Saturday 12 September 2020

15 Ways to Wear Florals This Autumn

As summer has met September, I've been considering how my current wardrobe can now transition from Summer into Autumn. This year I've embraced floral prints more than ever and I for one think its about time that we challenge the assumption that florals are just for Spring.

If like me, you're thinking of that 'Devil Wears Prada' quote that put me off wearing florals in my teenage years, I'm here to prove to you that yes, florals really are "groundbreaking". Here's 15 ways to wear florals this Autumn.

THE FLORAL MIDI DRESS

At calf length, midi dresses are perfect for Autumn and can be worn with tights or without thanks to their comfortable length. Below I've partnered some of my favourite new season midi dresses with high rise black leather boots and an oversized straw tote bag to add an extension to the Autumnal colour palette.

If you wanted to enhance your silhouette on a looser fit dress, try adding a thick waist belt like the one I have linked below to pull you in at the waist.

THE FLORAL MAXI DRESS

Offering ankle length coverage and being easily layer-able, the maxi dress is ideal for Autumn when you want to feel confident and comfortable. You can easily partner a maxi dress with ankle boots and a fine knit cardigan for cooler temperatures or even make it more of a statement with a seasonal fedora hat.

THE FLORAL SKIRT

Knitted or woven, the floral skirt is a lovely piece for your wardrobe. You can dress it up or down depending on your day. My go to choice for styling a floral skirt this Autumn would be to keep it chic with an all black colour palette, a high ankle Chelsea boot and a sophisticated structured handbag.

THE FLORAL TOP

For a more casual dress code, you may opt for a pretty floral top. You could choose to dress it up with a chic pair of tailored trousers and a pair of heels, or instead style it for a daytime look as I have below.

THE FLORAL ACCESSORY

Floral prints aren't just for clothes! I adore intricate gold jewellery with floral themes; luxurious handbags that offer a bohemian edge; and hair accessories that tie a look together beautifully. Here are some of my current season picks.

Share your favourite floral looks with me by tagging #styledbyevie and @evieroselane on Instagram or let me know what they are in the comments section below.

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7 Ways to Stop Comparing Yourself On Social Media

We've all been there - not feeling yourself, demotivated, perhaps doubting your successes in life. Then you log on to Instagram, and there it is, hundreds of highly edited photos from those travelling the world; modelling bikinis with the figure you've always wanted looking undeniably "perfect"; those getting the keys to their first home and having children in their perfect marriages; those moving to the big city to pursue your dream career; or even those sharing their expensive handbag collection which might be worth more than your life savings. Whilst I'm very much a person who loves seeing others thrive and share their content with the world, on days when you're not feeling quite right these posts can give your inner saboteur the fuel to make you feel ten times more worthless. Of course, it's not the other person's fault that you're having these feelings. 99% of the time, I feel empowered and inspired to set my own goals and I must like their content enough to follow them in the first place. However, it's always okay to admit that it's become too much and take temporary action to step away from it, even without the other party knowing.

Why do we compare?

Often we find ourselves stuck in a comparison trap because we compare our behind-the-scenes mundane everyday moments with someone else's success and highlight reel. We each have our own insecurities which can often feel triggered by things we observe or see and that's no different on social media. We may question our accomplishments, appearance and even personality traits.

I recently shared a poll on my Instagram stories of which 92% of you agreed that you had compared yourself on social media to someone you didn't even know. 70% of you had unfollowed someone due to these feelings of comparison, and 57% of you mostly compared your lifestyle whereas 43% mostly compared their looks.

So how can we stop comparing ourselves and our lives to others on social media?

There is a few actions you can take.

