top code

Shop My Beauty Collection

Thursday 31 December 2015

2015 Reflection & 2016 Blogging Goals

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and you had a wonderful Christmas! I still can't believe how fast Christmas and the festive season just flew by and how it is New Years Eve today...someone pinch me, please! I have been a little quite over on my blog purely because I honestly haven't had much energy and motivation throughout December, I guess this is something we all face at some point. I thought it was probably best I sit back and enjoy these few days I do have off until I go back to work in the New Year and then jump straight back into everything with full force in 2016. I just wanted to write a little post reflecting on some of my milestones this past year and of course, set myself a few blogging goals moving forward into 2016. If you would like to read my 2015 New Year post you can do so by clicking here.

WOW! 2015 has been a heck of a year indeed with some major milestones...so I guess we'll start right at the very beginning. I began the year by starting my first ever full-time job and I can't believe a year has flown by already. I work in the Cloud Marketing BU for one of the world's leading technology companies and I can honestly say that I have loved every second of it. I never knew what was in store for me after graduating in July 2014 but I feel like fate just rolled out the right cards for me on this occasion. There is never a dull moment when you work in the technology industry, it is very fast paced and there is always something going on. I feel so privileged to be part of the Cloud BU and I have already learnt so much. I manage all of our digital presence amongst a few other things - we have a Cloud blog so if you would like to stop by and read something a little different you can do so by clicking here.

Around June / July time I decided to enter a competition with House of Fraser and the competition was all about creating a look based on your ultimate beauty icon. It was so fun stepping outside of my comfort zone and throwing myself into something a little different. I was on my way to an event with work when I got an email from House of Fraser saying that I had actually won the competition...to this day I still can't believe it! So, becoming the House of Fraser Beauty Ambassador has definitely been one of the best milestones this year. I am so looking forward to working with House of Fraser on some amazing things during 2016! You can see my full entry post here.

Another major milestone this year was definitely my Dad surprising my Mum and I to a Birthday trip to New York! I honestly still can't believe this actually happened and I got to spend my Birthday in New York City. It was the most perfect trip and we tried to squeeze in as much as possible, however, I will definitely need to go back at some point to do a few more things off my bucket list. I had been previously (around 6 or 7 years ago) but when we went I wasn't old enough to appreciate everything...especially the shopping and everything you can't purchase in the UK. Also, it was the end destination on a three way trip to Las Vegas and Mexico across three weeks so we were so exhausted by the time we got to New York. This was the first time I had ever celebrated my Birthday outside of the UK and honestly, it felt so weird yet so exciting! I still haven't posted about my trip or hauled anything I picked up so if this is still something you would like to see then please let me know.

The Cosmopolitan Blog Awards...oh, I couldn't leave this one out! I never thought in my right mind that I would be shortlisted a third year in a row...let alone walk away with an award! Honestly, I don't have the confidence in myself or my blog to be able to say I am worthy of these types things...I am such an unlucky person haha! It honestly still feels like a complete dream to me and I still can't believe I can finally say I am an award winning blogger haha! According to Cosmopolitan, this year's awards had the biggest voting count EVER with numbers in excess of 64K - WOW! I just want to say another huge thank you to everyone who has been there and supported my blogging journey and of course to anyone who took the time to vote for me - it means the world to me. As you know I didn't place in the Beauty category but I did walk away with Highly Commended for 'Best Use of Photography' and I am over the moon. If you read my blog you will know that one of my blog New Years resolutions was to improve my photography and receiving this award makes me that tiny bit closer to achieving my goal. I have definitely walked away feeling so motivated and I can't wait to get back into my blogging routine in the New Year and bring you some fabulous new content. Another highlight from the evening was definitely meeting so many like-minded people within he blogging industry and of course, finally meeting India from The Jewel Beauty (my blogging bestie)! You can read my full post on the awards here

A Few of My 2016 Goals

Goal #1: Start YouTube & Weekly Vlogging. Starting a YouTube channel is something I have wanted to do for many years now. I have sporadically uploaded a few videos (you can see these here) but for some reason getting into YouTube hasn't been an easy road for me. I definitely feel like I have achieved something this year with uploading a handful of videos but I want to be consistent and upload regularly. I need to snap out of whatever is holding me back and stop letting excuses get in the way of something I have dreamt of doing for years now. So, if there is anything you would like to see in particular then pretty please let me know. I am also on the hunt for a vlogging Camera, so far I have narrowed it down to the Olympus Pen and the Sony A5100 - I would love to hear any recommendations and suggestions though!

