
In this modern age, technology is everywhere. We use it every single day for all manner of things and normally for a significant period of time. Remember those days where you'd spend an hour on the computer max? Practically Ancient History. Yes, technology is a fantastic thing; I mean how else could you watch cat videos at the click of a button or contact a long-distance friend in an instance? But we need to set ourselves time away from the screens or it's easy for our lives to be completely consumed by them. Having some tech-free time allows you to really enjoy your surroundings, to spend some time with your family and really make the most of life.

Try Something New
Personally, I'm very much a person of routine. I tend to like to stick to what I know and enjoy those moments, as that's what tends to work best with my anxiety. But I'm trying to get myself a little more 'out there' and doing and trying things which are new and a little bit scary. I'm wanting to challenge myself; a little personal development plan if you will. These new experiences will also allow me to learn new things and develop new skills, refreshing and challenging my brain.

Are you hoping to make a positive change in your life this Autumn?

Lifestyle | Going Back To Uni With Ryman*

When September rears it's head again I get a sudden urge to fill my drawers with new stationery. Ever since I was little, one of my favourite things about this new month has been buying new school supplies and this love hasn't subsided even now I'm an adult. Being a trainee teacher gives me a fantastic motive to treat myself to new stationery bits and bobs; even if my boyfriend is a little sick of hearing the "but it would be so good in the classroom" excuse every time I come home with a bag full of notebooks and pens and stickers. 

As the start of the new university year fast approaches - and second year looms - I've been getting myself all organised and ready for the year ahead. New module folders - check - new notebooks - check - pencil case - check. Uni can be ever so intense and the ever-mounting pile of work can seem a tad overwhelming to say the least, so staying organised is key.

When you start university you quickly find out how you work best taking notes and using them for later study. Some find the electronic variation works best for their mindset - they'll be the ones with laptops in their seminars - but personally I'm all about the written word. I like to have a folder per module, all labelled up with different topics, and a notebook to go with it. These sets tend to be colour-coded, making them easy to grab ahead of 9am lectures as there's no faffing about trying to see which label matches which module. Saves time and it looks pretty; win win. 

Ryman has a fantastic 'Back To Uni' range, full of so many products that my inner stationery-geek was just tingling when I scrolled through the website. I personally adore their pastel range, where you can find all your necessary stationery buys in the most beautiful of colours; perfect for colour-coding by module. I'm talking notebooks, folders, diaries, handy tools like staplers and hole-punches; Ryman stock it all. 

They also have lots of products will make your desk-space oh so aesthetically pleasing; a space you'll actually be excited about working in. Having a good work-space can do wonders for your motivation levels. Nab yourself a desk tidy, letter tray or set of drawers to help to keep your work-space (and your mind) clutter-free and ever so organised.

I've even spotted that Ryman are offering a 15% student discount via UNiDAYS until the 4th October. If you won't tempted to treat yourself to your own batch of stationery porn, you will be now!

Products Featured:

Ryman Essentials Notebook Pastel A4 - Priced at £3.99

Ryman Pastel Project Book 250 Pages A5 (With 4 Dividers) - Priced at £4.99

Ryman Pastel Hole Punch 8 Sheet Capacity - Priced at £1.99

Ryman Pastel Desktop Stapler 20 Sheet Capacity No 26/6 - Priced at £2.99

How are you getting ready to go back to uni/school?

*Disclaimer: These products were kindly gifted by Ryman, for the purpose of this review. All views and opinions shared on Yours, Chloe x are always honest and unbiased regardless of whether or not the product has been gifted to me. For further details please refer to my full disclaimer.

Lifestyle | Three August Highlights

Boy oh boy, hasn't August just flown by.

I absolutely adored writing my July Highlights post. Monthly reflection posts almost takes me back to my younger years of writing journals which I'd keep in a totally secure and secretive place (i.e. under my pillow). These diary posts not only give you lovely lot a little insight into the life and times of the girl behind the blog, but they also allow me proper time to sit and reflect on the highs and lows of the month gone by. It's very therapeutic if truth be told; a great way of putting the negatives of the month behind you and making sure you store the more lovely of memories in a special place in your mind.