Mute Instagram accounts that you are finding triggering. You can do this either temporarily or for the longer term. The other party won't even know you have muted their account as they won't lose you as a follower. By muting them, you won't be seeing posts from them on your feeds anymore. You take more control and you only see their content if you search for it. To mute an account, head to their profile. Click 'Following', then select 'Mute' from the menu, choose whether you'd like to mute posts and/or stories.
Limit your time on social media. Instagram has a handy tool which allows you to set a timer for your daily usage on the platform. You'll get a notification once you've reached that set amount of time for the day and you can decide if it's now time to come off the app. To set your daily activity reminder, head to 'Settings', then 'Your Activity', and 'Set Daily Reminder' choosing an amount of time that suits you. Alternatively, you could consider deleting social media apps from your phone all together. You keep your accounts live but you won't be spending time scrolling as the temptation has gone from your fingertips. You can always re-install whenever you feel like it.
Unfollow accounts that make you feel more negative than positive. This is a longer term solution which will remove that account from your following list and you'll no longer see posts from them on your feed.
Redirect your focus onto the things that really matter to you. Take time out to spend time on things that matter to you. This could be anything from practicing yoga or growing your own to volunteering at the local dog's home. These things that you do that help yourself or others can feel super rewarding and humbling. You'll remember that it's not all about what you have or how you look, but more how you feel and how you help others.
Remind yourself that everybody is on different journeys. You never know what anybody is going through behind closed doors so always, be kind.
Learn to celebrate other people's successes with them rather than compare to your own. Instead of seeing a post and feeling down about yourself, why not comment a compliment and some love heart emojis. They'll hopefully reciprocate and you'll feel good that you were there to support them and be a part of their positive moment.
Try to only follow accounts that inspire you or that you find relatable.

"Never compare your chapter 1 to somebody else's chapter 20"

When talking about social media comparison, it is easy to forget that there are other aspects of social media which make it an incredible tool. Right now it's connecting us socially more than ever. I can think of so many inspiring people who are using these platforms to share their voice; freelancers who've felt more empowered to take the plunge into self employment; and start ups utilising the power of social media advertising and user generated content to build their brand. As a consumer, it can motivate us, inspire us, connect us and entertain us. We just need to ensure that we use social media in a way that works for us.

Hopefully, the tips that I've listed above have helped you and given you some things to try next time you feel overwhelmed by social media comparison. Please continue the conversation by leaving a comment below or sharing this post to your social channels. I'd love to know how you control social media comparison in your own life and the steps you are taking to minimise it.

Continue the conversation with me over on Instagram @evieroselane or by posting a comment below.

How to Make a Flower Crown

Flower crown making is creativity at its best and it's surprisingly easy to do. In this post, I'll teach you how to make a flower crown for yourself with a few easy steps. We're all guilty of living in a whirlwind of work, social time, family time, eat and sleep, but I certainly feel its important to slow down and have quiet time to create. Plus, they say finding your inner child is good for you and this flower girl is one happy princess.

What you'll need:

Flowers & foliage (I used "The Maya" by Bloom&Wild)
Wax floristry tape, like this
Wire, like this
1 metre of ribbon
Scissors

Step by step guide:

First, measure your wire on the front of your head like a headband, leaving an inch or two behind your ears. Bend each end into loops, big enough for your ribbon to be tied through. Cover any sticking out wire by wrapping your floristry tape over the join. Layer the floristry tape at a 45 degree angle when wrapping, working down the wire as opposed to layering it directly on top of itself.

In preparation for adding your flowers, tear off pieces of floristry tape at about an inch or two in length. Start cutting the tops off of your foliage and flowers that you wish to incorporate into the crown, but be sure to leave a few inches of stem and don't cut them too short. Sort your flowers into piles by type, then choose your first piece of foliage. Hiding the wire loop, attach the foliage to the end of your crown using one of your teared pieces of tape. Next put together a small bunch of two and attach this to the wire, slightly downward from your first attachment. Each time you add a new piece, try to add in a left, right formation so that your flower crown is beautifully balanced.

Once you've reached the end of your flower crown, be sure to add a piece of foliage in the alternate direction to conceal the second wire loop from sight. Cut your ribbon in half, and tie each piece of ribbon at either end of your crown. Take your crowning moment and tie your flower crown on your head. Ta-dah!

Tag me in your floral crown creations on Instagram @evieroselane #bloomsbyevie

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Life After Lockdown & How It's Changed Me

For the last four months, we've been locked up inside due to the dreaded Covid-19, otherwise known as the Coronavirus. It's been a surreal time in all of our lifetimes and although it's not over yet, the UK is slowly opening back up and easing back into normal life. Since we've been inside, I imagine it's been a rollercoaster ride for all of us and I'm sure we've all learned how to cope in different ways, or even not cope.

