Tuesday, 23 October 2018

DAY TWENTY THREE
Hey lovelies!

Next up in the Halloween Series for Blogtober we have some Boohoo loving for the upcoming spooky season! I have compiled quite a few options here if you're looking to keep your bank balance in check but still have some fun playing around with different looks! We all know those Halloweens where, no matter how much you want to go out and celebrate the night, you just can't muster up the courage to go all out. In spirit of this, I present to you: The Lazy Girl Guide To Halloween Costumes! So, here goes...

BACK TO BASICS
For those girls who want to look like they're in the festive Halloween mood but still want to keep it basic and casual - too cool for school huh? I got you covered, don't you worry!
From Left: 1. Halloween Basic Witch Tee, 2. Halloween Hallo Queen Tee, 3. Bow Down Witches Halloween T-Shirt.

JUST A TOUCH OF EFFORT...
Minimal effort but people will know that you've tried! I have, for the most part, provided you with whole outfits especially dresses just to make it easier for you on the night!
From Left: 1. Petite Beth Halloween Wrap Spider Print Bodysuit, 2. Halloween Glow In Dark Spider Bodycon Dress, 3. Halloween Sinner Balloon Sleeve Oversized Sweatshirt Dress, 4. Halloween Costume Bodycon Dress, 5. Halloween Skeleton Bodycon Dress, 6. Halloween Cat Face Bodycon Dress.

NOT TODAY SATAN, I'M STAYING IN!
We've all had those Halloweens where you want to make the effort and you're actually really looking forward to it but then it gets to the day and you're just not feeling it! These options are for you so that you make a little bit of effort in honour of the occasion!
From Left: 1. Halloween Glitter Skeleton Tee, 2. Halloween I'm A Mouse Tee, 3. Spider Web Halloween Onesie, 4. Halloween Skeleton Hand Tee.

MASK IT UP OR ACCESSORISE!
If you can't fathom the idea of putting on a full costume for Halloween then just dress up in all black so that you blend into the night and put on one of these gorgeous headbands, chokers, veils or masks!
From Left: 1. Halloween Spider Veil Headband, 2. Halloween Blood Drip Choker, 3. Floral Candy Skull Mask, 4. Halloween Lace Ears Headband, 5. Floral Candy Skull Black Veil, 6. Halloween Faux Fur Leopard Cat Ears.

TEAM UP!
Why bother wasting your money on separate costumes when you can join forces, split the cost, have the same costume and keep each other warm on a potentially foggy, cold evening at a Halloween gathering!
From Left: 1. Halloween Pumpkin Twin Jumper, 2. Halloween Trick or Treat Twin Jumper.
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Eeeek there we have it! I hope that you enjoyed today's post and got plenty of inspiration from it to make sure that, however lazy and not in the mood you are, you can still make the most of this eery holiday! I am so happy that Boohoo have got some cool pieces in their Halloween collection this year and at such great prices too! Be sure to let me know in the comment section down below, which type of Halloween costume you're vibing with from this post, I'm curious! 👻

XOXO

Monday, 22 October 2018

DAY TWENTY TWO
Hey lovelies!

Eeeek my first Halloween post for this year! I really hope that you've been loving Blogtober so far and are super ready to get into the full on Halloween content now that the month is slowly drawing to a close! Once again, I was roped in by sister and makeup artist Elena Pylarinos to have my face painted in the most weird and wonderful way yet!

The Glitter Skull, not for the faint of heart might I say, is unlike any other Halloween look but it proves to be one for the true lovers of glitter and for those who can't really stand to be an overly bloody mess at Halloween, no pun intended! I am always intrigued by the way in which my sister's inspiration from a photo or from her own preconceived idea slowly manifests itself into reality. She absolutely loves to get stuck in and goes above and beyond to ensure that the final look is the best one possible! So, if you're looking for a makeup artist to create incredible Halloween looks on you then check out her Instagram and get in touch!

Now, just like many other individuals, I love Halloween! I find it so cool that it is that one time of the year where you can truly get as creative as possible and have fun even if it is to scare everyone in sight with how scarily realistic you look in costume! Halloween is so versatile and it's great that it allows you to choose the extremity of your look, so whether you choose to go all out with the liquid latex and dripping blood or you're more of a subtle dresser with a pair of cat ears and a tail, there is always something for your mood! I must admit though, that it's always better to go all out so at least no one can say you didn't try!

