MY IDEA OF THE DREAM, A/W STYLE 2016

I just feel like designers and stylists of this years A/W season, are, ON. POINT.

I absolutely love everything I'm seeing at the moment. Whether it be on overcrowded fixtures in Primark, or more premium fashion mannequins in high end store windows. I think this is the first year in a long time I've actually appreciated and acknowledged the bikini's being taken off the shop floor and rails are beginning to burst with beautiful coats and jackets. I'm usually sad once I realise its too cold to not be able to wonder freely without a jacket, or pretty summer dresses become lost amongst the chaos that is 'Summer Clearance' (Don't get me wrong - this still makes me sad). 

I put together some 'mood boards', if you will, of what have become my perfect combinations as the chilly air creeps into our bones. 

Outfit 1:
Jumper, Trousers, Jacket, Shoes, Bag
Outfit 2:
Body, Trousers, Jacket, Shoes, Bag
Outfit 3:
Jumper, Skirt, Jacket, Shoes, Bag

Thanks for reading!
Madi xx

THE MOST, WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR

Theres something so beautiful about this time of year. Maybe its the way the sun hits the burnt orange leaves on the trees, or reflects on the dewy grass. One of my favourite things to do is to walk the scenic areas surrounding where I live. Sometimes my life is filled with a lot of negativity, so much so its almost as though it will spill over the top of my head, it has a way of consuming me so much. Walking is my best form of therapy - especially with Theo. I love pulling on my thick socks and pointing my feet into my wellies, stuffing a couple of poo bags into my pocket and leaving with nothing more than my keys and Theo's lead in my hands. Its a time where I take a breather from having to talk to anyone, and have space with my own thoughts. I escape the confinements of the house or work, and just breath. I find walking takes me away from everything and be grateful for the simple things. That I can see the sun setting, I can watch Theo leap through the long grass, I can smell the crisp autumnal air, and be thankful I can carry myself across the fields without thinking about it.

If anyone has any good suggestions for dog walks in the Bristol area, let me know! 

Thanks for reading,

Madi xx

THE LIFE OF A NONCHALANT 24 Y/O

I first came across this word when my best friend used it to describe me once, after expressing my confusion over a boy who said he 'couldn't read me'.
I am currently lying in bed, frightened to move myself any further north incase I feel the need to vomit all over my laptop. I am ill - life sucks, I'm bored out of my actual existence, and I've eaten nothing but rice crispies, pasta, and chip sticks for the past 4 days. ANYWAY - the time I've had stuck in bed, relentlessly scrolling my phone, watching every video in my Youtube subscription feed, noticing all the girls who regularly post attention worthy things on Facebook, watched day time TV, and cried over lack of human contact - has got me thinking.
I don't know about anyone else, but I feel like my 20's have been the worst years of my life so far. Is that a bold statement? probably. As a young girl, stuck in the current movement of depressing news, badly paid jobs, living with parents, terrible dating apps, global prejudice and general negativity is bad enough - but being the type of personality type I am surrounded by this, is almost suffocating.
Disappointed is a good word to sum up how I feel about life in my 20's, or at least how I've been made to feel. I feel like the world these days has been sectioned into categories, and if you don't fit in (or at least portray yourself on social media to fit in), you lose. Makeup guru, travelling free spirit, casual alcoholic, festival goer, live music lover, working abroad go getter, *sigh*, the list goes on. (I would be lying if I told you I haven't tried to -nonchalantly- fit in to at least 3 of these categories.)

I still don't know what I want. Being 24 and not knowing what you want may sound common, 'Your 20's is about finding yourself', but what about if you don't know WHERE to even start? Sometimes I watch people around me move on and up with their lives, while I remain stuck. Friends moving out, travelling, working abroad, working with big brands, meeting new people, getting EXCITED about things. My nonchalant attitude doesn't help, what do you do when theres no passion in your soul to drive you towards the things you want or have interest in? I envy people with passion. TRUE passion that keeps you engaged, interested, and work towards something. I am so jealous of all the girls that have the energy, drive and passion in them to get what they want. It's not like I WANT to give up on things, in fact, if I start something, its very rare I don't see it through. My problem as of late is I give up before I've began. My thoughts on traveling, for example, are constant - would I like to go? yes. would I like to go alone? hell no. However over recent -in mind discussions-, it seems thats the only way it'll ever happen for me. Maybe its confidence, maybe its being a slight pessimist, but can. you. imagine. little old me - 2 inhalers, 2 types of medication, weak immune system, allergies to life - even getting on an airplane alone?

