2017 In Reflection
The year is now over and it’s time to look back at 2017 and when I reflect, it’s filled with mixed emotions. I can’t say that I’ve done anything remarkable as I’ve been trying to look after my health this year and sort that out. I’ve made a lot of progress with my stomach issues and feel like I am on the right path, but it hasn’t been easy. Because of this, doing anything fun has been quite difficult. Our holiday to St. Ives in June was even quite stressful because my body was reacting so badly to food, heat and walking, so it’s definitely been a year that’s been testing. I’ve managed to do a few things like enjoy pottery painting for my birthday, the visit to the reindeer farm, attend my Buddhist group classes, and mostly enjoy things like cinema visits, park trips, working to rescue animals and the little things. I’ve noticed how much stress and anxiety really play a part in my health too, which is why I am deciding to actually make new years resolutions for 2018.
10 New Years Resolutions For 2018
I never usually do this as I don’t see the point, I make changes as and when I want to, like I usually do. However, I’m feeling a bit more proactive and making some goals for 2018 seemed like a good idea. I’m going to be 30 this year and everything seems to have flown by so quickly. I really can’t believe I’m hitting that big 30 number, so there’s a few things I need to start changing and actually making a priority to help with my health and anxiety – learning to balance work and life more. I’m always appreciative of everything I have already, including the people around me and the animal work we do, which will continue, I am just trying to improve myself more.
Limit buying items and style what I own in more ways – This is because I literally have no space anymore. I love my clothes and living in a room in my mum’s house limits my space even more. I need to focus on wearing what I do have and being creative with ways to style it instead of constantly buying new items. I know this will be difficult as with fashion blogging, new stuff is always where it’s at, but I need to take a step back from that as I have found it’s doing more damage than good.
Start saving as much money as I can to put towards a house – I don’t know what it’s like in other countries but trying to save money for a house is difficult. Most houses in nice areas are a minimum of £200k here and you always need a deposit of around 20% before you can figure out the mortgage, so I’m trying to save as much as I can for mine and Adam’s future.
Start making some wedding plans – This has a lot to do with Adam and I wanting to live together when we’re married. We haven’t made any plans as a house isn’t anywhere on the cards, however I want to start making small arrangements and figuring things out just to begin.
Read 3 books this year – Since I’ve been so busy with my blogging work on the Monday – Thursday and then spending time with Adam on the Friday – Sunday, I really can’t find the time to read books anymore and that saddens me. I used to read all the time and could sometimes power through a book in a couple of days, often eating into my sleep though as I get carried away. I plan to read 3 fiction books this year and get back into it. It might not sound a lot, but when I usually can’t find time, it seems like a huge amount.
Keep attending my Buddhist group – I started attending my Buddhist group in October after meeting Geshe Tashe and I’ve really enjoyed it. We’ve started by learning the 4 Noble Truths and 2018 starts on new courses. Everyone there is really nice and I find it’s helped me greatly with my way of thinking and understanding. Buddhism is definitely a way forward for me. I respect everyone and everything about it and am learning every day.
See the specialist in London about Ehlers Danlos – There’s a doctor (I briefly mentioned here) in London called Dr. Alan Hakim and he’s specialised in Ehlers Danlos Syndrome. I have Hypermobility Syndrome quite badly but the doctor I saw here wasn’t very knowledgeable in the Ehlers Danlos area and said that because my skin didn’t stretch 5cm (it’s still stretchier than most) and I don’t have bruises (none at that current time), I didn’t have Ehlers Danlos and all of my other symptoms were dismissed. It’s something I’ve had since I was born and have had issues with, so I need to understand it more and start being proactive about it. It’s just extremely expensive.
Start physio for my loose joints – As of January, I’m starting physio therapy to try and help support my loose joints. I’m constantly dislocating and having pain and problems, especially in my hips. I can’t walk hills because of my hip joints, so I’m hoping to start working on this for the benefit of my future.
Figure out something cool to do for my 30th birthday – I’m not sure what yet, and it would need to be something that doesn’t cost a lot, but I’m hoping to do something exciting and fun in August. I’m not a party person, so it would need to be something a little more unconventional.
Keep working on my health and anxiety – This is hugely important as I’ve worked really hard discovering everything that was wrong so far. I know my diet triggers issues in my digestive system and wheat/gluten is a huge part of that. I had methane producing SIBO and am wondering if that’s returned. I’m working on my blood sugar levels and trying methods to limit and control anxiety. I can only continue working at this into 2018 and hope it makes a difference.
