HIGH HOPES

What do you control?

This was one of the last lookbooks I shot in Ireland. I remember it was about 0 degrees and we planned to get about five outfits completed but only shot two. I was so cold and tired that I think my brain literally stopped functioning. The lighting also wasn't on our side for for a couple of hours and being the control freak that I am, I was irritated and miserable. 

You know, I've learned more things in the space of the 20 something days I've been in Vancouver compared to the whole year of 2014. I feel like my faith is being tested every single day as new challenges emerge. One of the scariest things I've ever thought is believing this blog could go somewhere.

Butt if I'm honest the toughest part of believing so much in your dreams is waking up to realise that not everybody is on the same page as you. Not everyone believes you can make it and not everyone wants you to. The hardest thing I've ever done is resisting the urge to believe the words of a realist, the people screaming in my ear reminding me of how 'unrealistic' or stupid my dreams and goals are.  For a second (and I mean a split second) I stopped believing in myself...until I watched a Ted talk with my roommate last night.

'What do you control?'Earlier this week I received my exam results and literally cried over my 3.13 GPA. I mean, I gave up partying for like a whole semester so how could it be that I didn't reach full capacity?  Aha! I was using that extra time to focus on my blog rather than to study. I spent all of my weekends shooting lookbooks and writing articles. SO I don't control how many of you guys read this blog and I certainly don't control what grades I get in university. I may not control the outputs or even the process of anything but I certainly control the inputs. I have the power to achieve whatever I like if only I just took control. 

Realising that the size of my dreams are directly proportional to the amount of work needed to achieve them is the most important thing I've learned thus far. Running a blog and keeping up with university is hard work and while my grades suffered, my blog changed incredibly within that space of time and for that I am grateful. I've learned that making important sacrifices in life is the key to reaching full capacity. So when I look around my room at 10:46 in the morning, listening to the sounds of the pouring rain and observing the dark clouds descending upon us, I am at peace with myself. Knowing that the little invisible steps I'm taking everyday will eventually lead to something bigger than me is still gloriously satisfying. 

Trends & outfit details: Let's face it, simplicity has never really been my thing. I'm either colour blocking, clashing patterns or playing with different materials. So I wanted to style this top from Topshop with a silver metallic skirt, a crisp white button down shirt, grey over the knee socks and a blazer but then I thought why not try something slightly different? A look I would wear to a house party or to a bar with friends. The top looks like silver drops of water clustered together to create this masterpiece and when I swish and sway in it I feel like I'm dancing in the rain. The fabric is so light, smooth but also edgy. I borrowed this jacket from my best friend just because I thought it would complement the top so well because of the frills at the side. My boots are from River Island and although I don't usually shop there, I just had to have these shoes. They are super comfortable  (10 points) and make me super tall (50 points) but most importantly they can dress up a particularly dull outfit on a mundane day.