Goal #2: Transform my Fitness Routine. I know this is a pretty cliche New Years resolution but it is something I feel I really need to work on. I just want to become a healthier version of myself...not necessarily lose weight but tone and change my diet. I have decided to join a slimming club in the New Year to work on my diet and go to the gym, at least, one to two day a week (baby steps). I used to be so much fitter when I was younger, partaking in a sport 4-5 days a week including gymnastics, Karate and swimming. I can't even remember why I stopped but I guess we all have to start up again from somewhere - wish me luck :)

Goal #3: Increase my Fashion & Lifestyle Posts. I have always wanted my blog to be Beauty, Fashion and Lifestyle based, however, I know the majority of the time it sways towards beauty...what can I say, I have a beauty addition haha. Never-the-less, I really want to work harder and create some more diverse content for you all. I want to start creating more outfit, lifestyle and travel posts. Yet again, if there is anything you would like to see in particular pretty please let me know.

Goal #4: Work on my Instagram. I know numbers are definitely not everything but I honestly feel like my Instagram has been stuck and not progressed at all this year. It would be an absolutely dream to hit 10,000 Instagram followers during 2016 and I would love to develop it into an almost 'blog' in itself. I want to post content more often and interact with other Instagrammers a lot more.

Goal #5: Use Snapchat More: I started using Snapchat properly this year and honestly it is still so new to me. I want it to be a regular social platform like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where I can share daily snaps and vlogs. I haven't been able to video myself on there yet but it is something I want to work toward in 2016 - I am still a little camera shy haha! Until I get my hands on a vlogging camera I guess I will be vlogging from here - so if you would like to see what goes on behind the scenes then you can follow me at 'SophiaMeola'. Don't forget to leave your usernames in the comments section also :)

Goal #6: Invest in my Future. This isn't a big blogging goal but I thought I would include it. This has been a pretty big decision that has been playing on my mind throughout the majority of 2015. I want to start thinking about my future more and I want to start investing where I can. I have decided that I want to purchase my own property in 2016. Purchasing a property is not a simple task and obviously, there are a lot of hurdles in between, especially as I will be doing this all by myself. I can't wait to see if this becomes a reality!

Goal #7: Attend More Blogging Events. During 2015, I found myself declining so many blogging events and honestly it made me so sad. I think it was a combination of things; timing, commitments, confidence, anxiety and so on that kept getting in the way. I am such a shy person and sometimes travelling alone to an event is very daunting, especially when there are friendship groups already formed and you feel so intimidated to go up and talk to them. I really hope this is something I can conquer as I would love to meet so many more bloggers and brands next year!

I hope you all enjoyed diving into my 2015 reflection and talking about some of my 2016 goals. Honestly, 2015 has been full of highs and lows but they have all been part of my journey. I feel so incredibly blessed to have so many special people in my life and I can't wait to see what 2016 has in store for me. I have learnt so much over the last year and I want to start 2016 as I mean to go on. If you have stuck around to the end then thank you so much, I know this was quite a chatty post. Here is to an amazing and safe New Years Eve and an amazing entrance to 2016! Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day!

What are your 2016 goals?

Lots of Love
Share:

Wednesday 23 December 2015

A Few of my Christmas Traditions

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and are all having a wonderful Christmas week so far! Christmas has to be one of my favourite times of the year and I know as soon as my birthday passes in November I can officially start getting ready for the festive season! I have so many fond memories throughout the years growing up and I would probably say I am still a big kid at heart when it comes to Christmas! So, there are less than 2 days until Christmas is officially here and I have teamed up with New Look to share some of my favourite Christmas traditions with you all.

Firstly, the Christmas Tree. I am super traditional when it comes to putting up and decorating our Christmas tree and this year was no different...other than the fact I was later than usual putting it up this year (whoopsies!). As we are still in the middle of some home developments we actually never got to put a Christmas tree up last year which I was totally devastated about, so there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to make an even bigger effort this year. I decided to go for a gorgeous gold theme and I used a mixture of new decorations and some favourites from my childhood that I use every year without fail. I just love walking into my lounge and seeing my glistening tree - it just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside!

