Wednesday Wishlist: another Topshop edit

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I'm currently on my way home from Sheffield on a stuffy (and not very pleasant smelling) coach after attending Olly Murs' opening night of his Never Been Better tour, and what a show it was! My love for that cheeky chappy is almost as strong as my love for Topshop, which of course is what today's Wednesday wishlist represents.

We're now into April and the weather seems to be gradually getting worse, which is pretty normal for the UK, but not okay for my current tastes. I'm loving the fine whites, greys and the quirky denim trend but I can't see them going down well (or staying clean) in this mucky weather. The same goes for the complimenting Bardot style and the odd vibrant print that is a staple for a summer wardrobe. I have my eye on so many lovely bits but just don't think it's appropriate to start buying yet *holds temptation for as long as possible*.

Is there anything you're loving lately?

Bridie x

What I wore: culottes and camel mules

*Shoes - C/O DUO | Trench - Stradivarius | Culottes - ASOS | Top - Boohoo | Clutch - ASOS

I never thought I'd see myself in a pair of culottes. I always believed I'd look like a stumpy, circus clown but it wasn't until I found this pair on my weekly ASOS browse that I was tempted to give them a go. Luckily, my risk pulled off, they were the perfect length, not too 'woah your trousers have taken the loose gangster appearance way too far' kind and they were white which means they were an all round winner. However, with ankle grazed trousers, you need to hunt down the ideal heels to A) match and B) allow your legs to appear lengthened which is where this beautiful suede camel duo (excuse the pun) fall into the equation. They are, without a doubt, the nicest, simple but still extremely chic, pair of mules I've ever received and with my current nude and neutral shade admiration, they couldn't have arrived at a better time. 

As we move into spring (or not! Where's this heatwave we were promised?!) I'm absolutely loving the 'barely there' tones so I think the soft mixture of colours in this carefully crafted outfit really compliment each other. Hopefully my choice of clothing brightens up those Monday blues! Although I can imagine it's going to take hell of a lot more than me attempting to pose in front of the garage to bring some joy.

P.S. Don't forget, you can enter my giveaway to win a Blue Vanilla dress. It ends in 12 days time!

Bridie x

The Sunday Natter: why I'm glad social media didn't exist when I was a kid

Social media is no longer a thing of the past, in fact it's reached the point where it's slowly becoming our future. Now, I'm not going to lie and say I absolutely hate the idea because I don't. It does have it's advantages, it's powerful, you can keep in touch with all your friends, family, stay on track with the latest info and its statistics have a great effect on your success but it also causes a lot of problems and is often the barrier to normality. Having young children around me, I've witnessed first hand how controlling it's becoming. 2 year olds are being bought iPhones, 10 year olds are oozing to become the next Zoella. Soon enough, babies are going to be born with a full set of social media accounts and a whole load of pointless drama behind them. I'm the traditional kind so I believe children should be children until they're old enough to find their own, individual steps in life which is why today's Sunday Natter post is about why I'm glad the internet take over wasn't around when I was younger (my oh my, don't I feel old!).

I actually had the access and freedom to express the characteristics of being a kid. | From the age of 3 to around 12, all I did was play outside with the other kids on the street. I experienced the fresh air, was able to enjoy direct socialising and racing down the hill on my push scooter was actually pretty beneficial exercise-wise. Now it seems more children are cooped up indoors with only their technology for company and FaceTime for their interaction between friends. Gone are the days you used to knock on your neighbours' door from morning to night begging them to play out or inviting yourself in for tea. Hello are the days you ditch the exploration for locking yourself in your room like a hermit. I remember loving my Bratz dolls and Betty Spaghetti figures right up until the start of high school and now those are being ditched and replaced with parties and underage drinking advertised all over Facebook. Not only that, children are so easily brought down by others if they're not participating in the typical 'mature' activities and thinking about it, it's actually quite sad. Unfortunately, I think they're missing out on the finer, less advanced things in life.

Communication was obtainable. | There's nothing like having your head stuck in your phone scrolling through Instagram and Twitter to stop you from conversing. We all do it, admittedly I lose all concentration within an instance, but when children are blocking out nearly all interaction it becomes an issue in all directions. I feel like face to face communication is no longer key: kids are in their own social media bubble at family gatherings and the opportunities of sitting down together and talking is limited. Not only is allowing your child to ignore any public event and/or everyday connection an annoyance, it's also quite problematic. It seems social media is a place headed to when thoughts and feelings (whether that be from excitement or sadness and concern) are needed to be vented and I don't know about anyone else, but if I had a child, I'd like them to be as open and honest as possible, away from the internet. We can't even savour the moment anymore without directing it to strangers and craving attention has become all too familiar. 

