Diversity in agencies: something a black square won’t solve.

Posted in #career, Industry musings by

 

 

Diversity in agencies: Something a black square won’t solve.

Fresh out of doing the IPA Foundation course – better late than never – the question ‘how to cultivate creativity’ had me thinking. The perfect example essay response nudges you to detail the classic nuggets of advice: Be curious, provide candid feedback, collaborate, the list goes on.

I could bore you with the research findings of Les Binet and Peter Field on the importance of creativity in advertising, or really any field. Obviously, we should all know the benefits of creativity and how it can make an advert punch above its weight in terms of PR, fame and emotive storytelling, further exemplified by taglines such as ‘Should’ve gone to Specsavers’ becoming part of pop culture and creativity’s massive impact on the bottom line.

An important takeaway for me was the insight from economist Harford. His book cites a study conducted by psychologists who looked at how well groups made up of four friends worked together to solve a murder-mystery puzzle, compared with groups made up of three friends and a stranger. The study found groups that included a stranger were significantly more likely to reach the correct conclusion — they did so 75% of the time, compared with a 54% success rate by the groups of friends. Diversity of thought, experience and interests all provide a wider net of source inspiration and problem-solving approaches.

One of the mantras of M&C Saatchi is ‘Diversity of thought’ and I couldn’t agree more. The (arguable) shock of Brexit and Trump’s close second run for presidency sent shockwaves through my various social circles. We were gobsmacked. Then again, we tend to be the by-product of the five people we hang out with the most. As the majority of my connections are of a similar background, upbringing, political leaning, work in similar industries and have similar interests, is it really such a shock, when we all live in such a bubble?

The issue of diversity, or lack thereof, has always been apparent in agencies but it’s not the only sector. With #BlackLivesMatter it came to the forefront once again with viral black squares, but I feel it reductionist to purely focus on BAME minorities. It’s an issue that stretches far and wide, and a thought-provoking elephant in the room is the impact of class too. A black square is an uncomfortable starting point for making us think more deeply about our own social circles, backgrounds and the struggles we’ve faced, or perhaps the ease we float through life.

We need more than just virtue signalling and ticking the diversity box.

One of the many things we can do right now is make more of a business case for companies and agencies to tackle the lack of diversity. It’s uncomfortable to sidestep the implicit micro-aggressions or even to question hiring someone because they ‘kinda’ remind you of yourself. There are already numerous agencies that conduct blind skills challenges, remove gendered wording from job adverts or even anonymise names when selecting from a pool of applicants. A truly marvellous example of this in practise is the Certified B Corporation: actively we stand against anti-Black racism and all forms of oppression including transphobia, classism, sexism, and xenophobia. The new company commitment of overhauling its hiring process encompasses health and wellness, in addition to promising to value and embrace diversity of identities, experiences, thoughts, needs, and approaches.

The economist Harford goes on to say; whilst it doesn’t come naturally to us, we should embrace the challenging process of seeking input from people who are different from ourselves and expect it to be uncomfortable. Force yourself out of your comfort zone and into new experiences, interact with different people and seek out tension. Challenge a lack of tension and strive for goal harmony over team harmony.

One of the best bits of advice I’ve received is to get comfortable being uncomfortable.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on diversity in the workplace….

 

LOCKDOWN LOVE LIFE

Posted in Lifestyle by

For someone whose motto is ‘Trust the Universe’, I’m not quite sure how I feel about Covid-19 totally screwing over my zest for living and working in the dreamy, vibey, yet chaotic capital city, halting my plans to explore Europe and my quest to find the best brunch spots. I’ll give Corona credit though, because it’s sure as hell knocked me out of my complacency.

You see, once you’ve been single for a while and observed your friends getting exploited, experienced the socially awkward guys on dates and damn right rude courtship practises, you definitely lose faith in some men. You learn to become self-sufficient in every sense, much more independent and a lot more discerning of the company you keep. You value yourself, your time and your energy, which I think is really important. Travelling solo also makes you content with solitude. You don’t mind eating alone because you know what you bring to the table.