Blogging love
I've been working my little booty off this past month on my blog and social media accounts, trying to constantly develop my content and improve my following. Boy is it hard work, as I'm sure you all know. I have been feeling pretty down in the dumps about Yours, Chloe as of late, I won't lie. It can be pretty down-heartening to be working really hard on your blog to little or no avail, especially when other bloggers around you are taking off; you can't help but think "what am I doing wrong?". But at the end of August I decided to take a more positive look at the month gone by and I realised how bloomin' happy I am with the posts I've written this month. And ultimately it's that that matters, not the numbers or the amount of brand interest you've had that month. So regardless of what the numbers say, I think Yours, Chloe has had a great month, and I'm very proud of myself.

A good ol' staycation
As I shared in my recent post 'Slow Weeks By The Sea' I've just got back from a lovely break at the seaside. How very British. We stayed with family in Yorkshire for a week and a bit of nothing but gorgeous food, dog walks on the beach, car boot sales and a fair few bottles of wine. Bliss.

R&R time
August has been the month of R&R; rest and relaxation. Looking back at the month and the sheer amount of time I've spent doing a great deal of nothing could quite easily lead to feelings of guilt, as surely I should have spent the month doing something of worth which uses my time productively. But at the end of the day, August was the first full month I had after finishing my first year of uni, which was quite honestly the hardest year of my life and a year that took a great deal of toll on my mental health. I needed some time to do nothing but self care and really rejuvenate myself ready for my second year. So yeah, I'll admit I've done sweet f all this month and I'm proud of it. I've looked after myself and that is the most productive use of my time I can think of.

What did you get up to in August?

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Adventures | Slow Weeks By The Sea

I've spent the past week visiting family at the Yorkshire coast. Their house is just a stones throw away from the beach, which created a prime opportunity for a social media detox and a true bit of R&R.

The tranquility of the beach is something that is hard to describe. Not a sound can be heard except for the noises of the waves hitting the shore; of dog paws hitting the sand as they run for miles; of the dull chatter of your fellow beach-goers and of the occasional seagull making their presence known.

As you walk along the soft miles of sand, all you can feel is the fresh salty air hitting your face and sweeping your hair into a barely-manageable tangle. You can't help but feel really at peace; the beach is even one of the only places I'll happily go makeup-free without a care in the world.

For me, the beach has always been my favourite escapism. The vast open space helps you to feel free and realise just how tiny you and any anxieties are in comparison with the far-reaching ocean. It seems strange that a single setting can achieve being both calm and wild at the same time; but British beaches somehow manage this and it truly is beautiful.

Do you love spending your days on the beach?

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Happy Mind | 5 Things To Do When You're Feeling Overwhelmed

We've all experienced that suffocating feeling of having a million and one things to do but no time to do it in.  Everyone experiences this at one point or another, even those who seem like they have their lives perfectly put together 100% of the time. When we feel overwhelmed, our inner fight or flight mechanism kicks in and for many of us, myself included, this can cause us to just freeze.

Finding yourself so overwhelmed you're frozen with paralyzing anxiety, whilst a natural reaction, ultimately doesn't help solve the situation. We need to work to fight through this and get out booties into gear, ready to take on the problem head on. Today I wanted to share with you five things I do when I feel overwhelmed.

One: Breathe
"Fill your body with deep breaths and it will fill you with peace."
A simplistic but important point. When you're feeling overwhelmed, the best thing is to take a breather and clear your head. Have some breathing exercises kept in your back pocket for moments like this one, they'll do the world of good. My personal favourite is to watch the hands of a clock tick by for a minute, whilst breathing in and out slowly.

Two: Write Yourself A List
"A goal without a plan is just a wish."