I suppose I am one of the "lucky ones" as I have managed to stay working from home full time for the whole of the lockdown. With working full time and my own projects, I've stayed quite distracted from the whirlwind of negative news and brain numbing boredom. That's not to say it's been easy though.

Who would have thought we'd be spending 2020 like this?

Like many, I've been separated from family and desperately regretting not getting all of the grandparents set up on the millennial crazed FaceTime before this pandemic (but then who would have thought we'd be spending 2020 like this?). I've kept up regular phone calls, but it's not quite the same as seeing them smile in person and them seeing for themselves that we're doing OK. Throughout the pandemic, the safety of my loved ones has been at the forefront of my worry and I knew I'd have to stay away for precisely that reason.

The socially distanced new normal does lead me on to wonder how we'll be as a society moving forward. Will I wince every time someone gets too close to me in public? How will I feel now getting on public transport knowing the likelihood of the virus spreading in such close proximity? When will I stop feeling guilty for touching my loved ones? What do I do in a professional environment if somebody reaches out politely for a handshake? Will I ever feel fully comfortable wearing a mask even though I should?

We've had the opportunity to slow down and realise what truly matters. Before this, our modern world was crammed full of stressful commutes, overtime, hectic crowds, selfishness, greed, air pollution and a constantly buzzing mobile phone.

Despite it all, a big learning curve has come from this experience that we can all learn from. We now appreciate our NHS teams and key workers more than ever (and rightly so). We remember to check in more often with our loved ones and those living on their own. We now know (hopefully) how to wash our hands to the tune of Happy Birthday, twice. We've had the opportunity to slow down and realise what truly matters. Before this, our modern world was crammed full of stressful commutes, overtime, hectic crowds, selfishness, greed, air pollution and a constantly buzzing mobile phone. I've realised just how fragile life can be and how important it is to spend your time investing in yourself, your home, your health and your loved ones.

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Comforting Soft and Chewy Flapjacks Recipe

Since spending more time at home, I've been on a baking craze. This is my favourite basic flapjack recipe for making soft yet chewy golden flapjacks. These are truly the melt in your mouth kind! Not guilt free, but a lovely sweet treat to share with loved ones over a cup of tea.

Ingredients

250g porridge oats
185g baking margarine

100g light brown sugar

100g golden syrup

Equipment you'll need

1x 20x30cm baking tray

1x medium saucepan

A wooden spoon

Baking paper

Weighing scales

Prep time: 10 mins
Baking time: 20 mins
Oven setting: 160 degrees or gas mark 3

Instructions

Firstly, line your tin with baking paper. I cut diagonal slits in each corner of the baking paper (about the same depth as the tin) so that it can be easily folded to fit the shape of the tin. Before you start preparing, be sure to set your oven to 160 degrees.

In a large saucepan, melt the 185g baking margarine, 100g light brown sugar, and 100g of golden syrup. Heat gently, stirring occasionally until melted. Once melted, take the saucepan off the heat and fold in your 250g porridge oats. Once fully bound together, pour out the mixture evenly into your tin and spread evenly with the back of your wooden spoon or spatula.

Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. When ready, take them out of the oven and allow the flapjacks to cool before cutting into squares.

My Care Tips for Cut Peonies

Peony season is my favourite floral event of the year. It's an absolute pleasure to have these big blooms grace our home and gardens, if only for a few short months. It feels like an annual celebration of what the world can offer and I am always truly sad to see it pass.

From buds to blooms

Before they go for another year, I thought I'd pull together my top tips for how I get the most out of my cut peonies. If you've bought or grown peonies before, you'll know they begin as tightly formed buds, typically covered in a little sap. Within a few days, they'll begin to blossom into big bountiful blooms and give you the biggest surprise. Peony buds can actually expand 3x the size of the bud once fully opened up. Don't worry if the buds have a few dark spots or look a little stained, this is completely normal. You can encourage your buds to open if you're growing impatient by gently wiping the sap off with a damp cloth and placing in a warmer sunnier spot.

