Twenty two -

Love fiercely, and don't forget to stop pictures along the way - 

This remained in the Instagram bio of one of my favourite women, Chiara Ferragni, for years and it stayed with me. Now this may not be a centuries old quote from a classic novel but it is something to live by and something I think about each and every day. It's something that gets me going, and that is what 2022 is all about - living for yourself.

2021 was the year of no expectations, 2022 is the year of no regrets. It's time to start living once more. It's time to live for the things that get you going, and the things that make you happy, but - with no pressure.

As we speak right now its the Cancer moon and venus and mercury retrograde are about to clash. We all know what a retrograde means right? Uncertainty, emotion and a rollercoaster but lets make it over this hurdle because as February approaches we will have already forgotten about the hump.

This year is the time to grind, work harder than you ever have before. 

This year is the time to love, love greater than you ever have before.

This year is the time to live, to live more fiercely than you can ever imagine.

Take that leap, dare to dream and live beyond your wildest expectations. We have come from a past of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Your mental mindset defines how you live your life so make it for the better.

It isn't always easy being positive and you don't always need to be. Just don't give up.

Fight for what you want more than anything.

Fight for yourself.

and live for you.

Always here angels - 

Welcome to 2022

love Ooohlalaa its fashion x

Time to break it off baby

It's that time of year again, when it's all things go and there is simply not enough time to breathe. The real question is when you're taking all that time looking out for other people who is flagging you down and saying its time to take a step back. We all need our time to shine but it often goes unnoticed when things are turning all consuming and you're about to dwindle. It's time to take a break and here is how you know you need it :-

The struggle to stay awake- The best of us can all run off 4 hours sleep a night but this will only be sustainable for so long. If you are like me you can rise and shine the second your alarm goes off. A coffee later and you are ready for the day ahead but the second it hits that 3pm mark your pace slows and your energy suffers meaning you will never flourish as the day draws to a close.

Lack of patience- Maybe you have the patience of a saint but a real tell tale sign is when you find yourself irritated with even the smallest of things. Its not always fair and its not always reasonable but when you are run down and exhausted the tiny little things will make or break your day, how crazy it is something so small will get to you? 

Planning becomes a thing of the past-  Having it 'together' might not always mean you are the most organised person in the world, but it does mean you should be able to get by with ease. Forgetfullness, taking too much on or the struggle to make decisions all contributing towards a downfall, stop it happening before it arrives.

Stress levels - Stress comes in many forms and is detrimental to your health and well being. You find yourself checking in with others but did you take time to check in on yourself? How will you shine babygirl when you are the one hanging by a thread?

Sleepless- Whats worse than tiredness? When you are so tired but your brain hits overdrive. If you catch yourself working until the late hours of the evening or playing catch up with what you've missed during the day how can you expect yourself to put it to switch off in the click of a finger? Wild dreams and nightmares are also a major sign you need to slow your mind down.

Irrational thoughts- The thing with irrational thinking is you convince yourself you are right. This can be when you are tired, when you are stressed and when you do not have the time to think it through. You may jump to conclusions, make reckless decisions or think the extremes over the smallest of things.

It just takes one of these things to make you crack. As we enter the busiest season of them all its time to check in on your mindset. A girl can grind but she can also crumble.

Maybe its your turn to break it off, recharge and take a step back (even if that is only for a second ;) 

Roses are red, violets are blue

Roses are red, and violets are blue.

It's never cute when it's all work and no play. Not only does the exhaustion take a hit on your physical appearance but it also drags your mind down with it. The key to motivation is to always have something to look forward too, regardless of how drastic or minor it may be.

The second your something doesn't motivate you anymore is the second it gets harder to get out of bed in the morning.

Retrograde is over and so are excuses. Pull yourself together, snap yourself out of it and get ready for a change in pace. Whether its a coffee, your loved ones, your favourite flowers, or embracing a dream season, ask yourself what makes you happy and what makes you rise and shine? 

If you don't have this, you are doing it wrong. 

Work is important but don't kill yourself.

Don't make yourself blue baby, 

we only breathe roses around here. 

Wait for the days that count,

and better yet make them count

-xo

- So, she's back

and who would have thought, she's back.

The world has changed over the past few years and so have we. I have been notably absent from blogging over the past two years but why? I fell out of love with it. Social media and the need to be seen falls nothing short of a facade. I struggled to get my head around how I could sit here and type about what I am wearing, or doing when the world was falling to pieces. 