I don't know about you, but I feel a whole lot calmer when I have all of my jobs and goals written down in a concise (and aesthetically pleasing) way. When you feel overwhelmed everything just feels like it's flying around your head at a million miles an hour, but creating a physical list of your thoughts and tasks helps to put it into perspective and makes it all seem that little bit more manageable. 

Three: Prioritise
"You don't need more time in your day. You need to decide." - Seth Godin

This one goes hand in hand with writing a list. Take the time to sit down and decide which of the items on your to-do list is the most important and/or the most urgent. At first glance, everything may seem crucially important but lets be real, you simply can't do everything at once.

Four: Say No
"Learn to say no without explaining yourself."

We could all do with learning to say no sometimes. When you're starting to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of things on your to do list, make sure you're not adding anything extra to your plate. It may be nice to be able to do a favour for someone or to take on a job at work to get you brownie points, but don't do it if it sacrifices your mental wellbeing.

Five: Break It Down
"Success comes from taking small, daily steps towards your goal."

As I said before, you simply can't do everything at once. Try breaking down your to-do list into chunks that are a little bit more manageable. Set yourself a goal of one or two chunks for each day as this will also leave you time for a good ol' bit of rest and relaxation. 

You've got this!

How do you cope with moments where you feel overwhelmed?

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Lifestyle | My 3 Summer Goals

I know what you're thinking: "Chloe, you're posting your summer goals now? It's nearly the middle of August". What can I say? Always late but worth the wait.

I'll be honest, I've had a rather chilled Summer so far but I don't actually feel guilty for it at all. I've had a rather challenging 2018 so far and really needed the chance to take some time out to relax and revive myself. I've been focusing on my mental health and wellbeing; something we all should be doing. So no, I haven't had the busiest Summer so far but I can say I've used my time in a valuable way, by putting myself first.

We have three or so weeks left of Summer so I've decided it's finally time to hang up my procrastination hat and get cracking on some of the things I want to accomplish before we wave goodbye to the leisurely warmer months.

1. Have A Clear Out

My room is a bit of a hot mess right now. I packed up my old flat and it's now in boxes and suitcases placed here there and everywhere in my bedroom and the rest of my family home. Not ideal. I've decided this is the perfect opportunity to have a sort out and get things back in order. Forget spring clean, we're doing a summer clean.

2. Get My DIY On

One month today I move into my new flat - wait for it - with my boyfriend. Moving in with a fella? That's proper adult territory. Student budgets mean we've only nabbed a studio flat but I'm determined to make the space as homely as possible. There's so many beautiful homeware pieces out there which would spruce the place up but I  decided to do it on the cheap and craft my way to a gorgeous new home. So far I've been reviving some old frames from charity shops but I have lots of other projects planned. Is this something you'd like to see on Yours, Chloe? Let me know.

3. Keep Up The Blogging Game

I've been a bit pants at this blogging malarkey recently as I chose to take a bit of a digital detox and focus on having some 'me time' rather than spending all my days writing blog post after blog post. Over the past couple of days I've been planing and drafting lots of new post ideas which I can't wait to share. I'm also off away later in the week which will pave the way for lots of photography opportunities; watch this space.

Have you set any goals for the latter half of the Summer?

Are you following Yours, Chloe on Bloglovin? You can find me here.

Books | 5 Books To Be Absorbed By This Summer

Summer is that time of year where every woman and her cat become avid book worms. You see it every summer, Instagram upon Instagram of people lazing on beaches with their nose in a book and in some cases you can't help but find yourself muttering that famous Draco Malfoy line "I didn't know you could read". 

There's something about this season that just draws people to books. In part I think it's because the holiday time that comes in the summer months gives us the opportunity to actually tackle the to-read pile that has been building at the side of our bed for the past twelve months. The chill relaxing nature of the summer months also create the perfect environment for getting cosy with a good read. The days are longer and it's warm enough for sitting in the garden with a glass of vino and a piece of fiction. Absolute bliss, if you ask me.

I've definitely put my book-worm cap on this summer and have been delving into a number of fantastic reads already. Today I wanted to share with you 5 of the books I've been absolutely loving; hopefully one or two at least will make it on your to-read list.