When Covid hit, I was working in London and living in an over-priced flat share with strangers, devoid of a balcony or garden and few green spaces in Shepherd’s Bush. The thought of being in a London lockdown, with no boyfriend to turn to and few friends in the city, and the need to vacate asap as my landlord wanted his flat back, made it an easy choice to head back to leafy Surrey. I know it sounds like first world problems and, in some ways, it is, but it’s very tricky being single in a global pandemic. I, like 40% of those my age, now live with their parents; generation rent struggling to get on the property ladder, further compounded by the virus.

2020 has effectively been a complete write off. My confidence, resilience and dating mindset has definitely ebbed and flowed with the lockdowns and the seasons. And that headspace is key for successful dating, something I learned the hard way navigating therapy, a job change, house move and a new relationship nearly two years ago…

Last summer, in a quest for novelty, a need to get out of my comfort zone and just have fun, I decided to download those dreaded dating apps.

Dating in a pandemic is surreal.

From the g-g-glitchy virtual video dates, cringe-worthy covid chat-up lines to socially distanced dates, with the 10pm curfew providing the perfect excuse to ditch the catfish, a deadly virus really does change the dating game.

Even pre-covid, I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of turning to a superficial algorithm weighted on emojis, questionable photos and generic bios. I’m clearly the anomaly as the majority of my friends have met their other halves via an app or dating website. The concept seems so backwards to me: to advertise yourself within a set character limit, bait and match, sustain and over-rely on a text conversation with no idea of how this person actually looks or behaves. Investing time and energy to eventually meet in person, hoping to explore if you’re even remotely compatible intellectually, spiritually, sexually or emotionally. The best thing about real life encounters from the onset, is that it’s much more effective in establishing authentic compatibility, pick up on nuances of tone, humour and ‘spark’.

Now would I like a boyfriend? Sure, but to quote Ricky Gervais, ‘I’m not looking for a relationship but if I see a bargain, I’ll have it’. I think with the current state of the nation and future uncertainty, the disposable nature of swiping/choice-overload, the #metoo movement, life stresses and social media; chance encounters, striking up a conversation with a stranger or just meeting new people outside your immediate social bubble is proving harder than ever, especially when the Government makes it illegal.

And just when you think you’re having fun getting to know someone, cue another lockdown.

Establishing a connection, building intimacy and enjoying the moment doesn’t mesh well with masks, anti-bac and varying degrees of pressure to flout Stay at Home rules. It’s been a year of false-starts, frustration and a desperate need for touch and tenderness. According to Google’s Year in Search, “what to do on a virtual date” was a top trending search in 2020 – a rather depressing stat.

There are definitely elements I would take forward when lockdown restrictions ease.

Here’s what I’ve learnt:

  • First rule of dating is that there are no rules. Sticking to sex on the third date mentality, girls waiting to be asked out on and expecting men to always pay is so outdated.
  • Having the mindset of a meet-up being a great date or a great story helps to ease nerves, lowers expectations and means you can have fun without a set end goal affecting the moment.
  • Jumping on a video call early on helps efficiently and effectively whittle down the pool of matches and reduces wasted time spent on weirdos, cat-fishes and people you know you’re not going to vibe with.
  • Better use the in-app functionality of video calls and voice notes to help mix things up, as over relying on text can create a one-dimensional experience.
  • Meet in a public space in daylight – easier to have an escape plan to graciously leave.
  • If you had the worst date ever, it doesn’t cost anything to be kind and mention that they’re great but not what you are after. Not that you really owe them anything, but no one likes being ghosted.
  • Communication is key. Not just up front but throughout and especially when feelings or circumstances change, whether you’re anxious about how fast things are going or the ever-evolving covid rules.
  • How a potential partner reacts in a pandemic provides a fascinating insight into their personality. It highlights their political leaning, media diet, how resilient or respectful they are, how they cope under pressure and deal with mental health, amongst other things.
  • A pandemic intensifies just about everything, especially the texting/talk stage, for better and for worse.

Discussing the pitfalls of online dating with another singleton, we both mused just how many guys on dates are socially inept. There are some seriously basic elements to note; don’t mention your ex all the time, put your god-damn phone away and ask a few questions to hold an intellectually stimulating conversation. One guy, who shall remain nameless, insisted on documenting each drink and dinner course to his Insta stories.

It’s a surreal time to date that’s for sure, but don’t settle for anything less than spectacular.

Sorry, we hired a Robot.