Secondly, The Christmas day outfits. So, this will vary slightly every year, however, during the past few years we have all opted to wear super fun and cosy Christmas jumpers. I just think it is such a fun concept and it is great seeing the whole family get involved! Last year I had this super cute grey polar bear jumper so, this time around I wanted something a little more traditional, something that screamed Christmas! New Look very kindly gave me the opportunity to pick a Christmas jumper from their range here and I decided on this fabulous Black Penguin Fairisle Christmas Jumper*. I love the overall design and how there are actual bells attached to the jumper itself - it went down a treat on Christmas Jumper Day at work last week! Not only jumper, but we also have these really cheesy Christmas-themed glasses with Reindeer, Snowmen and Santa Clause on that just seem to get everyone in the festive spirit. My Mum first purchased these around two years ago and they have since grown to be a tradition in our family - they also make great photos haha!

Thirdly, Christmas Day and the feast. There are usually around 10 of us at Christmas (my parents, aunty, uncle, three cousins and grandparents), none including our dogs Bella and Rolo who are pretty much part of the family too - so I guess that makes 12. We usually take it in turns to host dinner and this year we are hosting around the Meola household - yay! I am so excited to have the family round and just spend some quality time together. I am Italian so whenever there is food concerned we tend to go to the extreme with a selections of meats, every vegetable you could think of and, of course, a variety of super scrumptious deserts. Christmas is probably the only time I will eat none stop and not feel at all guilty about it - it is Christmas after all haha! Also, another tradition is our Christmas Eve dinner where we all come together just like Christmas Day (this is being hosted at my Aunty and Uncles this year) and it is pretty much a mini Christmas feast minus the meat and we usually have fish. Now, I am not a lover of fish so I usually opt for Spaghetti Aglio e Olio which is Spaghetti with Olive Oil, Garlic and Parsley - one of my favourite pasta dishes!

My final tradition to share with you today is my Christmas Eve routine. When I was younger this used to be a lot different. Throughout the day all I would think about was Santa Clause and making sure I was in bed before midnight! Ohh, how I miss those days! Since then I have never had a traditional Christmas Eve routine in the sense that it changes every year. The last two years I worked on a Chanel counter in Debenhams and retail around the Christmas season is pretty hardcore - long hours with tonnes of wrapping and running around on your feet all day. This will be my first Christmas in my new full-time job and word on the street is we finish early - woohoo! I can't wait to come home tomorrow evening and just relax, start a mini pamper routine and just start to enjoy my 10 days off over the festive season. All I know is, my Christmas Eve will include dinner with my family (I feel so blessed to have them in my life), a pamper routine when I get home, some fresh Pyjamas and an early night ready for all the festivities the next day!

I hope you all enjoyed diving into a few of my Christmas tradition, I would love to hear some of yours! Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me on my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to read every single comment…they really make my day!

Lots of Love

*PR Sample
Share:

Sunday 20 December 2015

Christmas Gift Guide | NEOM Three Nights of Peace Mini Bath & Shower Oil Collection

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and have had a fabulous weekend! I seriously can't believe that it is almost Christmas...it has just come round so fast this year. I absolutely love the festive season and I love nothing more than going out and buying all the wonderful people in my life something special...plus, I absolutely love wrapping presents. The last two Christmases I worked on a Chanel counter and I must have wrapped over 100 perfume bottles and I never grew tired of it...I just love making things look presentable and pretty! I thought today I would share with you a little treat from the Neom Christmas Collection that I think you are just going to adore. NEOM are a brand I have always admired and the few products I have tried from their range I have always been incredibly impressed with. To me, their products always seem so classic and I adore how everything is organic with the combination of having glorious holistic properties due to the high essential oil content in the scents. As a brand, they strongly oppose using harsh ingredients and want to be able to offer a beautiful collection of 100% natural fragrances for the mind and body, that are free from artificial ingredients, all with therapeutic benefits. Every scent has been designed to make you feel good and that is something I absolutely love about the products they offer.

The Three Nights of Peace Mini Bath & Shower Oil set* is a collection of three beautiful bath oils made with the highest percentage of the purest possible essential oils, which not only smell wonderful but have true therapeutic benefits for the mind and body. Combined with skin soothing organic safflower and vitamin E, your skin will be left gently scented and perfectly soft. To use simply pour the contents of one (or how much you would like) bath oil into a warm bath before getting in and relaxing. As the aroma fills the room, breathe in through your nose for 7 seconds and out through your mouth for 11 seconds and repeat 3 times. The essential oils will be absorbed and the therapeutic effects will begin to work. Have no fear because you can also use these little beauties in the shower as an extra bonus. Add a small amount of the oil to your decolletage when entering the shower to create the most perfect scented shower experience. I also love doing this whilst I am at my desk at work or home to help me wind down after a long day.


