I'm really not in the mood to post anything specific at the moment...just wanted to give a bit of an update/write a kind of random blog post on what's going on in my life right now. Enjoy!
Beauty: I filmed a tutorial with fancy schmancy editing which I am quite proud of if I do say so myself :) It took me ages to edit but I did it and I'm really happy with it. You can check it out on YouTube here. Here was the final look:
Albi: I woke up this morning to a wonderfully white blanket of snow outside my window...YAY! Finally...now I really feel like Christmas is coming :) Albi and I both bundled up in our winter coats and braved the outdoors for his morning walk...he had such a great time and there was hardly anyone around so I let him off the lead. My baby loves to run in the snow! We were then met by two old men, Albi got a fright (he hates strange men) started barking and one of them tried to KICK Albi!! I became almost paralyzed with shock, I didn't know what to do or how to react. Seriously, what is wrong with some people?? Why on earth would you want to kick a very small and cute 10lb dog? He's not even aggressive when he barks, just frightened.
Christmas: On to more pleasant things...we received our Christmas cards last Friday and I have already sent half of the bunch (most of my fiancé's family have incredibly complicated Irish names...which I'm still figuring out how to spell!) and I am so happy with the design. We ordered them from Vistaprint...I was really impressed with the website and delivery was very efficient. I won't post the Christmas card here until everybody has gotten theirs as I don't want to spoil the surprise :)
We hope to get our tree soon (I'm thinking on the 8th) and I am so excited to decorate! I will take pictures when I do.
Diet: I've started eating porridge for breakfast as it's the yummiest thing to have on cold mornings! I love mine with cinnamon and fresh blueberries. Healthy, low-fat and delicious! I'm also absolutely loving persimmons at the moment...OMG. I never tasted them before (except maybe when I was little) but they are incredible...if you haven't tasted one yet you really need to!!
Book: My book is nearly finished...I promised you guys it would be out in December, well I'm holding onto that promise! My illustrator Tarsila is FANTASTIC, she has done the most amazing job with the illustrations and I couldn't be happier with them. You can check out here work/blog here. I'm not showing you guys any illustrations yet though...I want it to be a complete surprise! All things going to plan, you will be able to buy my book online next month. Yay! (If you don't know what I'm talking about, I spent the last two years writing a book...The Style Diet, a positive body image book for teens. But really, it's for any age group :) I finished it in January of this year and promised myself by the end of the year it would be published...and now here we are!)
Wedding: I am working with two wedding planners at the moment, and I finally seem to be getting somewhere with the venue. Once that is finalised I will feel A LOT better about the whole thing. Jonathan and are also thinking about taking a road trip across Europe next year, the destination being our wedding in southern Italy. I would LOVE if it worked out as I've never been to France and have always wanted to see it. Jonathan's family on his father's side is originally French (hence the name, Joly) and it would be nice to go back to the region where they are from.
I've seen a few more dresses that I like on the Nordstrom website. I like that they're not so traditional and a little more modern. I've also made changes to my bridesmaids' dress code, they are now wearing dresses to the knee and all in different shades of neutrals. Beautiful! My colour scheme for the wedding is neutrals so this will fit perfectly.
Family: I love Christmas and this time of the year, I really do. But it's also a sad time, my dad's anniversary is coming up (Dec. 2nd), even the thought of it makes my throat feel stuck, my hands clammy and my heart race....I'm not sure why. :( Some days I'm convinced it doesn't get better, it only gets worse. And then other days I'm fine...it's weird. This was his funeral wreath.
On a lighter note, my mom got an amazing bunch of flowers from one of her friends to honour my dad's passing. How pretty are they?? I have never been much of a flowers person...but even I have to admit these are pretty cool!
Car: We are getting a new car on Thursday. I am so happy I could pee my pants!! (Okay not really, haha.) But it's pretty cool as we've never bought a car together before. Our first one was a hand-me-down from my mom and now that that's kaput we've been using my dad's old one until we find ours. I think we've finally found our match :) This also means that we will be going to Dublin this weekend for a family dinner at my future mother-in-law's house. Yay!