Posted in Industry musings by

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Working 9-5 eh? Have you finished school, survived college, made it through university and landed yourself a dream job that you pinch yourself daily? Think you’re safe and secure? Think again.

Multiple careers

Right now it’s a completely different world to the one your parents or grandparents thrived in. They would have landed themselves a job and have had a lifelong career, until they retired. However, that is no longer the case, merely a distant fantasy. I, like many of my friends, have already had numerous jobs and careers. From retail, hospitality to social media and marketing, today’s corporate culture is ingrained in all ‘millennials’ that there is no such thing as job security. Competition for jobs today is fierce. Job-seekers are impacted by several hurdles, competing with hundreds of other applicants off and online, CV screening software, discrimination, nepotism, the list goes on. But in the not too distant future, we’ll be competing with Robots too.

Are you ready for the Robot Revolution?

Scrap that, whilst it sounds armageddon, the robot revolution and automation stealing people’s jobs is happening as we speak. My current read, which should be yours too, is “The Fourth Industrial Revolution” by Klaus Schwab. It details, amongst other things, the top ten careers that are likely to be affected by the latest innovations that mostly originate from Silicon Valley. And guess what? A psychologist is up there with one of the roles least impacted by the advancements in tech innovation. Hooray!

Will your job survive?

A recent analysis by Cornerstone Capital Group suggests that 7.5m retail jobs – the most common type of job in the country – are at “high risk of computerisation”, with 3.5m cashiers likely to be particularly hard hit, as cited in the Guardian. With driverless cars, Japan’s hotel run solely by Robots, automated checkouts and speech dictation/ AI assistants replacing receptionists and customer service, redundancies will only increase. Although many technology innovations are still in their infancy and somewhat rudimentary, the rate of growth will soon be exponential, making Black Mirror episodes like Metalhead seem scarily plausible.

But what does all this mean for mere job seekers, hustlers and dream chasers now and in the future?! Well, first and foremost we all need to capitalise on what makes us inherently human and unique. When you are next job hunting or interviewing, what skills can only you do? What ideas can you generate and what makes you stand out? Can you be kinder, funnier or produce more thought-provoking content than a Robot?

Our dreams, aspirations, motivations, curiosity, argumentativeness, empathy and consciousness are what set us apart from others, even from generic robots.

At least for now.

 

Love Career Girl xo

Network like a Pro

Posted in #career by

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Networking is daunting, for sure, especially the first time you go solo. Whether you’ve been roped in to attend an event on behalf of work, been coerced by a friend, want to meet new people or need to build your connections, it does get easier the more practise you have. You don’t have to attend a ‘networking event’ as such, to network, establish connections and land yourself a dream job. From merely chatting to the girl sat next to you at the nail bar, on a night out or within a work situation, there are so many benefits of networking.

It has certainly helped push me out of my comfort zone, helped improve my small talk, presentation skills and increased my confidence. Big glasses of wine also make networking events much more bearable!

Here’s how to master the art of small talk, business card swapping and networking like a pro…

Business cards & LinkedIn

Bring your business cards with you and have LinkedIn at the ready. When swapping business cards with connections you’ve made, remember that quality is better than quantity. Take the extra effort to touch base after the event with a quite note to show your enthusiasm and gratitude. By remembering to connect and message your newly made contact in a friendly and professional manner could lead to you landing your dream job!

Maximise your time

Aim to arrive at the event early, allowing time to quickly freshen up and regain composure. Stay till the end too, if you can. This is a great way to mingle with guests while it’s not too busy and to introduce yourself and chat to the hosts and staff. Don’t stick with the first person you meet, and don’t feel bad about moving to another person or group. It’s important to meet as many people as possible, so make sure you work the room, after politely excusing yourself. If you know in advance who is attending, you can research and prioritise speaking to them.

Start the conversation

Most people don’t enjoy networking events. Many individuals will be nervous, just like you. So don’t be afraid to put yourself out there by saying hello to everyone, initiating conversations and being bold enough to join in with groups of people. If you are shy, speak to the organisers who can introduce you to people who are similar to you, or position yourself near the bar/food so that people can come to you.