I envy girls who are loud, excitable and confident, why can't I be like that? Why can't I have the effort to be SO EXCITED over this GORGEOUS new shade of lipstick, or SO STOKED that a certain band has a new album coming out. I am an introvert, and in a world where you're only noticed by 'putting yourself out there' *sarcastic thumbs up*, it S U C K S. I am the girl who people get annoyed at for not being excited at opening presents, or the girl who stays engaged in something for a maximum of 5.5 seconds and then wants to look at something new. Something I have learnt about myself over the past 4 years is I invest myself in people, or should we say boyfriends to be more specific. I like to be cosy and settled and comfortable, moseying around in a little twosome against the world - however, investing all of your time, energy and passion into people - never works out. What I'm trying to say is, life feels hard when you feel as though you SHOULD be doing all these things.. moving out, getting a 'real job', becoming manager, traveling, meeting new people, buying houses, having babies, driving a new car, wearing the latest fashion, dating, eating vegetables, having a great ass, loving pizza, loving pugs, etc. What happens if you want to travel but the thought of mixing with strangers while conjuring small talk and 'fitting in' is literally crippling? What happens if, try as you might, every dream and ambition so far in life has left you with knock backs and lack of confidence? but on the contrary, what if you care as much as you don't?  W H A T  I F.

I never have the passion for drive because I never have the passion for success. Nothing HUGELY impresses me and even if it did I can't show it. Is there a support group for this?
'Nonchalant 20 something y/o's anonymous'
I hope one day I can look back on this post and laugh, poorly little Madi had no idea of the adventures to come. Heres to hoping!

xx

INTRODUCING, THEO

I'd like to introduce a new family member.

Theo Norman - a little boy toy poodle.
He was born on the 27th January 2016, so is currently only around 11 weeks! We picked him up when he had just hit 8 weeks on the 23rd of March - National Puppy Day! (complete fluke btw).

I actually cried once we'd collected him, I had him wrapped up on his little blanket, that we'd not long rubbed all over his mum for comfort. He's grown a lot since the day we collected him - he was SO tiny and delicate and would give you small puppy licks on your nose (still does, but now it smells/comes with more saliva) >.< Now Theo has got to grips with where he needs to poo and wee, what its like to venture in the back garden, new smells, playing with our pet cat Jeremy - he has become very curious over EVERYTHING - every movement of me, my mum, or my brother, every new chew toy, every corner of the garden! - He's very much the opposite of shy. He is also insanely clever for a dog his age, he can already understand 'come', as well as 'sit' and 'fetch'. Anyway enough chit chat, this is the little lad himself :-)

Thanks for stopping by,

Madi

x

BLURB

alright? 

unfortunately, being from Bristol, 'alright?' is usually my casual greeting to my friends, family, and anyone unprofessional I happen to meet. My name is Madeleine, but most people just call me Madi. I decided to start up a brand spanking new 'corner of the internet', after thinking about how much I've blogged over the past 7 years, on Tumblr, Wix, Wordpress etc. Its about time I took the plunge back into the blogging world again. I'll be here talking about general life, new places, a bit of beauty and mental health. (Who knows I may even dabble in a bit of Fashion every now and then, like I used to). I'm not sure if its just me, but I find the blogging industry has turned a little sour the past few years, very self indulgent and a little showy offy, hence why I've steered away from the classic 'fashion and beauty blog' as of late. Anyway, I hope you enjoy :-)

Are there any blogs you think I should follow? Give me some recommendations to fill up my new subscription feed!

10 THINGS ABOUT ME

I. I am a 24 year old Summer baby.   

II. I have naturally ginger hair, haters back off.  

III. I love reading blogs and watching Youtube videos and tutorials.   

IV. Vegan cafes, restaurants, pop up vans etc - give me ultimate joy. (I'm allergic to egg, not vegan)   

V. People tend to think I'm short, I'm not, I'm just an all round small person.   

VI. I love long walks, I could literally walk all day, over fields, woodland, streets, and/or beaches.   VII. Garden centers are my happy place.

VIII. Sunday is my favourite day of the week.   

IX. I have metal in my leg after breaking it in a cheerleading accident, 5 years ago.   

X. I tend to get mistaken for a teenager, even though I am a full blown adult.