When you hit your mid twenties you realise there are just bigger, more important things to concentrate on- oh and a pandemic escalates that. However, truth be told Ooohlalaa it's fashion will always have a special place in my life. It is this forum that shaped the life I desired and I worked so hard for it.

The difference between Ooohlalaa it's fashion then and Ooohlalaa it's fashion now, (or maybe I should say the difference between Tashaa then and Tashaa now) is that we are here because we choose to be. I love the runway, I love the industry, I love real talk and I love the voice that online provides to so many. What I do not love is the need to portray picture perfect falsities, and quite simply put that is not what you will find here. I love the power social media haves as a space, but that space is not safe and is filled with illusion. 

This blog is home to city life, reality and maybe just a little fun. We don't take ourselves to seriously around here, we grind day to day, we have a highs and we have our lows and we live to no expectations.

From fashion, to travel, to hot topic and just a little sass, Ooohlalaa it's fashion is reborn baby- 

Stay gracious, stay humble and join me as I let you know what I have been up to, what may be on the horizon and ... oh, of course I have a few tricks up my sleeve ;)

So, want to talk sassy, city frolicking and your latest style fix? 

Post Pandemic Diaries

We are not the same people.

         The world changed and so did we.

Heartache, loss and pandemic do that to you.

Try tell me different? 

Just because your new normal makes you uneasy and uncomfortable doesn't mean you are doing it wrong. It means you are figuring it out just like the other 90% of the world. 

Time to figure it out together my darling.

Let's explore together and fall back in love with the things that kept us going.

Welcome home 

Off the radar- Retrograde is over

Mercury Retrograde is finally over and let me tell you,

this time it was a killer ...

Retrograde comes and go. Is it a myth or is it an excuse? With cynical tweets in full swing and all anyone talks about for an entire month (this time around), what does it really mean? Whether it is psychological or the planets really do have an impact on how we are feeling (which I believe they do) there was no escaping this one. What a roller coaster of emotions and feeling it brought along with it. 

November is always a weird one for me, it never sits quite right. This month I decided to go off the radar. My schedule was filled, work life was crazy and strangest thing about it? There was not a single part of me that felt the desire to share it. 

I went Christmas shopping in London, another trip to Edinburgh, I spent a minute taking time out, I went out with my nearest and dearest, I fell ill, I worked like crazy and quite simply I had the best time. 

  

I dined in my favourite restaurants, cafes and bars, spent Saturday in Selfridges and my Sunday in Harrods. I visited my sister and stayed solo, waking up at 5am and going to bed by 9. I took some time out for myself and I also spent it with my closest. After working like crazy all year round it was needed more than ever. 

The thing is social media and its influence makes you feel a certain way and keeping your head above  water when you are juggling so many things at once proves a challenge to anyone. It's hard to keep on top of your motivation, energy and engagement. 

   

The things that keep you going are the things that can make you not break you. I find myself fully invested in Christmas this year ... a completely new thing for me. I look back at my past month and despite a few hiccups know I have placed myself in the best position and situations and feel proud of my work even though I felt tested. 

Just remember darlings, you should never feel guilty about taking time for you regardless of where that is, who that is with or when that is. I have found myself in some tough situations this past year and its true what they say what makes you bad makes you better. 

This way you are ready for anything. 

  

You made it this far, who is ready to have a little fun? 

  

The things that get you going

  In need of a little motivation, engagement, feel good vibe?

 

It's that time of year again ... the time where it is simply a drag. In the height of all work and no play it is incredibly hard to keep yourself motivated and your sassy usual yourself, so what's the fix? and how do we stop ourselves from falling out with our routine and immersing in exhaustion? 

Start up by utilising your time wisely, don't over sleep or waste a second. Whether you are surrounding yourselves by your favourites or maxing out every single inch of your existence by being constantly on the go, there is no denying that surrounding yourselves with your favourites provide you with the normality and break that you need.

For me an outfit makes or breaks a mood. Some people like video games, some like sport but fashion is my area of interest. Forget preconceptions such as 'overdressing', if it makes you feel good, whatever the activity, or 'item' maybe- the rest is irrelevant. 

Embrace the silence. Take a walk, take a drive, take a breath. Five minutes out may be all you need. Taking a long period of time out (this can even be a day) can demotivate you, especially when you are always on the go. Judge what you need and what makes you content. 

Don't forget the get little things even when you have a crazy schedule. A killer blow dry and fresh manicure gives me the kick I need when i'm in the midst of everything. You may not have a great deal of time, but if this is the little bit of love you give yourself throughout the week so do it.