So that's everything that's on my mind right now. A little different than my usual posts...hope you enjoyed :)
Stay Stylish!
xoxo
I'm excited about your book! Where did you get that mug from? I've been looking for one like that!
ReplyDeleteAnna, lovely post first of all. Second my heart goes out to you and your family, there is nothing harder than having someone you love so much,suddenly gone...missing all those moments of your life when you want nothing more than having them there to share them with you.
ReplyDeleteThird I wish you,Jonathan and Albi all the happiness in the world with the wedding and all. Try not to stress out too much(I know thats easier said than done, I was just a maid of honor and stress levels were pretty high!Just indulge in every moment, and dont sweat the small stuff.
Have a lovely evening.
Anna, I love these random update blogs!, Really I do...Kind of like a long lost letter from a friend! thanks! everything in your life sounds exciting and I so look forward to seeing a few of these things in you and Jonathans vlogs!
ReplyDeleteAwww Sweetums! Your Dad is very proud of you and your many accomplishments. I know it's a hard time, especially with the holidays around. I wish I could give you a giant big bear hug. Make sure Jonathan gives you a giant big bear hug in my place. But I am thinking of you and your family during this warm holiday season. Love you lots!!! XOXO
ReplyDeleteI love random posts! me and my puppy are really enjoying the snow too xx
ReplyDeleteI lost my Great Grandma on Christmas Eve and my Uncle on Thanksgiving Day. Losing a loved one is always hard but I find that it is even more difficult when it is around the holiday season. It is a time for family and it is hard when someone who has always been there suddenly isn't. I don't think it gets easier...maybe just more bearable. I'll be praying for you and your loved ones during anniversary of your dad's death. I know it isn't easy...keep your head up.
ReplyDeleteWOW, Anna, you really are on a roll with your holiday cards, and I am loving your holiday decorations and the look you did...so pretty!
ReplyDeleteHow exciting to wake up to a blanket of snow and that your book is almost done...go you!!!
Sending some smiles you way and to Albi too...some people just amaze me!
Liesl :)
P.S. Your recent "Getting Ready For A Night Out" video is great...wonderful job editing and with all the music, and I love how you put it all together! Your look, clothes, hair and make-up look fantastic!
ReplyDeleteLiesl :)
I look forward to your book and I´m also excited about your new car. I always laugh about "kaput" (kaputt).
ReplyDeleteBeautiful things happen to you! You made me smile with this post.
ReplyDeleteI wish you Happy Holidays!! :)
Anna, random blogs are the best. Congrats on your book being on schedule!
ReplyDeleteYour wedding color scheme sounds absolutely beautiful, I love the idea of the different color bridesmaids dresses. I also like your traveling around Europe idea! :) Please take some video of Christmas decorations in Dublin!
Also, so sorry for Dec. 2nd, thoughts will be with you and big hugs.
Tammi Marie
I loved your latest video; great job with the editing! I also really liked this random blog post. So many exciting things happening in your life :)
ReplyDeleteBe strong because you have wonderful people around you.
Can't wait to see your tree! :)
Poor Alibi :( I wish people would realize animals aren't al that different from kids, because they don't know how to control themselves. No person in their right mind would ever go kick a yelling or crying kid, and you'd think it should be the same for animals!
ReplyDeleteawwww, why would you kick a dog sooo little if he doesnt seem aggressive towards you just scared... you can tell the difference... i treat all my pets as my furry kids.
ReplyDeletealso i am sooo excited you are getting a new car of your own and are getting your wedding plans more finalized.
couldn't be happier for you both... you deserve all good things that come your way.
hope santa brings albi good presents as well =)
wiccakat19 on twitter
I hope you are okay on Dec 2nd! It is weird, because that is my birthday, and for some reason I expect the whole world to be happy on my Birthday!
ReplyDeleteI also can't people that guy nearly kicked a dog! Awful!
O_O You have a lot in your mind...well nearly as much as I do =)I'm looking forward to see your brand new book god I'm so excited CONGRATULATIONS!!!
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear an update! These are my favourite kind of blog posts actually- they have a bit of everything :)
ReplyDeletex
Oh, so much!!
