ARGYLE IN THE EIGHTIES & MY NEW SEASON GOALS

This post is long overdue, for which I apologise for. I recapped over my summer goals a good two months ago now so have had a fair while to think about the things I'd like to achieve throughout winter, but I must admit, the goals took a while to come to me this time around so I didn't put too much pressure on myself to get them listed and written out.

But alas here I am with a fresh set of goals for the winter months. I've been setting seasonal goals for the last two years now and really rather enjoying having a place to refer back to, to keep me on track. Life can be so hectic sometimes and it's often hard (for me at least) to achieve what I want to do when so many other curveballs, both exciting and otherwise, are thrown my way. These posts act as a reminder to stay true to myself and to give me that motivational kick up the bum when I'm feeling a little lost. I'd highly recommend giving them a go yourself, if you're feeling a little out of sorts, disorganised of just unsure with where you're headed, taking some time to think about what you'd like to achieve and how you plan to achieve it and actually writing them down is really great for clearing your head and adding some clarity to your life.

Before we get on with the goals, I thought I'd do a quick shout out to this outfit. It's an outfit that admittedly I've been wearing an awful lot recently and every time I love it that little bit more. Taking style tips from your Grandad once again (similarly to this post) and rocking eighties style argyle in the form of this divine Stella McCartney cardigan that I bagged on sale at The Outnet and have since fallen totally in love with especially when teamed with Michael Kors optical glasses that Eddie The Eagle would be proud of!
Statement pieces such as this don't need to be as daunting as you might think them to be- simply team them with a plain tee, in this case a black tee by Mango and a pair of straight leg jeans, these are by & Other Stories and are my all time favourites. But, if you're feeling really brave, replace your white trainers (which would also look divine with this look) with a pair of white western style boots from ALDO and clash the hell out of your argyle with leopard print, 'cause... Why the heck not!?

I'm sat here listening to classical music and my goodness do I feel zen. It's 12:30 on a Wednesday afternoon, I woke up with the beginnings of a cold (I'm blaming you George) so took some time for me. I had a long hot bubble bath, I gave myself a mini facial fit with face mask AND jade rolling and I've tidied my office so it's fit enough to work in. I've not worked from my office in months, opting instead for my dining room table or sofa, both of which I find to be extremely productive places of work. However, today I fancied lighting some candles, switching on the fairy lights and lamps and getting cosy in my newly completed office and whilst I'm tapping away here writing this blog post and whilst I know I've got a zillion other things on my list for today, I'm feeling strangely relaxed and totally zenned up.

This brings me nicely onto my first goal, although they are in no particular order.

I want to relax more.

It sounds a bit daft to be writing a goal that is based around relaxing, I mean how non-relaxed is that ey!? But seriously, in a world full of GO GO GO I'm finding myself flagging a little bit currently. Of course it doesn't help that the days are getting darker quicker, I'm now running two businesses single handedly whilst keeping my home clean and tidy (maybe it's time to hire a cleaner!?) and my little pups Peter & Nancy alive and happy. But I'm also partial to enjoying myself on a weekend with friends and family and a glass or two of wine... I wouldn't say I'm burning the candle at both ends as I'm not a huge "partier" but I am constantly tired and constantly thinking about work. So I want to switch off a little more, I want to listen to classical music whilst reading a book or relaxing with a face mask and a meditation app, I want to find a little more zen in my life, something I've always been quite good at achieving but this year has been a little rocky in parts and hugely hectic for the most part. I'm going to set myself the very easy task of reading at least two books before March (pathetic I know) and I'm going to work out which classical artists I truly love and whether this meditating malarky is for me... Watch this space.

Saturday By Megan Ellaby

Speaking of running two business single handedly a HUGE goal of mine for the next year is to continue with Saturday By Megan Ellaby, my brand new clothing line that I've been working on for the whole of this year.
It's been such a crazy 4 weeks since we launched and I'm so proud of what I've achieved. The designs have been so well received by you guys and I've learnt A LOT along the way. I want to take those learnings and develop this brand into something bigger, something I know it can be. I can't wait for you to see the next collection, for you to get the restock you all so desperately want and to branch out into other types of products. I'm thinking the perfect A-Line skirt, some slogan tee's and a couple of must have accessories to start with but my goodness is this exciting for me. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart for all of your wonderful feedback on Saturday and I truly hope you come along with me for the ride.
Shop whats left of the first collection here.