The Bath & Shower Oils

The first Bath & Shower Oil in the collection is the Neom Scent to Instantly De-Stress which is part of their therapeutic range. With 24 of the purest possible essential oils including lavender, jasmine and Brazilian rosewood, it has been expertly blended to help reduce stress levels. The second Bath & Shower Oil in the collection is a 100% natural Neom Time to Unwind fragrance which is also part of their therapeutic range. With 9 of the purest possible essential oils including guaiacwood and rose, the oils in the fragrance have been blended to help you unwind and focus. This is one of my favourite scents and I love placing a small amount on my neck whilst working at my desk to help me get into blogging mode and unwind from a stressful day. The third and final Bath & Shower oil in the collection is their tranquility scent which is part of the therapeutic Neom Scent to Sleep range. I have the Perfect Nights Sleep Pillow mist in this scent and it has grown to be my favourite out of the entire range - you can see my full review here. This range is curated from 19 of the finest and purest possible essential oils including English lavender, sweet basil and jasmine, all sourced for their unbeatable sleep-inducing properties.

Overall, I was extremely impressed with this gift set and for £14.95* I think it is totally worth it for the quality you are receiving. You also receive a free voucher code to download the Neom Ultimate Sleep eBook which is originally worth £9.99. The expert-led eBook is packed with tips and advice to help you understand the science and the art behind great quality and quantity of sleep. I have downloaded mine and I am completely hooked, I definitely need advice when it comes to sleep as my patterns are everywhere. The packaging is super adorable and I love how compact it is without wastage. The overall design fits in nicely with the entire Neom line, however, I adore the added touch of silver sparkles for a more Christmassy feel. As the name suggests these oils are supposed to last three nights, one Bath and Shower Oil per bath / shower per night - I sometimes wish they were a little bit bigger so they would last a little longer, however, it all depends on how you use them. Also, this set is a great way for you to introduce yourself or someone else to the line before committing to the full sized versions. I just love mini products!

I hope you all enjoyed this Christmassy post, I would love to know your thoughts on the Three Nights of Peace Mini Bath & Shower Oil Collection. I think they would make a lovely gift or stocking filler this festive season and you still have time to get yours orders in before Christmas! Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me on my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to read every single comment…they really make my day!

Would you give the Neom Three Nights of Peace Mini Bath & Shower Oil Collection a try? You can check out the full Christmas Collection here.

Lots of Love

*PR Sample
Share:

Sunday 13 December 2015

Pukka Winter Wellness Challenge

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and have had a fabulous weekend. It is no secret that I always feel a little worse for wear around this time of year...quite frankly it's all down to the fact I am working super hard and my immune system is being tested...especially with this winter weather. I was a premature baby so when I was younger I was always unwell, as I have grown older I have become stronger, but sometimes your body just needs a little helping hand. I remember the Christmas before last I was working Christmas hours on a Chanel counter in Debenhams and there was this nasty virus going around...I honestly thought I had dodged the bullet but nope...lucky Sophia caught it and I was so unwell. I lost my voice (which has never happened to me before), I had a high temperature and I was just feeling really lousy - it is inevitable around this time of year. So, when Pukka contacted me in regards to taking part in their Winter Wellness Challenge I just had to give it a try...anything to ensure my immune system and body is fighting fit for the upcoming winter months.

The challenge was mainly focused around their very own Elderberry and Echinacea tea, which was a variation I had never tried from Pukka before. Elderberries are hugely effective at maintaining a strong immune system because of their anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. There are lots of research studies that support the protecting properties of this super fruit and champion them as a great way for you to fight off viruses during the winter months. During this challenge, we had to stick to a selection of tips from Sebastian Pole who is the co-founder of Pukka Herb's and also a master herb smith across a 2 week period.

Tip numero uno; Move over Echinacea, Elderberry is the new superfood. To make the most of the protective properties elderberries have to offer, and introduce some of their natural goodness into my diet, I had to incorporate one teaspoon of Pukka Elderberry syrup up to three times a day. The syrup itself didn't have a bad taste at all which made incorporating it into my daily routine so much easier...there is nothing worse than dreading to take something that tastes quite yucky. What does Elderberry Syrup do? Elderberry juice, manuka honey 14+, trikatu and thyme, along with other herbs in the syrup, have been used to help support seasonal health. This concentrated broad-spectrum syrup contains the highest organic grade, sustainably cultivated herbs, carefully selected to bring you the full potential of nature's goodness. Whilst taking the syrup I definitely noticed an increase in my energy levels which was amazing...it made waking up in these dreadfully dark mornings so much easier which I thought would never be possible.