     Remember you are your most important influence and you have the biggest control over your emotions and mindset so hype yourself up. I am currently listening to Kanye's new album as I drive to work then give myself a spare fifteen minutes to browse new Christmas shopping releases. Actions as simple as this get me prepared for the day and remind me that no matter how I am feeling this segment of me time can remain uninterrupted. 

My favourite advice of all time is to pre plan. The times you have something to look forward to, no matter how great or small, give you something to strive for regardless of how your day, week or month is going. Having nothing to strive for will destroy your engagement with anything. Set yourself goals, targets and deadlines- just make them the ones that appeal to you, not the ones that are expected of you. 

As always, remember you are killing it. If you are trying, no one can ever argue otherwise.

Flavour of the month

Autumn is in full swing, the nights are about to get darker

 and things are getting a little bewitched. 

Trends
AW19 is here and we are waiting for the high street to play catch up. Expect power shoulders, colour block and the return of the cape (a 2015 trend I just couldn't get away from). From the Bottega bag and slides covering head to toe of any FROWer to the blend of Victoria B shades hot in the eyes of any make up lovers palette, AW19 reminds of what fall really is about. A season of classics in a new dimension.

Christmas releases
Will we be airbrushing with Charlotte Tilbury? Slick with an anticipated uncovered Huda? Or drenched in the dreamiest scent? I always begin my Christmas shopping in September but this year I am underwhelmed. Some of the hottest festive launches are around the corner this October, don't miss out.

Technology
Ok, so it's a new year and new Apple season. Everyone has so much to say when it comes to a new Apple release but for me this year a state of the art camera and a midnight green just about cuts it. I am a sucker for new shades and intricate detail. The pro provides just that.

Affairs in order
Will they? Won't they? Three years after a Brexit vote and we are still in a struggle to define the history of this country, October 31st is the next milestone in our development. What will happen? Our guess is as good as anyones.
     Unless you have slept through the past few months Greta Thunberg would have entered your thought process. At 16 this environmental activist has once again highlighted the prominence that climate change has in our world today. Politics may not be your thing, but the globe you live on certainly is. Don't play blind to the monumental change that you could be a part of.

For your viewing
This time every year Gossip Girl returns for me. The seasons are in sync and with great outfits, scandals and S&B in their prime, what more could you ask for?
    In complete contrast the other view playing on my mind is Star Wars. The finale of the latest trilogy enters the big screen this December and tickets are due a release. Lets call this a family tradition

Travel
The Greek islands forever appear on our Instagram feeds over the course of the Summer months. An array of gorgeous white buildings and the deepest of blue seas. In our amazement no one expected to find them at the top of our wander list this Autumn. The weather delights, the crowds have fleed and island hopping continuously appeals to the many. Have you considered switching your usual city break for Mykonos and Santorni in the Autumn air?

The next three months see trends arise as the day progress. 

Watch this space my darlings, the flavour of month is about to get that little more juicy.

 

SS20 Fashion week | The low down

Spring/Summer 20 fashion week is here and it is the one that we have all been awaiting. Whether it is a Victoria Beckham Sunday, a classic Chanel Tuesday or a Bottega Veneta season that we cannot all get enough. The hottest parties are in full glow and the best of this years street style is arising. I have a feeling it is about to be one of my favourite ready to wear runway seasons yet. 