Confidence

Be confident in yourself. Smile, have a good firm handshake and be comfortable talking about yourself, your job, inspirations and aspirations. Also, be inquisitive about the people you meet, open minded and listen to their stories. Everyone you meet should serve to educate, motivate, challenge and surprise you. You can learn something from everyday encounters with people. Today, whilst volunteering, I heard an incredible story by a lovely lady who was recently held at knife point in her own home, by an intruder and how she coped. It’s so easy these days to stare at your phone and pretend there’s something more interesting, in situations such as networking. However, by putting your phone away, opening up yourself to the people around you and taking the time to listen, appreciate and be emphatic – wonderful energy can be created.

I have attended countless blogging events, networking events and have attended events or occasions solo. I often find it’s better going solo as sometimes, bringing a friend can limit you. Take the leap and challenge yourself to attend some events solo. Attending blogging events have made me meet incredible friends, travelling solo has seriously improved my confidence and attending a networking event landed me an interview!

I hope you enjoyed reading,

NW

xo

Stress less

Posted in Health & Wellness by

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We all lead busy lives. I often feel like the sector I work in makes me feel like I’m running on a tread mill and can’t stop or get off. It’s partly why I love my job, I feel like you have to constantly learn, work and strive to improve your knowledge and skill-set. I aim to work smart, I gym, I socialise, try to blog, read, etc…. but often feel frazzled. A brunch date with a dear friend sided with me on society’s need for everyone to promote just how busy they are 24/7. I can’t be alone in thinking that if you have a day to spare, a lazy day with few plans, it’s seen as odd. Society looks down on you.

It’s as if we pride ourselves on being constantly busy, constantly on the move and constantly switched on. It’s almost a luxury these days to turn your phone off and just relax, be in the moment and take time out to re-charge our batteries.

So, for every Career Girl chasing her dream of getting ahead and becoming successful, there is a thin line between pushing yourself and burning out. It’s not good to overwork yourself to exhaustion. It’s not good for your health, mental or physical well-being, or your soul, especially considering stress can exacerbate just about any illness and yet there are a few simple inexpensive things you can easily fit into your life to stress less, be more healthy and happy in your daily life!

Switch off

I am the worst at this. The first thing I check once I have turned my alarm off is Twitter. On my bus to work I catch up on the latest blogs, news and PR & marketing happenings. I scroll through every social media app I have, again and again. I stare at a screen all day. Come home and am glued to Netflix. Which is why I like to have ‘down days’ or even weekends where I like to not look at a screen and I turn off all devices. Initially, it’s hard to get used to as we are all so accustomed to checking our phones, it’s like we can’t survive without them, right? Trust me, this is great for calming the mind without notifications distracting you. One of the best decisions I made was deleting Facebook – much to the horror of friends!

Exercise

As Elle Woods would say, endorphin’s make you happy. Scientifically proven, exercise has always helped me improve my concentration, memory and has significantly improved my stress levels. It’s important to find a workout or activity you love, and many places offer free Yoga to try if you don’t want to commit. I despise running and working out at the gym, so opt for Yoga, Hiit, circuits, Spin and boxing classes.

Mediate

There is no need to chant, unless you want to. I was sceptical at first but found Yoga, vinyasa flow, to work wonders on my aches and pains and mental well-being. It teaches you to breath deeply, inhale and exhale through the nose and to be in the moment. It really helps me clear my mind whilst maintaining my flexibility. Even just sitting peacefully and taking a few breaths is sufficient – there are many apps available to help focus the mind and relax.

Work smarter

I find it funny when people boast about how many extra hours they put in at work. In reality, I feel this is more a reflection of how poorly one manages their workload. If you work efficiently, manage your workload, organise and work smarter, not harder, you achieve so much more, and no need to clock extra hours! Prepare the day before, with to do lists, prioritising tasks and thinking how best to use your time can benefit you on the day. I learnt whilst reading Robert Caldini’s book ‘Persuasion techniques’, that writing your goals on paper ensure you are much more likely to stick to it and fulfil it, than just verbally stating you’ll complete a task.

Challenge yourself & treat yourself!