1. Rules of Summer by Joanna Philbin
"There are two sides... to every summer."

Rules of Summer introduces us to Rory McShane, a teenage girl who is about to spend her summer working as an errand-girl for your stereotypical wealthy American family, the Rule family. Whilst the concept may seem rather tedious, the novel is surprisingly engrossing. The story has a duel narrative, flitting between the lives of Rory and Isabelle (the youngest Rule). It explores their friendship and also the budding romance between Rory and the swoon-worthy Connor Rule, Isabelle's elder brother.

As well as being an aww-worthy love story, the kick-ass female friendship (despite the class-divide) really triumphs the romance. It's the perfect easy beach read and truly makes for a lovely summertime escape.

2. Billy and Me by Giovanna Fletcher
"Love makes life worth living, not money."

Billy and Me has been a permanent addition to my summer reading list every year since the incredible Giovanna Fletcher made her writing debut in 2016. The book follows Sophie, a young girl living a perfectly normal life in the country, who falls for Billy, a super famous actor who wants to make it to the top. The story shows the ups and downs of their relationship, and explores how Sophie copes being thrown into the limelight.

This is an absolute cracker of a chick lit novel. It's got so much charm to it and is honestly one of the most beautiful and heartwarming love stories I've ever heard.

3. To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han
"Life doesn't have to be so planned. Just roll with it and let it happen."

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is the story of Lara Jean, who has never openly admitted her crushes, but instead wrote each boy a letter about how she felt, sealed it, and hid it in a box under her bed. But one day Lara Jean discovers that somehow her secret box of letters has been mailed, causing all her crushes from her past to confront her about the letters: her first kiss, the boy from summer camp, even her sister's ex-boyfriend, Josh. As she learns to deal with her past loves face to face, Lara Jean discovers that something good may come out of these letters after all.

This novel is such a little gem in the YA novel department; it is one of my all time favourite YA novels. Despite its romantic core it also features the important themes of family, culture and identity, creating an inviting innovative read. Jenny Han writes in a gorgeous fashion that leaves you feeling as if you were actually inside the head of the protagonist, leaving you hooked to the story and desperate for the tales of Lara Jean Covey to be endless. 

4. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
"These were the lovely bones that had grown around my absence: the connections – sometimes tenuous, sometimes made at a great cost, but often magnificent – that happened after I was gone."

The Lovely Bones tells the story of Susie Salmon, a young girl who at the start of the book is tragically murdered and then narrates the story from her own personal Heaven as she looks down at the world and people she has left behind. It shares poignant snapshots into the lives of people haunted by the loss of their daughter, sister and friend. The story also provides a unique insight into the perpetrator of this heinous offense.

This may not be the most lighthearted summer read but boy is it incredible. As soon as I read the first page of this novel I was hooked. I found Sebold's portrayal of the concept of Heaven absolutely fascinating and I believe it is this element of the story which makes it so memorable. If you've seen the film I'd definitely recommend also reading the book, it adds a whole new dimension to the story.

5. My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick
"But here's the truth: In movies, it's never half so lovely as it is here and now with Jase."

My Life Next Door shares the love story of Samantha and Jase, next door neighbours with vastly different backgrounds and family lives. They first meet when Jase climbs up to her rooftop perch and from there romance blossoms. We follow their story as they stumble through the awkward yet amazing territory of first love.

This novel is another one of my favourite novels of all time. It's one of those stories that makes you feel all gooey in the middle; like your tummy is now made of caramel. I challenge any girl to read this novel and not fall head over heels in love with Jase. He's funny, sweet, caring, good with kids and just so damn lovable it hurts. My Life Next Door tastefully explores some of the more 'mature' themes surrounding first love and this really adds to just how beautiful the story is. It's honestly a little piece of magic stuffed into 400-odd pages and truly makes the perfect summer read.

What are you reading this Summer? I'd love to hear your recommendations.