I didn't feel pressurised to grow up. | I almost feel sorry for the children of today because adult-like behaviours are thrown and forced upon them way too quickly. I have such a biased opinion towards YouTuber's, 'Twitter famous' people and more than often, false representations of whom they really are. In some ways they can be a role model to a child, but in others they set boundaries that children are eager to imitate. I can't remember ever being so knowledgable on makeup or subject to a duck pose and a selfie during my single figured youth and now, it's crazy how children are cultivated on trivial matters, shoving the education side of things to the back of their mind. Understandably, children love to be the best version of themselves but what concerns me is, some don't even know their identification yet. It's difficult growing up and being dependent on only one certain way to act is surely going to make it worse. Children don't need to be competing with each other, they shouldn't have to log on to the internet to see someone they wish to be and start downgrading themselves. Plus, it would save some future embarrassment. Cringe-worthy moments are all part of developing, but I have a feeling the YOLO sayings will be a head in hand kind of matter in 10 years time. 

It was a safer place. | The current world is a scary place, the world of social media is even more frightening. The proven fact that parents aren't always aware of what children are exposed to online is a cause for concern. There's no doubt about it, children are going to become more and more attached to social media and the Internet which is why I think it's so important to advise and make them aware of what they share. When I was a kid, the only access to a computer I had was the gigantic kind with dial up broadband, Eastenders makeover game and the CBBC message boards. Now, just clicking on one link can lead to danger. It's not guaranteed children are protected from harm on their social media accounts and I just don't think I'd be able to put my trust into them. The same goes for shaming, labelling and stereotyping. Bullying is another negative factor of the rise in social media. It has existed for years but now it seems more and more bullies are getting away with demeaning and barbaric nastiness through anonymous cyber bullying. This can lead to a huge downfall in a child's self esteem and well being leading to much deeper consequences. Evolving through life is tough enough without social media being added to the mix and I'm so glad I wasn't part of that.

I was able to make my own mind up and see things for how they really were. | With social media comes the actual media and with the actual media, comes in your face headlines, demoralising opinions, lies, false bullshit, a need for negative attention, narcissism and drama. I don't think it's necessary for children to be introduced to a debating society, escalating arguments, lack of decision making, and only one version of the truth. Social media shows signs of all this involvement and it's something children are starting to become obsessed with and attached to. Falling back on my previous points, I think you should let children learn as they go along and allow them to strive for an ordinary life. After all, at that age, the pleasure of rolling around in mud is much more interesting than how many likes you can get.

What are your thoughts on children and social media?

Bridie x

Giveaway: Win a Blue Vanilla Baroque Print Dress

*Baroque Print White Collar Dress - C/O Blue Vanilla

You all know how much I love a pretty patterned dress as much as the next person, especially when it's gifted over from one of my most valued brands but what do you do when that dress just isn't suitable for your treacherous shape? Well you give another person the chance to flute around elegantly of course. Blue Vanilla kindly sent over this dress for me to sample but unfortunately it doesn't fit properly (perhaps this bikini body guide is working after all) which is why I am giving it away to one lucky winner. The dress is a size small, designed to fit a size 10 but there's probably a little room in there for some fluctuation. As lovely as it is, I was fully clueless on how to style it so I'd love to know how you'd make it your own. Whether it's for an event, a summer trip, or even paired with tights in this god awful spring we seem to be having, let me know in the comments!

Now, on to the giveaway. The giveaway is held through Rafflecopter and all you need to do is enter the mandatory options (and any more add ons of your choice) to ensure your entry. The giveaway begins at midnight (which when this post is live will have already started) and ends in 2 weeks time, on the 12th April. The giveaway is open internationally and the winner will be picked entirely from random. Good luck! Bridie x

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Personal: a tribute to my dad

Following last year's heartfelt blog post, I wasn't going to bring my personal life into the shadows again but after my visit to the crematorium this afternoon, the placing of flowers, lighting of a sentimental candle, and the pattern of both sincere, humorous and emotional memories racing by, I thought I owed my Dad a reminder of his influence on me as a human being. He may not be on earth, it's impossible for me to express my words face to face, but I believe he's always around me, by my side and his spirit is kept alive by the forever gracing commemoration we share within the family. It's those little signs that bring me comfort and I hope he realises just how much we still and always will care, and how his importance will never leave.