ReplyDelete1. Can't wait for the new car for you guys either. Everytime Jonathan started pumping up the tire I was like ahhhh! I've been there.
2. Looking forward to seeing the tree, I know you're going to decorate it so nicely. My sister calls mine the garbage tree because I throw so much random stuff on it and then it's really heavy and swaying, haha. I just can't say no to glittery ornaments. This year I scaled back finally! (by having 3 mini trees for other ornaments...totally scaled back).
3. So sorry for your loss Anna. My dad lost his father a month before he graduated college. He still can get chocked up about it but now I think he likes to talk about him now because he likes to talk about how funny and smart and determined he was and that way he can share him with me :) I love hearing stories about your Dad, he sounds so brilliant (in the American sense of the word :). I found this old picture of my grandfather goofing around when he was in the army with his friends and I framed it and my dad put it in his office. It's a nice reminder to not sweat the small stuff, enjoy life and make the most of it.
4. I can't believe an old man tried to kick Albi. What's he think that little baby's going to do to him? What a crabby pants! There is an old man in my apartment building who hates Rugby even tho Rugby is 18 lbs. He tries to back over him so I let Rugby bark and get real close to him sometimes...which is sure disaster eventually but he is so mean to everyone!
Oh, oops I wrote too much! I can't wait for the book, I'll be one of the first to buy a copy!!
xx,rebecca
Oh, p.s. my lips looked like because I took glitter eyeshadow stuff and patted it over lipstick, haha. So it's not creepy to think they look cool...you're the only one who even noticed!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing..much love Emily
ReplyDeleteHahaha, you guys are soooo sweet and lovely! Thank you for all your great comments, I was initially worried after I posted this that you would all think I was a negative nancy but you saw the positive in it all :) <3 <3
ReplyDelete@Emily Thank you! I am too! I got it from the Disney store in London. Got a butterfly shaped bowl as well ;)
@Autumnfound Great advice, thank you so much. I will remember that when it comes closer to the wedding and it seems everything is piling on top of me, eek! Haha...
@Julie Thank you so much for the continued support through comments and messages, I really appreciate it :)
@alongcameaspydr/Charlotte Aww, you're so sweet!! Thank you :) Hugs to you as well <3
@Orla xx Great! It's something different for them to play in!
@Emily Thank you, I really appreciate it and know you understand. The timing really sucks doesn't it...lol.
@Liesl Whenever I'm feeling anyway under the weather, I can always rely on your comments to cheer me right up!! You always leave the nicest, most encouraging ones :) Thank you!
@TheBeautifulSideofLife Thanks! Yeah, it's weird I thought it was spelled "kaputt" but when I write that in the spellcheck says it's wrong and changes it to "kaput". LOL!
@Shopperita Thank you! Your comments make me smile! <3
@lake breeze/Tammi Marie Thank you so much, I will definitely try and film some of Dublin's Christmas decorations! I'm so glad you like the bridesmaids' dresses idea!
@Andreia Santos Thank you! I can't wait to get it!
@Vikki I know right?? Can you imagine?! Ugh, some people are just clueless.
@Anonymous/WiccaKat You're the girl with the ferret, aren't you?? I think I recognised your name from comments on YT. That is so cool!! You should post a picture of him/her or a video!
@Louise Lesley Haha, nothing wrong with that! I always think my birthday should be joyous for everyone as well :)
@Soterranea Thank you so much :) I'm really excited as well!
@Daisy I'm glad you liked it! <3
@Rebecca Ohmigod, your comment...LOL! It made me laugh so much! I'm so relieved I wasn't just dreaming things about your lips being so sparkly...hehehe! And that old man with Rugby, I know the exact feeling I would do the same...serves them right! I showed my mom and sister Emma your blog a few days ago, and now they've bookmarked it on their computer as well :)
@emily_a Thank you for reading and commenting! <3
The part about your father made me tear up again! ): I can't even imagine how sad it must be to lose a parent so I totally understand you, I think that with time it will hurt last, that's what my mother says (:
ReplyDeleteGetting a new car it's always exciting! I got a new one this August a Peugeot 107 and I love it so much ehehe can't wait to see yours :D
I'm sure your book will be fantastic!