Sail Away With Me

Being a typical Pisces, most of the time my head is in the clouds as I dream of being in far off places so when I was contacted recently by MSC Cruises and asked to envision myself on board the MSC Splendida, experiencing cocktails, dinner with the Captain and dancing, it wasn't hard to do.

I have always wanted to go on a cruise ship. When I think of a cruise ship experience, my mind immediately takes on a theme of splendor and romance. I think of elegance, dining at the Captain’s table; waltzing around a dance floor; black tie and beautiful dresses.

Considering that I dress up every single day, the thought of dressing for dinner is one that greatly appeals to me. I can think of nothing better than a beautiful dinner, a night of dancing and then gazing at a star filled sky with a glass of champagne in my hand.

The question that immediately springs to mind when I think of this is: what would I wear? You want something comfort enough to sit down for dinner, elegant but not severe; something you can foxtrot around the floor in and above all: something that stands out from the crowd.

I was given £150.00 in order to put together my dream outfit which I decided that I wanted to be a mix of modern and vintage, seamlessly blended together, just like I think a cruise ship experience would be.

Grazia Floral Print Dress from +Marisota 

Shoes - +Simply Be 

Necklace - Jewelry boutique

Bracelet - 1950's French jet bead necklace

Today's Work OOTD

A couple of weeks ago I attended the Manchester pop up shop arranged by +Marisota where I had a look at their Shapeology collection and Mark Heyes was also there with his gorgeous Ava Collection.

I tried on various outfits while I was there (see my previous post Marisota Pop Up Shops) but the one I was thinking about when I got home and decided to get, very surprisingly for me given that I am a dress girl through and through, was a pants and top combination.

I am loving the printed trousers that are everywhere at the moment and I am drawn to anything with a beautiful cobalt blue colour so here is my outfit which I was wearing today at work.

Tribal Print Jacquard Trousers * £39.00

Mark Heyes Jersey Top with Mesh Insert * £35.00

Shoe Tailor Low Wedge Sandals £30.00

Necklace - Primark

* I was gifted a voucher for Marisota with which I purchased the above noted items.

Cyclones in the Head

I think that today is going to be a sorting my head out post.  I haven’t done one of these for a while but I find that for me, it is the best way of channelling my thoughts and problems into some sort of order.

Some people write diaries, some people talk to a counsellor, some people (like I used) bottle it up; this is the way that works best for me.  So here goes.

My head is currently mush.  Literally, if you looked inside my skull you would see something resembling apple sauce because there has been that much in there lately that I think my brain might have exploded under the pressure.

I have learnt by past experience that I cannot just file away things without dealing with them; I am and have to be more careful with myself these days.  It is all about sorting through and dealing with things one by one rather than shoving everything in a box and ignoring.

One of my good traits is that I am organised.  When everything is in its place and I know what is happening around me, the world becomes a better place.  That is what I need to do.  Organise my thoughts.

When you have a better understanding of your tolerance limits, when you know what takes you down a dark road and you recognise when you have a little more on than you can handle; you also know that it is better to deal with rather than avoid.

Today for example.  I was sat at work this morning and the thoughts in my head were whirling around like a cyclone. I got myself into such a state that I was practically in tears.  That is why I am writing this now, I put myself under a mental stop sign to take a minute and breathe.

In reality, I can cope with everything that is happening in my life at the moment.  I just need to acknowledge it all. 

I am worried about illness in a family member, but I can’t change outcomes, only support.  I am supporting another with their worries, but have to remember to also support myself.  My confidence has taken a nose dive, but it will be back.  My sense of life direction is spinning, but it will refocus.   My work life is changing and I’m not sure on the direction, but I will be.  There is a tiny knife in my back that I didn’t realise was there, but now I see it, I can steel myself to it.

I feel better for writing this.  It doesn’t change anything but it helps just to refocus.  People ask why you would hit “publish” on a personal post, but I find that by posting it, it helps to keep me on an even keel. 

Fashion, rants and daily thoughts will resume tomorrow!