My Top Outfits Of 2017
Now it’s time to round up my favourite outfits of 2017 and look back at the year! When I was scrolling back through the months, there were so many outfits that I had actually forgotten about, especially from the beginning of this year as it was that long ago. That’s the reason I like these posts as it gives me chance to reflect back on the year and see the outfits that had slipped my mind, bringing them to the front again. I post about 4-5 outfits a month as I’m sure you’re aware, so I’ve only chosen my favourites from each month. I’m really intrigued to know which outfits of mine from this year are your favourites too! Did they make the list? Happy New Year everyone! Thank you for your support. Lorna xx.
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
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Great list of favourites Lorna, best wishes for 2018 for you and Adam. 👍🏻💕🇬🇧😎
Author
Thank you, John! Same to you from both of us!
all amazing these looks my dear
New outfit on my blog <<< New Year’s look in red color >>>
Happy 2018!
Author
Thank you so much!
I wish you a happy new year 2018
and especially health
for me, no resolutions for 2018, because my resolutions that I made for 2017, I could not do them, or there were some events, which made them run away
Author
I think a lot of the time we end up making unrealistic ones, which is part of the problem, so hopefully you can just make the changes and do the things you want to do, whenever you want to do them!
So many great outfits… I like all of the ones that you’ve chosen to include in your favourites. Of your selections I think the two that I like best are the two from March, especially the first of those two. I’m sure there are also others not included here that were hits with me at the time but that I’ve now forgotten. I’ll have a wander back through all your 2017 outfit posts when I have a bit of time and see which I think was the overall best. 🙂
You have a great set of resolutions and I wish you luck and success in keeping them. 🙂 The first one is especially interesting… it might be a challenge for you, of course, but it’s a great idea. I can’t speak for any of your other readers, of course, but I always like it when I see an item of clothing repeated within a different combination in your posts. I think “Oh yes… I remember those jeans! Now what was she wearing with them last time…” or “Oh yes, that cool shirt again… I remember it from before” or… well… you get the idea. 🙂 It’s cool to make full use of all the fabulous items you have anyway and it’s inspiring too to see the various permutations.
I wish you and Adam and all of your family every happiness throughout 2018 and thank you so much for your friendship throughout 2017. 🙂
Author
You’ve surprised me yet again, Steven! I didn’t think March would be your favourite, especially not the brown combination with the furry hat. I can understand the one with the plaid blazer and the jeans though as it’s quite green! 😀 Do let me know when you get chance, that will be quite interesting!
I do definitely think it will be a challenge. I’m used to having that mindset where I like to get new things and when I get them, I instantly want something else, which is bad. It’s never satisfied and it’s starting to cause a problem. I think wearing the things I have in multiple ways might be quite fun though. I never thought of it the way you just said it, but as a reader of other peoples blogs, there’s definitely numerous items I want to see styled again by them in different ways, so I agree. Thank you for actually bringing that to my attention! Makes me feel better about it 🙂
Happy new year to you too and thank you as always for being such a loyal reader and someone great to talk to in friendship!
Of course we are all influenced a bit by our present circumstances so maybe the cold and wet snap of weather we’re having at the moment gives me more bias towards the warmth of that first March look – but, whatever the reason, it’s really nice. I wonder if, for some strange reason, we were ending the year on a massive heatwave I’d be picking one of your summer looks as my favourite? Funny how the mind can work. 🙂
On the repeat items topic: I meant to mention that I also really like it when you wear a repeat item and provide a in-text link within your blog post to the previous time(s) you wore the item. It’s always interesting to click on those… convenient too. 🙂
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Ha ha, yeah, that actually could be the case. Influenced by how you’re feeling at the current moment. I am gravitating towards warmer and cosier looks too! So I fully get it. And I will always do that in my blog posts now too. I know I have done it numerous times before, but will make a note never to forget if I’m styling something again. Easier for you to compare combinations then!
Happy New Year! All of your outfits are so cute! These all sound like great goals, and I hope you get some more answers to help your health soon! 🙂 xx
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Thank you 🙂
So many great outfits. I know what you mean about trying to make the most of the clothes you already own. My wardrobe is overflowing so I want to make an effort to ‘recycle’ clothes I have already worn.
Her Style Hive
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Thank you! And yes, definitely, that’s how I think I need to approach this year!
I love your outfits 🙂 I need to learn how to save money as well! 😀
Happy New Year
Serene xoxo
iamserenel.com
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Glad you like them!
A house costs a lot of money. My smallish place in the middle of this country ran £54,000 back in 2003; I’m halfway through a 30-year note. No regrets, but it definitely takes a lot out of the pocket every month.
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Wow, see to me that’s so cheap! Here in Bath, literally everything costs a fortune, it’s rare you can even find an actual house for less then £120,000 and that would be a really tiny one. They all sort of average around the £200,000 mark and it’s insane. I remember I wrote a little bit about it in my ‘It’s a struggle’ blog post a while back and I know it’s going to be a tough thing to try and achieve. It’s not going to be something that happens anytime soon, that’s for sure. That’s great you have your own place though! It’s always something to aspire to!
