Not Vicarious

Hey lovelies!

It was about time wasn't it? We needed a rebrand or a revamp of some sort after having the same look for almost 9 years, and here it is! I love it!

In a time where short form content dominates, attention spans are increasingly shorter, and the ever popular TikTok app gets our fingers scrolling for hours multiple times a day, it's not hard to think that blogs are more than likely a thing of the past. A part of me still hopes that there are some stubborn blog readers out there who are holding onto the lost art that is blog content creation.

I certainly debated on whether or not I should bother coming back to post on here, but I thought: "What have I got to lose? If I enjoy it, who cares if less people choose to read it? Do something because you love it!"

With that in mind, I'll begin to feed this blog and any potential readers with new content and enjoy the process once again. I'll be sure to fill you in on everything, what an exciting feeling! 😊

See you soon...

Love always, Stephanie

xoxo

Hey lovelies!!

It's almost October and I just know my skin is going to start hating me if I don't maintain some proper hydration over the next few months. Thankfully I've tried out all sorts of products and I'm wise enough to know that my skin often needs a little more hyaluronic acid than usual in the Autumn and Winter months. Failing that, I often reach for some of my favourite makeup products that give me a temporary glow when I'm in a rush or need a little pick me up on duller days.

Whether you want some glow inducing skincare product recommendations (glow getter), or maybe you've got those locked in and you just want some glowy makeup basics (glow get her), I've listed a few of my favourites below to help give you a head start! 

Skincare/Before Makeup:

- SPF: They weren't kidding when they said this was a must! I use a SPF 50+ sunscreen on my face because I want to protect my skin as much as possible and prevent it ageing from the sun. I highly recommend investing in one that fully protects your skin because you will really see the benefits both in the texture of your skin and, as a result, the way your makeup sits on your face.

- Hyaluronic Acid Serum: I mean kind of a no brainer but it really does give your skin a little extra boost when you add it into your skincare routine.

- Plant Derived Squalane: Makes your face super shiny afterwards but it sure does give you some serious hydration. Definitely a night serum if you're looking to wake up with dewy skin and a more youthful complexion.

- Essence: Very popular in Korean skincare and I've absolutely loved what it has done for my skin, especially this one from Cosrx. It is such a good brand and their essence has really made a difference in the way my skin looks!

- Moisturiser: It says it in the name, it gives your skin moisture! Not only does it do that but it helps to hydrate and protect your skin thereby giving you a much healthier complexion. I have tried quite a few different moisturisers and my favourite one right now is also from Cosrx (featured below).

Makeup:

- Glossier Futuredew: I adore this product! It's an oil-serum hybrid that can be used by itself or as a base for your makeup to make your foundation look that extra bit glowy. This has always been a staple for me come rain or shine!

- Highlighters: Applied to the highest points of your face, highlighters have always been the perfect go-to when you want to make any makeup look shine.

After Makeup:

- Setting Sprays: You wouldn't think this was all that important but a dewy setting spray has done wonders for getting me that beautiful glow when my makeup has looked a bit drab or too matte for my liking.

- Face Mists: Similar to setting sprays, you can easily find a good face mist that can be applied before and after makeup to hydrate your skin and give the products on your face a quick refresh.

Be sure to check out the products I've linked below and let me know of any products you recommend!

Until next time...

Love always, Stephanie

xoxo

Hey lovelies!!

Home. Home to me can be a person, a place or even myself. I don't believe that there is just one home for me in this universe, I think people can have multiple so they feel comfortable wherever they go.

I often find myself referencing things in my head that I view as 'home' because they either make me feel safe, loved or secure or all those things combined. I can have more than one physical home, for example: my family home and my own home, just as I can feel at home with a partner, at a BTS concert (one day), in Seoul by the river or alone dancing to my favourite music.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that it doesn't have to be about a physical building in the conventional way we view a home for it to be classified as one but rather sometimes it's more about the way something feels that makes it a home to you.

I once told somebody that: I guess that home stays in your heart. When someone is no longer around (for example, a family member) they don't stop being your home because that home is now in your mind. You could revisit memories or some find comfort "talking" to that person as though they're still around. A partner can be your home and you go to them for safety, to feel comfort, etc. You can also be your own home. You simply just change which one you go to depending on what you need.

In one of my previous posts I touched on how leaving home is a shock. I know that even though it's still there and it still exists, my relationship with it has adapted slightly because I've left it, but it will always be my favourite home and where I feel most me. It was where I did all my growing up, it's where my family is and it's pretty much all I've ever known up until recently.

Over the last year, I have adapted a lot and overcome quite a few hurdles in terms of my emotional feelings about having a new home but, as time goes on, I'm learning that there should always be a balance. Things don't stay the same forever and I've learnt to both embrace and appreciate the new opportunities that have come my way. I'm bringing my sense of home into this new home and slowly but surely I've warmed up to enjoying my time here.

Now that I've let time do its thing, I feel that I can start to look inwardly and improve the relationship I have with myself so I can make my home (i.e. my mind and body) more welcoming. I'll be sure to share bits and pieces with you along the way so feel free to check back in again soon.

Until next time...

Love always, Stephanie

xoxo

Hey lovelies!!