We all work hard, but when was the last time you selfishly treated yourself? Don’t be afraid to spend your hard earned money on yourself. Treat yourself to a spa day, that nice top, a bath bomb, a holiday or take yourself out to dinner. It’s important to take time out to congratulate yourself, your body and mind because our bodies are often put to extremes, we are all works of extraordinary machinery. We need to worship ourselves as it’s so easy to take life and our bodies for granted! It’s important to find those moments, whether it’s 24 minutes or 24 hours to relax and de-stress fully and unapologetically.

Go stress less,

NW xoxo

Embrace The Shake At BARRE:toned

Posted in Health & Wellness by

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Who doesn’t love dancing, shaking and sweating to pumping music in a beautifully air-conditioned, light and dreamy boutique studio?!

And that right there was the reason I jumped at the chance to review BARRE:toned. After attending a Barrecore class, I knew what to expect, which made it a whole less awkward. I knew it would be intense, that I would be expected to wear tight gear such as leggings and wear socks, to relax, have fun and, more importantly, to go at your own pace.

Last weekend, on a relatively sunny, fresh, late morning I was finally able to review BARRE:toned. I hopped off the tube at Notting Hill Gate and 10 minutes later arrived at the boutique. I was greeted by a lovely lady who, as it was my first time at the studio, gave me a tour around. Bright daylight floods into the almost all white rooms. There’s a very friendly yet calming atmosphere, it feels like you’re hanging out at a friend’s house, the staff are wonderful and instantly put me at ease.

You can chill-out easily before your class, or after even after, with options to perch on the mini sofas with cushions, sip chilled bottles of water and read Woman’s Health mag. Downstairs are well catered and thoughtfully decorated changing rooms, showers and lockers, with cute quotes like “embrace the shake”. To ensure I wasn’t late and allowing enough time to change into my workout gear and quickly refresh, I arrived quite early. It gave me a chance to soak up everything before my class with Catherine at noon.

Entering the upstairs studio with daylight flooding in (the roof is half glass) was lovely – I detest artificial lighting! The studio itself was fairly small, not necessarily a bad thing, it provided an intimate setting, fitting around 15 or so women comfortably. Surrounded by mirrors and of course the barre, it brought back memories of when I did ballet regularly. This particular class involved use of the barre, the ball and straps. Heart rate was instantly up thanks to doing the plank, thighs were shaking to their limits and my body was put through its paces. I was thankful for the stretches which signalled the class was drawing to an end!

It was a brilliant class with an awesome instructor who motivated everyone and ensured every member was working out in the correct form, maintaining the right posture by helpfully, yet subtly adjusting to achieve maximum benefit. I think this is a really good indicator of separating a mediocre class from a great one. In my opinion, this is an obvious aspect of workouts and classes, yet it’s surprising just how many instructors neglect doing this or have a bad attitude. Especially for first timers who are unsure of whether they are doing a series of exercises correctly, this is massively important!

Now it’s not a case of if I’ll be back, but when! I highly recommend the class, instructor, the studio and the facilities. Oh, and Sunday morning my body felt the wonderful effects of the workout. I definitely want to make this a regular addition to my fitness regime. With consist attendance I bet after a few month you can easily expect to notice tangible improvements in flexibility and stamina and achieve an overall toned body.

Have you tried out classes or studios like this? What would you recommend?

NW

*This opportunity was gifted to me for promotional purposes but thoughts are mine!

My Gym Gear Feat. Daisy&Co

Posted in reviews by

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Now that I drive, you can find me hitting the gym 4 times a week, whether it be a relaxing yoga and tai chi session or a high intensity boxing class! And now, more than ever, I seem to live in gym attire, so it’s massively important I have clothes which fit, are functional for sweaty sessions, and, of course, make me look and feel great!

Following on from my ‘dress to impress & dress for success’ post with work-wear, I strongly feel it is paramount to wear whatever makes you feel not only comfortable, but good about yourself too. How can you push yourself and achieve your personal best, if you’re wearing ill-fitting see through leggings and a sports bra that offers no support?!

If you can afford it, I highly recommend getting the best that’s out there, but if not, I highly recommend H&M gym wear. Considering the price, they are surprisingly good, offering sweat-wicking running tops for approx. £14!

I’m always keen to try new gym gear and, recently, was given the opportunity to test out Daisy & Co London‘s latest range. Their new active brand was launched earlier this year I believe. New to the game, they have black sportswear with their logo, and outrageously bright purple options too. They are incredibly high quality and are lovely and soft against the skin.