Start A Podcast

So the same girl who just said she's pooped, is now saying that she wants to start a podcast... SURE Megan SURE!
But seriously, I'm SO into listening to Podcasts that I would truly love nothing more than to have my own. I'm thinking of co-hosting with my sister Faye, which would be SO much fun and of course it would be centered around fashion and styling but please, if you have any ideas or anything you'd love me and Faye to chat about etc then do let me know 🙂 We're really excited to potentially get this off the ground.

Get Some New Tattoos

Something totally frivolous and totally trivial but I'd like to add to the tattoos I already have by adding one or two more into the mix. I'm still very much into tattoos that can be hidden easily but I've been sat on three designs for the past couple of years and I think it's time to set to work with finding the perfect artist to do them.
If you have any incredible recommendations for tattooists that specialise in super fine tattoos then please do leave them in the comments, I am totally prepared to travel for the best of the best.

Book A Holiday

When I was growing up, I remember my mum and dad putting money away each and every month to pay off the impending summer holiday. We were lucky enough to go away every summer but I know that my mum and dad worked SO super hard to allow us to have this luxury. My mum would book it a good year or even further in advance as it was something to look forward to and to work towards, something that has been instilled in me ever since.
I'd like to book a holiday for next year as something to keep me on track some more (in addition to this blogpost of course) and to give me something to aim and work towards. It's nice to know that there is a relaxing light at the end of the tunnel, especially as I have come to learn that this time of year is always my busiest and man am I feeling it already!
George and I went away to the Maldives early last year for a much needed break and whilst that was a complimentary trip, it was still SO totally relaxing and a real switch off from real life. We're after something of that ilk once again so if you have any suggestions of fabulous countries, resorts or hotels then please, once again do let me know 🙂

Buy Less, Style More

This year has been nothing but eventful. I've had so much going on both work-wise and personal wise AND I've learnt so freaking much!
One of the biggest learnings and biggest shifts in my world is about the state of our planet and particularly the fashion industry's impact on it. Whilst it's been a terrifying learning and something that has threatened my career and the career of my peers, it's also been truly eye opening and has allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and create new ways of sharing my style. It's also allowed me to realise the detrimental affect that we as consumers are having on the environment and has allowed me to adapt my content accordingly, which, if nothing else has been fun to do. I'm enjoying buying a LOT less and styling up the items I do have a LOT more.
I've been buying better quality items in the hope that they will last and last and will also force me to style up in different ways through fear of having "wasted" my money, not a thought that would cross my mind when purchasing a £25 top from ASOS every other week...

I plan to continue on this journey through the colder months and onwards. To keep educating myself and those around me with the impact we're having on the environment and to inspire you to rewear your pieces and to be an "outfit repeater!"

Stay True To Myself

And finally, my ultimate goal is to stay true to myself, this season and forever more! As I've already said this year has been a bit of a messy one. I've been thrown off kilter more times than I care to mention, cried through feeling lost in myself too many times and wobbled my way through 8 out of 12 months of 2018. I read some things about myself, or what people thought they knew about myself, and it swallowed me up. It became all I thought about and it ate up my personality, my creativity, my positivity and my unique voice with it. I doubted myself every single day and I lost myself. It was only recently when I read yet another bloody comment online, from someone who actually enjoyed what I did, that I had a reality check. I'd let the haters win. I'd let their cruel comments eat away at me until I'd lost what made other, more kind people tune into my channels every week.
So now I'm back, officially now, feeling determind, creative, organised and positive once again and it's so nice that you guys are noticing it too. I'm sorry that I wasn't myself for so long, I don't even think I realised how lost I was until I found myself again... As cliche as that may sound. But yes, a big one for all of us to remember is to stay true. Don't let the haters bring you down, keep on being your bright, shiny self and simply do you.
It's okay to wobble sometimes, to be stressed, confused and sad, but it's important to remember that being yourself is the best thing you can be, everybody else is taken anyway!

So there we have my goals for the next few months, whilst it's cold at least.
Some are more achievable than others and some are a work in progress for the next year or two but they're something positive to work towards at least. I'd love to hear if this has inspired you to set any personal goals for yourself too? Honestly I can't tell you how therapeutic writing this blogpost has been. Sat at my new desk, with my favourite candle flickering and a spot of Classical playing (I'll leave the playlist below) and talking about the things I want to achieve next whilst semi-reflecting on the past, seriously, you should give it a go.

Lotsa Love

x M

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROSIE BUTCHER