Be sure to let me know in the comment section down below, what you think of this look! Are you a fan of glitter or do you loathe the fact that it always turns up just when you thought you got rid of it all?! Me too, lovelies, me too.


XOXO








Makeup & Photography: Elena Pylarinos MUA

Sunday, 21 October 2018

DAY TWENTY ONE
Hey lovelies!

Ahhh so I've got great news, I got tagged/nominated for the Blogger Recognition Award! I have done a little bit of research as to what this requires and have presented you with the rules down below! Before I get into this, I just wanted to say a huge thank you to Niamh from niamhrblogs.wordpress.com for nominating me in the first place, it was so sweet of her to even think of me and include me in such an award! So here goes...

THE RULES: (as seen on Niamh's post)

- Write a post showing your Award ✔
- Give a brief story of how your blog started (still to come)
- Two pieces of advice to give to new bloggers (still to come)
- Thank you to who nominated you and include a link to their blog ✔
- Select 15 bloggers to nominate (still to come)

How My Blog Started:

Not Vicarious was created in 2015 when I was seeing all of these stunning blogs floating around on the Internet. I was so in love with them all and was inspired by the idea that you could create such a beautiful, seamless article or post with carefully curated photos and text just to tell a story! I love my blog so much and it has always acted as a space for me to be who I want to be, to share my passions with those that read Not Vicarious and who want a little encouragement to be their best selves so that they don't focus so much on the idea that they're not exactly like those individuals who they look up to and want to be. I teach you how to not vicariously live through someone else!

Two Pieces of Advice for New Bloggers:

1. Be Consistent: This is something that I struggle with and whilst I haven't really had the opportunity to not be consistent throughout Blogtober, I have still had plenty of times in the past where I have struggled to keep on top of blog content. Life does always get in the way and some things you don't expect, especially if they're in your personal life, so in a sense you will slip up now and again but if the intent and the passion to create consistent content is there then that will shine through!

2. Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help: The beginning of this proper blogging journey for me was obviously very daunting but being able to bite the bullet and ask other bloggers and influencers for help on certain things was so great! I totally understand that you may be afraid to see how some react but, thankfully, everyone who I've come across have been so nice and are willing to support your content, support your blog and most importantly support you - it's so heartwarming, so give it a try!

In no particular order, I nominate:
















* Note: apologies if you have already been nominated for this but feel free to leave your links to your posts in the comment section down below! *

...and there we have it, my post about my Blogger Recognition Award! I hope that you enjoyed learning a little bit more about me and my blog, there will hopefully be a full "Blogging Journey" post going live early next year around the time of my next Blog-aversary! Until then, be sure to leave me a comment about your own blogging journey or even tell me who your favourite blogger is at the moment, no harm done if it's not me hahaha!

XOXO

Saturday, 20 October 2018

DAY TWENTY
Hey lovelies!

Today's post comes to you after I was having a look through my sister's blog, The Skinny Hot Choc, and found this picture (above). Now, she may be a makeup artist but I have always known that she has had such a huge creative streak within her, even before she properly entered the beauty world! I am therefore so grateful that I have her in my life to continue to use me as her model and make incredible looks like this one!

I must admit that, despite some of you thinking I'm biased, I have always been in love with this look because not only does it incorporate two absolutely gorgeous shades by Kat Von D Beauty, the details of which you can find on Elena's post, but it also uses Autumn's colour palette in such a unique way! The deep rusty red and the deep purple melt seamlessly together between the top and bottom lip to create such a gorgeous sensual look! I would definitely love to see this become a beauty trend in the near future and hopefully be rocked by some of you lovely bloggers and readers out there!

Honestly though, I can see it now: the image of me sitting there planning out a fashion photoshoot with a camel coloured trench coat, a knitted jumper, black jeans, booties and this lip look! Oh I am so there hahaha! Would you want to see this look on my blog soon? I want to know and also be sure to let me know what you think of this potential trend, is it something that you're here for or is it just too risky for you? Chat with me in the comment section down below!

XOXO

Friday, 19 October 2018

DAY NINETEEN
Hey lovelies!

Recently I feel as if I've been missing out on all of the Autumn fashion and whilst I can't just go ahead and splurge on it all, I can create a wishlist with all the things that I love since my birthday is getting closer and closer! 

So without further ado, here are just 10 of my favourite items from ASOS:

1 // ASOS DESIGN High Waist Mini Skirt In Metallic - I don't know what it was about this look but it just seemed so different and unusual to what I would usually go for! The metallic pink is great for a party as it gives you that extra dazzle factor that we all know and love when we first enter a room!