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They arrived in the post and honestly, first impressions were that both items would be too big for me. I’m normally a size xs and these looked huge! However, I was wrong. After trying both on, I realised that the fabric was super soft and high stretch, perfect for sweaty hot yoga or even HIIT classes. The gorgeous detailing on the back of the black sports bra allows for extra movement, which isn’t always apparent in other brands. Often, most sports bras are rigid and thus, limits your movements. I tested these out last week and was really impressed by them!

The purple top isn’t something I would normally opt for, as I tend to go for blacks and greys at the gym, but they go really well with an all black outfit. They would be perfect for summer days, especially as I often do yoga outside when it’s warmer & sunnier!

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What I’m wearing: 

Top: Daisy Pansy Print Keyhole Vest* 

Sports bra: Black Cross back* 

Leggings: Lululemon Athletic 

Trainers: Asics from Sweaty Betty

What brands do you wear to the gym? I hope you enjoyed this post & let me know what you think in the comments!

NW xo

PS items marked with * were gifted for promotional purposes yet opinions are definitely mine! 

De-Stress:feat Katie Loxton

Posted in reviews by

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So in the space of a month a lot of great life changing things have happened, a lot of swings and roundabouts, but I am finally more myself and much more zen now.

My sleep pattern has been awful recently and I haven’t been sleeping well. I need to get back into the groove and continue to attend Yoga and Pilates, learn to relax and take time out more. I would love to complete my goal of mastering the crow position!

However, I have found the benefits of having a routine and being organised, especially when wanting to feel less frazzled in the mornings!

The night before having a particularly busy or stressful day, it’s so important to have a good night’s sleep. Having a bath, lighting a candle, and a personal favourite of mine is putting lavender oil on my pillow; which helps me sleep quickly and deeply! I wake up feeling so refreshed.

Also, if I have late night projects to do then lighting a candle instead of using my big light helps reduce the strain on my eyes. And who doesn’t love a nice smelling candle, right?

This past week I can’t get enough of the gorgeous smell of this Katie Loxton ‘happiness’ candle, with subtle hints of sweet orange and mango. The candle comes in lovely white and gold packaging – simple and elegant. The feel good fragrance is blended with the highest quality soy wax and contains essential oils, each scent chosen specifically to enhance ones mood and well-being.

This is a completely new brand to me, I found the company hewson & nash via Twitter! Their website houses independent retailers who sell a range of products, from candles to clothes. It is definitely worth checking out; whether you want to pamper yourself or treat a colleague/friend!

The founders of the company have an incredible back story which you can read up on via their website. The aim is that you can support independent, local retailers, AND you can contribute to charity too, which is a fantastic combination!

I am so glad I found this website and I will no doubt be buying more Katie Loxton items!

Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

Love Career Girl

xoxo

ps candle was given to me for promotional purposes but thoughts are mine!

 

#BloggersFestival

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Held at the stunning Conrad St James 5* hotel, #BloggerFestival was definitely worth the hype. Yet another wonderful blogging event organised by the super lovely Scarlett London – who is, if anything, even prettier in real life than on Instagram!

Before the event, a group of us bloggers all met beforehand in Pret, a great way to chat to new bloggers and catch up. As soon as we entered the venue we were greeted by hosts offering nibbles and drinks, and to the right was Selfie Central! A huge wall was adorned with faux flowers, which made a cool, summary, pretty background, perfect for all those Snapchat stories & Instagram selfies!

The venue was nicely sized, allowing you to move easily around the event and mingle with individuals without feeling over crowded. A fair few brands I had already heard of and use were there, yet the majority of brands were new to me; a complete mix of food, beauty, fashion, lifestyle & fitness products were showcased.

What goodies did I receive & what’s my verdict?! All will be revealed below….

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My 7th Heaven *

I love these face masks & frequently use the cucumber peel-off one, it’s my go-to mask as it’s simple to use and does my skin wonders. So I was excited to try the Multi-Masking pack of various different face masks, each targeting  dealing with specific problem areas. If you particularly have oily skin it’s worth trying the Dead Sea peel-off mask! These products are Vegetarian, Cruelty free and won’t break the bank! Available in Superdrug, Boots and online.