Tip number two; Stay hydrated. This is easier said than done for me because I definitely don't drink enough water or any other hydrating liquids than I should. As the months get colder, many forget it is important to drink lots of warm water and stay hydrated. It is paramount to maintaining tip-top health because when hydrated, your body finds it so much easier to flush out toxins and fight bacteria. One way to drink lots of water and simultaneously help you stay warm in the winter is to enjoy some tea...and lately I have been enjoying the Pukka Elderberry and Echinacea tea. For a double boost I sometimes added a teaspoon of the Pukka Elderberry Syrup for added flavour and to ensure I had my daily intake from tip number one. The tea itself reminds me of your typical herbal tea and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The only thing I wasn't 100% sold on with this tea is the slight hint of licorice taste which stems from the licorice root used in the formulation. I have never been a lover of licorice, however, everyone is different so don't let my opinion put you off.


Tip number 3; Get rest. This is another easier said than done tip for me...I definitely don't get enough sleep as I should and my sleeping patterns are pretty much everywhere. Late nights and early starts can really take a toll on your body if you don't get enough hours of sleep. The body is said to repair and rejuvenate itself when it rests, so it's imperative that we give our bodies the chance to do so. They say seven to eights hours sleep a night is perfect for letting your body's cells, tissues and organs repair themselves and keep your immune system strong. I will put my hands up and say I totally failed this part of the challenge. I work full-time Monday to Friday and I am usually up around 5am every morning as part of my weekly routine. I usually get home around 6pm and, to be honest, I don't usually get to bed until around 11pm and I don't actually fall asleep until gone midnight - not the best sleeping pattern in the world, but I haven't been able to shake this routine - it is something I am definitely working on though.

Tip number 4; Keep exercising. When it's cold and wet outside it's tempting to stay indoors and sit in the warmth (ohh how I know the feeling), but do try to incorporate some kind of exercising into your weekly routine. It's not just to keep fit, but to build your army of antioxidants that will help you fight the viruses that are everywhere during the winter season. Around the time I started this challenge I had just joined a 7-week personal training bootcamp and next week will be my 7th and final week in the program. I can honestly say that the combination of exercise and all of the other tips have really helped me change my lifestyle around slightly...it is amazing to see your body change when you alter the tiniest of things in your daily routine. I have already signed up to the next bootcamp which takes place in the New Year so I am excited about this new journey.


Final tip number 5; Massage yourself. The cold weather often brings with it aching joints and frozen muscles. To offset this seasonal tendency, massage yourself with warm organic oil. Pukka have an active oil which is perfect for this...simply apply and then finish off which a hot shower. To be honest, I don't suffer from this as much at the moment *touch wood*, however, I have noticed that some morning when I over stretch I can trap muscles in my legs...had anyone else ever experienced this? It is seriously the most painful thing ever but once the muscle loosens it feels so much better.

Overall, I really enjoyed taking part in the Pukka winter wellness challenge and I have discovered some new products that I will definitely be incorporating in my daily routine...I mean there is no harm in taking syrups and drinking specially formulated teas like these on a daily basis when you know they are working behind the scenes to keep your immune system in tip-top condition. I am quite proud of how well I took to the challenge and I am excited about how it has changed the way I feel. I mean, I know I didn't stick to all of the tips religiously, however, just incorporating the tea and syrup alone made such a huge difference. Pukka also gifted me this cute tea tin which I will be using for work from now on. I will make sure to pack it up so I can enjoy some yummy tea throughout the day at work also. If you would like to give any of the products mentioned in this post a try they can be purchased at independent health food stores and www.pukkaherbs.com. The Elderberry Syrup has RRP of £12.49* (100ml) and the Elderberry and Echinacea Tea has RRP of £2.39* (20 sachets).

I hope you all enjoyed this lifestyle related post and diving into the winter wellness challenge. If you found it interesting I would definitely recommend you taking part in your own little challenge...if you do please let me know, I would absolutely love to hear about it all. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me on my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to read every single comment…they really make my day!

Lots of Love

*PR Sample - Not Sponsored
Share:

Tuesday 8 December 2015

Breakfast with Alpro | Simply Plain with a Touch of Almond & Coconut

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and you are having a great start to the week. Not so long ago I was contacted by Alpro to give their Alpro Plain with Coconut and Almond a try, I have collaborated with Alpro previously and working with them has really opened my eye to how quick and easy it is to incorporate a healthy alternative into you breakfast or daily meal routine. You can see my #AlproTops post here and my Alpro Soya Simply Mild recipes here. Even though I struggle (yes I admit it) to keep on top of a continuous fitness routine I am slowly getting there, especially with the help of great healthy alternatives like Alpro products.