2 // Pimkie Hooded Faux Fur Coat - Wear a furry blanket outside in public? Yes please! Honestly when I'm cold, all I want to do is wrap up in a blanket and if I can do that in broad daylight on the streets of London then you know that I'll be there front and centre!

3 // Missguided Faux Fur Coat in Red - A faux fur coat in red? What more could I ask for? Just like the black version by Pimkie, this coat will be so handy for those days where it's cold but you still want to look cute and oh so fancy!

4 // Pimkie Check Reversible Scarf - Huge, chunky scarves are my favourite because they always end up being so versatile when it comes to wearing and styling them with your outfits. I love to wear them draping round my neck or bundling them up around my neck for that extra cosy effect!

5 // ASOS DESIGN Soft Shirt - I really want to get into wearing skirts or more structured shorts for the Autumn season and I think that this shirt would be perfect to tuck into them, especially for a work look!

6 // ASOS DESIGN Kally Knitted Over The Knee Boots - I have wanted a pair of these for so long and would love to try them on just to see if they suit my body and height. I feel that with a pair of black jeans, they have the potential to make your legs look much longer, thereby giving you a leaner and taller look!

7 // Dune Effie Black Faux Croc Cross Body Bag - One of the classiest bags that I have seen in a while and I don't know whether that's because of the croc pattern or the style of bag but it could work so well for fancy and casual occasions!

8 // Love Moschino Logo Bag With Heart Pom Poms - Okay I know this one is so expensive but it is just the most gorgeous classic everyday bag that I have ever seen! I think I also love it because it looks like my sister's Michael Kors across body bag that has the exact same texture as this one!

9 // ASOS DESIGN Rural Velvet Ankle Boots - Talk about the Autumn colour palette coming out in full force, these boots are beautiful and would definitely suit a tonal look based on this shade!

10 // ASOS DESIGN Suede Mini Backpack With Ring - I have been into the ring detail on all kinds of items these days, as you might have seen in my Autumn Favourites post where I featured some suede boots with a ring detail on the zip. The same love definitely applies to this backpack which I can so easily use when I want to be handsfree when shopping!
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What do you think of these items? Link some of your favourite ASOS items in the comment section down below and offer outfit inspiration for each other, I would love to see what your style is like!

XOXO

Thursday, 18 October 2018

DAY EIGHTEEN
Hey lovelies!

There have often been times in my life where I have felt extremely vulnerable, hurt and alone because of the actions and words of others. Looking back, I guess it came from the idea of feeling as if my words were not being heard but, in all honesty, maybe I just wasn't reacting well to things and what ensued was just my inability to handle what was going on around me.

I vividly remember being upset and sitting on the floor just staring at this tree outside. I found it to be so beautiful because the sun was setting and the yellow-golden glow it cast upon the leaves was unlike anything else I had seen. I wondered how something so green and common could be turned into something so vibrant and new. The annoying thing is, I can't recall if I managed to photograph the exact view but I know that I should've, just for future reference so that I can remember it in all its glory. I did write something, however, which I don't mind sharing with you because maybe it will give you some peace of mind that things will get better and it could act as a reminder to keep going even if you feel like everything may be at its worst:

"Once you take a moment to breathe, a moment to stop your tears, a moment to bask in the sunlight, a moment to notice the sun shining orange on the green leaves, nothing ever seems so bad. You hurt but you're still alive, you feel empty and yet you can still take a breath, and although it saddens you to think that the night approaches and the day's energy has worn itself dry, you're not alone. Well, not as alone as you think you are. You have people that love you, people that care for you and people that want to help. Be brave and keep taking that step to start the next day over. Keep in mind the progress you've made though, don't let it go because you're on your way to becoming who you want to be."

Very deep I know. I think it's okay to open a bit and give you an insight into how I too have my low points where I don't feel so good. Weirdly enough, I now have a newfound value and appreciation for trees with glistening leaves, just like the one in the photo. I remember going for a walk on a trail with my mum and sister and came across this tree and instantly knew that I had to take a picture of it. It's beautiful, to me anyway, and it allowed a sense of calm to wash over me to which I am eternally grateful.

Leave a comment down below if you've had a similar experience with something that has enabled you to feel peace in a moment of unease, anxiety or sadness because I would love to hear about it if you're willing to open up! 💓 

XOXO

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