Luscombe Drinks *img_3965

These Devon based drinks are the epitome of summer! They are incredible. The packaging is gorgeous and girly and the actual drink is just delicious. This non-alcoholic rose bubbly is sweet but light and so refreshing with subtle hints of Rose water and Grape juice, and I can imagine it going perfectly with crushed ice & Vodka too.

 

Opies *img_3969

Cocktail cherries! I bloody love these things. I am a massive lover of cocktails and have used this brand and product before so I know they are good! They’re also a perfect addition to any cake, and I have done just that, made a very calorific chocolate fridge cake featuring these exact cherries! They are really yummy!

 

FFS – Friction Free Shaving *

OMG – I loveeeeee these razors. I usually don’t spend a massive amount on razors but I would happily invest in these gorgeous ones. FFS is a razor subscription service, choose out of the 3 options and then have them delivered monthly!! What I love is that the, to quote the website, “Vitamin E lubricating strip moisturises the skin & full 90-degree pivot head contours the body form”. With the end result being super soft and cut free legs! Also, the packaging is cute and the razor is stylish with a good weight to it. Win.img_3970 Exuviance * Since I trailed their other products (See #BloggersBall post!) I was excited to try the Cleanser, and found it to be incredibly refreshing. It’s a clear foaming soap type cleanser which is very subtly fragranced and easy to use. It ensures my skin feels super cleansed and hydrated.

Beverley Hills Formula *

Heard of this brand and was very much looking forward to seeing whether it was worth the hype. Can a toothpaste really ensure whiter teeth?! I have used it this week (still early days, I’ll update you after this month!) and it does make my teeth feel cleaner, whiter and more shiny! Considering it’s charcoal, it tastes nicer than it looks!

Jewellery Box *

Want cute rings that even fit tiny hands? Love rose gold & dainty, cute, timeless pieces?! Head to the Jewellery Box website which houses an array of gorgeous earrings, rings and necklaces. So whether you want to treat yourself or your BFF, they are reasonably priced and packaged beautifully too! A massive thank you to Jewellery Box for the cool photo-shoot at the event!

Have you tried these products or would you?! Did you go to #BloggersFestival & what did you think of it? Let me know in the comments,

Love

Career Girl xo

PS Items marked with * were kindly gifted to me yet opinions are mine! 

 

 

My Office Attire Feat. Tessuti

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There is nothing I love more than dressing to impress, whether it’s a fancy party or 9-5 job. Even if others wear more relaxed attire, I think there are so many benefits to dressing well. Dress to impress has always been my motto and guide for picking work outfits. I for one know that the way I dress has a huge impact on my outlook and my motivation towards work. In the past when I have worked in roles where the dress code is super relaxed, e.g. hoodies and trainers, my motivational levels drop. I have a reduced desire to work hard, my confidence takes a hit and I find it harder to care and concentrate!

According to a Forbes article, dressing for success can increase your income. From my own personal experience, I have received better treatment when I am dressed well. I have had more success in interviews and have achieved more of my goals in and outside of the work environment, as the better I dress, the more determined and productive I am!

The latest addition to my workwear wardrobe is this cool 100% cotton, flowy, billowy top from Scotch & Soda. I was given the opportunity to pick out an item from the Tessuti website – a fantastic online dreamy place filled with a variety of luxury brands, from Calvin Klein and Barbour to Moschino and Ralph Lauren (a personal favourite!). This is a brand new website to me, I discovered them at the #bloggersball organised by Scarlett London.

I am an absolute lover of certain luxury brands, as although some items might be on the more expensive side, I am a firm believer that you get what you pay! I am much more inclined to spend more on an item if I think it is better quality, especially as it will wear better and last much longer than ‘fast fashion’ brands such as, say, Primark.

I arrived back from France to a Tessuti delivery, which I will no doubt be frequenting at the office – perhaps when the suns out as it currently feels like winter!

What I’m Wearing:

Top – Scotch and Soda (Tessuti) *

Trousers- Hengelo

Shoes – Clarks

Ring – Jewellery Box  *

What do you wear to the office? I hope you liked this post – let me know what you think in the comments!

Love Career Girl

xo

 

 

 

*These items were kindly gifted to me, however thoughts are all mine!