Today marks 6 years since I lost the most important man in my life. 6 years on and there's still a huge hole missing from my life. My Dad passed away at midday on the 26th March 2009, with only my mum beside him. My mum arrived at the hospital, and ten minutes later he had slipped away with his hand in hers. To this day, I believe he waited for her. They met when they were teens and loved the bones of each other. Life's unfortunate circumstances got in the way but that tenderness and attachment never left. She still has the letters he used to write to her, the 'I'm sorry' cards he sent when they'd argued, and we have dozens of photos and videos on hand to allow us to embrace the person he shaped us into and to never overlook those treasured times.

Dad, I miss you more than words can say. 

I miss your dodgy haircuts, some of those bowl cuts you had as a kid were terrible.

I miss your annoying sense of humour, I kind of got used to you eating the left over, out of date crisps loudly in my ears and running off like a giggling child.

I miss your smelly feet, seriously sometimes the stench was unbearable.

I miss your love for Oasis, half of the time I thought Noel and Liam were part of the family. 

I miss your awful jokes, and sometimes even inappropriate insults.

I miss those tellings off you used to get from mum, she definitely wore the trousers. 

I miss your lack of technology knowledge, with how advanced it is now I often wonder how far you'd get until you'd needed my input.

I miss your all round weirdness, I think I inherited part of it. 

I miss your funny walk, the head back, shoulders forward kind of strut. 

I miss your perspective, your way of thinking and acting was always so laid back.

I miss your voice, I'd do anything to hear it in front of me again. 

I miss your energy, you were just a big ball of fun.

I miss your dressing up, you putting on a man-thong at Christmas time still makes me laugh. 

I miss your guidance, you taught me some of life's most valued lessons.

I miss our activity filled quality time together, those bike rides, sledging in the snow and having breakfast out every Saturday morning.

I miss your homemade meals, you were a brilliant cook. 

I miss your dedication to your hometown, I don't think there was ever a time you didn't boast about the typical Yorkshire man you were.

I miss those piles of hard back shiny paper you used to struggle to bring home from work just so we had enough to keep our colouring in on board.

I miss those daddy-daughter moments that no one else but you will ever get. 

I miss your patience, I know I must have caused you some stress growing up yet you always filled my aura with happiness. 

I miss your courage, you admitted your failures, you pleaded with your problems, and you were the strongest, bravest man right until your last breath.

I miss your hard work, you tried and tried till you could try no more and for that, I appreciate.

I miss your security and your care, you provided everything we ever needed, from your love, to those beloved Barbie dolls I begged you for. 

I miss your passion, you held me in your arms and wept when I was born and that devotion carried on during the days we spent together.

I miss not looking further into your side of life, it's not until I've grown older that I understand how tough it was for you.

I miss your input, you did the best for us and I know that.

I miss your excitement, you absolutely loved being around us and making and capturing memories.

I miss those hugs, the crippling kind with your massive shoulders.

I miss your wisdom and integrity, that legacy will always live on. 

I miss the fact you'll never be able to walk me down the aisle, that realisation hurts the most.

I miss your presence completely, you'll always be my king. 

As anniversaries come back around, the ache in my heart returns. I can feel the emptiness in the air and sometimes it's hard to find the suitable words to speak and to bring comfort. It's grasping that awareness of what we once knew, being hit in the face with the realisation that we won't see you again until it's our turn to fly and that's when you discover that even the most trivial things were the ones that mattered. I want you back where you belong, I wish I could turn back time but then I have to think of what you needed. You needed peace, relief and freedom and maybe, hopefully, you are in a better place. Heaven stole your body but your soul will forever be preserved. Those flickers of light, gentle, cold breezes and formed hearts I receive from time to time are little reminders you're still here so please don't ever stop sending the signals down.

Dad, you fragranced my life with emotion, joy and even annoyance but your time on earth gave me an insight as to why you need to cherish every living moment with your father.

You're gone but never ever forgotten and will be kept close to my heart for eternity. I'm tired of being sad, let's celebrate your life instead.

Lots of love always, Bridie x