I genuinely feel like the first two weeks of the year are just a practice run...actually the first month is a practice run because whilst I like the idea of having it all together before 1st January, it's not always possible.

Saying that, I have enjoyed being able to settle into the new year. The decision to take it slow, enjoy the smaller moments in life and learn more about myself and my habits is something I feel would better equip me for the rest of the year.

I'm hoping 2023 is all that I hope it will be - something about it feels right. I know that I'll go through things that will challenge me and push me out of my comfort zone but I'm going to channel the strength and confidence I had in 2019 when I had started a new job and somehow managed to not be terrified by all the new things that were being thrown my way. I think it's working...I mean I haven't had a breakdown yet so all in all, things are going well!

We all talk about goals and I really think they're important but not for shaming yourself into doing something but more so for the gentle push we all need sometimes to achieve the things we want most. The goals can be big or small but having them means that you can bring some purpose into your life and keep you focused to create a life that you love with the things and the people you love.

One of my goals is to read more and having challenged myself to read 23 books in 2023, I am ready to sit on my new sofa and bathe in the sunlight that streams into the room as I sink into the cushions and read the many books I have accumulated over the last two years but never got round to reading. I will get there and not out of sheer panic but more so because it is something that I genuinely enjoy even though I fell out of the habit soon after graduating from university.

Ease yourself into the year and don't worry if you haven't got it all figured out yet. It may be a new year but just take each new day as a chance for a fresh start if you need it. Please know that it is not the end if this first month of the year didn't go as planned, they rarely ever do so give yourself some grace and take it slow.

With that said, I hope you all have a great start to your new year and I look forward to seeing where 2023 takes us! Let's go!

Until next time...

Love always, Stephanie

xoxo

So the time has come to spread my wings and fly haha. I would argue that I'm still not ready but that's a different story, although I may delve into it a little bit here.

I guess this post is about figuring out why more people don't talk about the not so pretty side of moving out from their family home. We're always overloaded with photos on social media of the brand new set of keys and empty apartment/house tours but not so much the lonely crying sessions and bad days we get from being homesick.

Now that is by no means me saying that we can't post those things but in a world where a lot of us are so confident in telling the world how we feel, why is it so difficult to find somebody who is so honest about what moving out means for their relationships, their self confidence and their newfound "freedom" of living without their family?

I've been hit with the "things will never be the same" statement on more than one occasion and not in a negative "don't leave home" kind of way but more so in a factual "now that you're moving out, things will change". In all honesty, I'm not ready for change but I understand at some point it needs to happen and I've found myself in a situation that's not all bad. In fact, I'm extremely lucky!

A new home means a chance to decorate, furnish and style the place with things that you love and that complement your taste both individually and together with someone you love. A chance to be an adult and buy your own décor because who doesn't love that! On top of that, if you are so lucky that you get to live with a special someone in a new space then you can create your own life together. I know it's not all bad but I keep thinking of what it means for my current situation and what it potentially means that I might miss out on.

I love my family so much and for someone who literally cannot live without their mum it's really hard knowing I might not be able to spend time with her every single day like I do now or anyone in my family for that matter. I keep picturing myself crying in the bathroom at the new place or bursting into tears the moment they leave me as I stand in the hallway and the door closes. Dramatic, right? That's what I mean though, does it only seem dramatic because it's not a widely recorded moment or am I really just being dramatic?

In hopes of validating my own feelings, I would suggest it's the uncertainty that makes me feel like the situation is so scary and gut-wrenching. I left home to go to university but I knew that at the end of the three years I would come back. I had that end goal knowing I would be reunited with my family but this is different, once I leave...I leave. My mum keeps telling me that "this will always be your home" and I couldn't agree more - it's where I feel safest and it's where I feel most me.

I understand that I just need time to adapt and once I set things up and make the place feel like somewhere I belong then I can begin to see myself not being so heartbroken. I would like to note that my emotions and feelings on the topic are of somebody who hasn't moved out yet hence emotions are heightened and the uncertainty is at its peak haha.

I know I will confuse you in saying this but I know that it will be alright but I just don't know how it will be alright. In other words, things always have a way of working themselves out and I will be able to get the balance right between living my "new life" and keeping hold of my "old life" but the specific steps on how to reach that point are a little blurry.

I wish I had more people to relate to or someone to guide me, that's all. Online we can follow people who guide us on parenting, clothes styling, home décor, makeup, fitness, etc. but where are those people who can tell you "it's okay to feel sad about moving out from home, here are some things I did that helped me". Why on such a common thing do I feel like we are left to our own devices? I'm telling you I have no devices and I need help hahaha!

With that said, I am looking forward to this next chapter because I can finally put my BTS album in prime position! I'm totally kidding but in a whirlwind of LED desk lights, pampas grass, IKEA furniture and kitchen cabinet door options, amongst many other things, I am excited to have a new place to call home. Sometimes it's more about counting your blessings in times where you feel lost or the future is uncertain that matters most.

I am conscious that this isn't your usual "I'm moving!!" post haha but I thought I would be honest especially for those of us who don't find these types of things so easy. That being said, please do look forward to more posts about my move and how I choose to navigate this very new life change!

Until next time...

Love always, Stephanie

xoxo