Keep them for longer

Although stunning, peonies tend to last for around 5 days or more once cut and placed in an arrangement. To help your peonies last longer, keep them cool in cold water when you first bring them home or cut them from your garden. Prepare them for arranging by stripping the leaves below the waterline or further up depending on your desired style. Cut the stems 3-5cm from the bottom in a diagonal chop. This will help the peonies absorb more water as soon as they get put into the vase. After three days, trim the stems down a few cm again and top up the water. Remove any petals that may look brown, dead or mushy as these will rapidly encourage your peonies to go over.

Clean vases for happier blooms

Ensure you have a clean vase ready as any bacteria may cause the peonies to die off quicker than normal. Fill your vase with cool water and mix in flower food to give the flowers the best chance for surviving indoors for longer.

Where to buy?

You could partner your peonies with other flowers, such as roses, lisianthus, or freesias for a seasonal bouquet or enjoy them as a stand alone statement. You can usually buy peonies in the supermarket with your weekly shop but if you're currently unable to go due to the lockdown rules, you can also order them as letterbox delivered flowers online from websites such as Bloom&Wild. For £10 off your first Bloom&Wild order, click here.

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How I Stay Fit and Motivated at Home

Since having to turn our homes into libraries, offices, yoga studios and gyms all in one go, it's harder than ever to stay fit and motivated at home. If you're looking for ways to stay active indoors or if you're a fellow gym-goer who's now needing to get creative to stay active, I can help. First of all, plan your day. Filling your time, goal setting, and sticking to your schedule will lead you to feel more productive and satisfied. While planning my own day at home, I factor in the following points to keep me active and feeling energised...

Morning Yoga

Every morning, I'll lay out my yoga mat in my living room. I'll ask Alexa to play calming music and I'll stretch my body into yoga poses. I typically do this for 30 minutes, sometimes longer or sometimes less. Some days, you'll feel a lot more able than others - able to spend more time, able to feel the stretch, or able to hold that pose for a little longer. Don't let this stop you, because it is completely normal and the more you practice the more you'll improve in the longer term. Adding yoga into your morning routine gently wakes up your body, it frees your mind for motivation, and it sets a positive tone for your day.

Practice Mindfulness

I'm sure we can all count times in the past few weeks where we have felt completely overwhelmed by everything that's going on around us. Whenever I feel overwhelmed by my worries, I'll set aside five minutes to focus on my breathing and calm my mind. My favourite way to do this is to sit cross legged on the floor. Place your hands comfortably out in front of you or softly place them on your knees. Close your eyes, and take a deep breath in through your nose, hold that breath for two seconds, then slowly breathe out through your mouth. Repeat this for a few minutes, allowing your mind to solely focus on your breathing. Once you feel ready to return to your day in a calmer state, open your eyes and slowly come out of the position. After doing this exercise, take note of how you felt before and after. Be sure to set aside time for it in your daily schedule.

Workout at Home

Working out makes you feel active and alive, it's no different when you're doing it at home. After finishing my tasks for the day, I'll change back into my favourite activewear outfit and conduct a home workout. Bodyweight exercises and abs circuits are excellent if you don't have much equipment at home. If you have resistance bands or weights, use them! Alternatively, don't feel afraid to get creative, a water bottle makes for a great dumbbell substitute. If you're feeling stuck for motivation, play your favourite workout playlist and plan your workout like you do your daily tasks. Ticking exercises off as you go is a great way to feel fulfilled and proud of yourself for getting your sweat on!

This post is part of a paid collaboration with Boux Avenue, and includes commission links.
This blog post was guest featured on The Avenue, Boux Avenue's blog platform, view it here.

Go-To Peanut Butter Brownie Recipe

These nutty peanut butter brownies are definitely one of my most favourite treats to bake. They're a great surprise for special occasions and fantastic for sharing. Anyone with nut allergies or diabetes must avoid as they do contain peanuts and a whole lot of sugar, but the rest of the party will not be disappointed.