Alpro Simply Plain is packed with the plant powered goodness of soya and it a great alternative to natural dairy yogurt. It is delicious alone or paired up with some healthy toppings and is packed full of protein, calcium, and vitamins B12 and D. Now, Alpro have combined the most on-trend plant-based ingredients to create two new taste sensations that will bring your breakfast bowl to life. If you are looking for a unique twist to the typical plain yogurt then look no further. Beautifully smooth and delicious, Alpro Plain with Almond offers, as the name suggests, a delicate hint of almond, whilst Alpro Plain with Coconut adds a tropical twist to create the taste of summer in a bowl. Both are naturally low in fat, low in sugars and are packed full of plant goodness...you will never feel guilty about it tasting so good!

Before Alpro contacted me, I had actually tried Simply Mild with Coconut before and it was my daily go to for a while as it was so convenient for work and eating at my desk. The great thing about yogurt type breakfasts is that you can simply eat them at home (which I did on this particular day) or pack them up in a little container for on the go (which is what I do for work). Ever since I have been on my little health kick I have tried so hard to incorporate more plant-based products like Alpro into my diet. I thoroughly enjoy the Almond and Coconut Milk variations so giving the Simply Plain yogurt a try was a real treat! I highly recommend you check them out.

Overall, I was completely impressed with the Alpro Soya Simply Plain and I am so looking forward to incorporating it into my diet more. I really hope you enjoyed this post and I would love to hear what you thought and if you are a fan of Alpro products. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me on my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to read every single comment…they really make my day!

Lots of Love

*PR Sample
Share:

Sunday 6 December 2015

3 Things I am Thankful for | The Home Edition

Hello My Lovelies,

I hope you are all doing well and you are having a wonderful weekend so far. I am planning on having a super productive Sunday and getting back on track with my blogging duties...oh how I have missed my little space on the internet. As I mentioned in my previous post the last few weeks have been a whirlwind for me with many highs and a few lows. I guess life is a serious of peaks and troughs, but it is all about how you embrace them and move forward. I know thanksgiving has passed and it is not something that is hugely celebrated in the UK, however, it is something that is growing in popularity here and I absolutely love that. So, after some reflection I thought I would share 3 homely things I am thankful for.

1. My Family 

This was a super easy one for me and without a doubt I am incredibly thankful for my Family. Firstly I am thankful for my parents, who have brought me up, taught me values, loved me, supported me and, of course, cared for me my entire life. I just couldn't imagine a life without them...they are a big inspiration to me. I was also blessed with a large family and they are all so supportive, caring and, of course, loving. I am an only child, but I was so lucky to have grown up with my Aunty, Uncle, 3 Cousins and Grandparents living in the same street as my parents and I...we are all in walking distance of each other and I wouldn't want to change a thing. I have incredible memories from growing up and we are constantly making new ones.

2. My Home

I am thankful that I can wake up every morning and have a warm roof over my head and also the fact that after a very long day at work I have a loving family and home to come back to. I am blessed with a wonderful bedroom where I love to seek refuge and shut myself off from the world, but I also have a beautiful blogging space / beauty office where I can be creative and pursue my blogging dreams and goals.

3. My Relaxing Weekends

I am thankful that I can take the occasional weekend off and just switch myself off from everything. Relaxing weekends vary but I am blessed with the fact that I can have endless cuddles with my Yorkie Bella (who is actually sitting on my lap whilst I am writing this post), I have functioning wifi so I can write content for my blog, I can watch typical Saturday night television with the family, order a takeaway, live in my pyjamas and whack the heating on full blast.

Like I mentioned before I have so much to be thankful for in my life...but at home I would say these are the three most important to me. Sometimes these simple everyday things are taken for granted so it was nice being able to have a little ramble to remind myself how truly blessed I am to have these wonderful things in my life. I hope you all enjoyed this simple yet sweet post showcasing some of the things I am thankful for. I would love for you to get involved also so don't forget to share your own...I can't wait to read them. Like always lovelies, if you have any questions, requests or if you just want a chat you can contact me via my social media or leave me a comment below. I love hearing from you all and I make sure to ready every single comment...they really make my day!

What are you thankful for?

Lots of Love
Share:
© Sophia Meola | A Beauty, Fashion & Lifestyle Blog | All rights reserved.
Blogger Template by pipdig