NEW YORK

Friday 6th September

Jeremy Scott

Saturday 7th September

Self Portrait 

Kate Spade

Rebecca Minkoff

Helmut Lang

Longchamo

Christian Siriano

Brandon Maxwell

Sunday 8th September 

Tory Burch

Prabal Gurung

Tommy Hilfiger

Monday 9th September

The Row

Carolina Herrera

Zimmerman

Alice and Olivia

3.1 Phillip Lim

Anna Sui

Tom Ford

Tuesday 10th September

Vera Wang

Noon by Noor

Pamella Roland

Coach

Naeem Khan

Oscar de la Renta

Proenza Schouler

Savage x Fenty

Wednesday 11th September

Michael Kors

Dennis Basso

Badgley Mischka

Marc Jacobs

LONDON

Friday 13th September

Bora Aksu

Pam Hogg

Temperley 

Saturday 14th September 

Alexa Chung

Fyodor Golan

Sunday 15th September

House of Holland

David Koma

Preen by Thornton Bregazzi

Anya Hindmarch

Roland Mouret

Osman

Margaret Howell

Aspinal of London

Victoria Beckham

Emilia Wickstead

Monday 16th September

Roksanda

Erdem

Paul Costelloe

J W Anderson

Christopher Kane

Burberry

Richard Quinn

Julien Macdonald

MILAN

Wednesday 18th September

Peter Pilotto

Prada

Alberta Ferretti

No 21

Jil Sander

Thursday 19th September

Max Mara

Emporio Armani

Fendi

Bottega Veneta

Moschino

Friday 20th September

Tods

Blumarine

Sportmax

Etro

Marni

Versace

Saturday 21st September

Salvatore Ferragamo

MSGM

Ermano Scervino

Philosophy

Giorgia Armani

Missoni

Sunday 22nd September 

Boss 

Gucci

PARIS

Tuesday 24th September

Dior

Saint Laurent

Wednesday 25th September

Lanvin

Mulger

Maison Margiela

Dries Van Noten

Rochas

Thursday 26th September

Chloe 

Paco Rabanne

Ann Demeulemeester

Rick Owens

Off White

Isabel Marant

Friday 27th September

Loewe

Balmain

Issey Miyake

Nina Ricci

Celine

Saturday 28th September

Haider Ackermann

Altuzarra

Vivienne Westwood

Elie Saab

Comme des garçons

Hermes

Sunday 29th September

Balenciaga

Thom Browne

Valentino 

Givenchy

Monday 30th September

Stella McCartney

Giambattista Valli

Alexander McQueen 

Tuesday 1st October

Chanel

Miu Miu

Lacoste

Louis Vuitton

Chill the f**k out- 2019 goals

Happy New Year my darlings! 

Can you believe it's 2019? Does this make us millennials old?

It maybe a new year but we are less of the 'new me' and more of the 'new and improved'. 2018 was one of the best years of my life and has left me well and truly satisfied but it's that time to pick your life apart and just remind yourself exactly what it is you need to do to get your where you want to be.

2019 goals

1. Chill the f**k out.

2. Free yourself of negative space.

3. Have your say, just a little louder.

4. The unimaginable, the thing you want the most.

5. Escape. Create a new happy place.

6. Share. Your privacy can be overwhelming.

7. Log out, those emails can wait.

8. Ask for help.

9. Health first, don't leave it to late.

10. Choose personal life over pressure.

11. Go to bed on time ...

12. Read.

13. ... Nap less 

14. Headspace, free your mind baby its a little heavy.

15. Give it up, no strings.

16. Eat healthier, just like every other person in the world.

17. Don't walk away, call it.

18. Stay reckless, forget less is more.

19. Let your favourites know you are obsessed with them.

Which are your favourites? How will you ensure 2019 is your year? 

As I always I can't tell you how lucky I feel to have your endless support over the past 6 years, especially when I have needed it most. I remain forever grateful.

Love 

 

Lesson 3: Do the things you dare | March

Spring awakening. March was without a doubt my favourite month this year. After a year of heavy planning 2018 was filled with endless events and bucket list moments. 

Living and breathing city life I knew I was at my happiest. 

City girl.

I spent part of my March in Manchester with my best friend,  a city I completely underestimated.

Being a relatively older band who hadn't toured in a long time, with a new album purely rumoured, I was incredibly to lucky to see Thirty Seconds to Mars. Anyone knows this is my dream band.

... and to this day remains my best night ever.

Channelling our inner rock chicks, myself and Emma killed it with Jared.

I always love seeing my favourites end up living their dream lives. Myself and this angel were lucky enough to see this happen at the wedding of Elaine and Gary in March. 

So lucky to share this moment.

Flawless.

Count your milestones my darlings, you have the chance to make the biggest impact on someones life as they do with yours.  

Lesson 3: Do the things you dare

Lesson 2: Breathe baby breathe | February

So you are finally getting over your January blues and already seeking those Summer months. February was always one of my favourite months, now it is one of the hardest. With awards season in full swing and in the midst of fashion week, February is not only about planning those career goals but also making peace with your mindset.

This past February was a little unexpected. 

I know Antartica was on top of my bucket list but I didn't expect to live and breathe it so soon.

Whilst the snow caused chaos and disruption in England, it also became a welcome distraction.

February is the month to take time out and breathe. The time to find your headspace. 

Whilst my February was filled with work work and more work, I also gave myself time to reflect and kept my head in the clouds. Reality never has to be as it appears. 

Surround yourself with people who understand this mantra. 

... because remember my darlings, you don't always have to keep your shit together. 

   Lesson 2: Breathe baby breathe