Oh what a stylish year you’ve had! I don’t remember seeing that red lace dress on the beach, what a stunning outfit.
I think you’ve achieved a lot this year too! With the holiday, and getting on top of your health. I know health problems take a lot from life, and they can be hard to manage, almost like a full time job, but it always pays off in the end. Good luck with your savings goals too! We have been house hunting for quite a while and the only positive to not finding anything yet is that we have had more time to save!
Happy new year! Hope that 2018 is off to an amazing start for you, and you had a wonderful Christmas time.
Away From The Blue Blog
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Thank you so much, Mica! And I’m glad this post managed to share outfits you hadn’t seen before too! That’s always a good thing.
I really appreciate all your kind words, this year I feel like we’ve gotten to know each other better through health issues and it’s wonderful how amazing blogging can be for that reason. Good luck on your house hunting!
Yes it’s bittersweet isn’t it, you are happy you find someone who knows a little about how you feel but it’s sad that you know exactly what they are going through!
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It is, you’re right xx.
so many cute outfits for the year!! and I love what you said about buying fewer items and styling what you already have. I’m definitely going to take that advice too!
http://www.prettyinleather.net
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Hopefully it’s something we can stick to, ha ha!
Dear Lorna, your taste is unbeatable and I love what you wore in 2017! Thanks for the recap and it makes me especially smile when I see you again wearing pieces I own, too, like the striped Topshop blouse and the Topshop coat 🙂
Happy New Year!
With love from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
http://www.dressedwithsoul.com
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Yay! I liked the way you styled the striped Topshop shirt too! It’s always good seeing how other bloggers put together outfits of the same pieces! 😀
Just to remember, because there are so many amazing outfits, I will state the ones I most loved and then comment about your goals 🙂 I loooved the February coat, the April dress and the November flowy dress, like a bride! And now your goals, I found fantastic! I don’t really set many goals for me, but one I am really trying to – the same as your first one. I think some of us consume or have too many things and we keep on acquiring more and more. I understand what you said about the full closet. In my main apartment I have 3 closets and they have no space anymore. Plus the around 15 boxes (40 lbs. each) in another place, from moving from one country, that I couldn’t open till now. So I figured out that it’s absurd, even sick, and I will really really try to limit buying things – only if something is really increeedible. Otherwise, I want to detox. Well done, dear Lorna, I am really happy for that decision and for inspiring us! I didn’t know about the loose joints, or the hips, so I hope you can find a solution soon! And the doctor for the Ehlers Danlos syndrome… I really hope you have the appointment. Wedding, house, books and 30th-party activity plans are great! Plus, I had to know you are a buddhist – because I love it, so well done for the group! Wishing you really really a fantastic year, I am sure you will have! Hugs!
DenisesPlanet.com
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Thank you, Denise! You sound like me with the amount of items. I have so much stuff in boxes too and even some things at my dads house in my old room. It’s crazy how out of control it all gets and how we forget about everything we have bought before. I’ve been guilty of having multiple of the same items because I forgot I owned something or I couldn’t find it, so I bought a new one. It definitely needs to be sorted out! Just finding the strength and time and mental ability to go through everything and sell items etc is so difficult, it’s something I struggle greatly with, I’m sort of attached to a lot of things, so we will see how it goes. It needs to be sorted out before I move in with Adam at some point, I can’t take all that stuff!
Happy New Year! I love all of your outfits babe! All so stylish! All the best with your new year’s resolution. I love what you said about limit buying items and style what I own in more ways. I need to do more of that this year. All the best for 2018 hun! xx
Ann-Marie | http://facetocurls.com/
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Happy new year! Glad you liked the post!
You look amazing in all these outfits, Lorna. Great styling as always!
Happy New Year! Cheers to 2018!
Much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
Xo
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Thank you so much, Len!
So many beautiful outfits! I hope this new year treats you well and you achieve everything on your list <3
http://www.fashionradi.com
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Thank you!
wow such a amazing post dear..all style so gorgeous on you darling great great combination love you KISS keep posting..
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Thank you!
I wish if all of these is mine.. Such a great collection that makes you great styling icon. Fall in love with your dress.
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Thank you!
I love all of your different outfits, although I have to admit my favourite has to be the oversized sweater with the giant boots. Happy 2018!
Heather xx
https://www.hefafa.me.uk
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Thank you! Yeah, that’s one of my favourites too!
Hi, Lorna, the red outfit and black boots in october is my favorite without hesitate. Very charming.
I have a question for you: why don’t you wear pocketless jeans or pants ? Not available in U.K. ? Out of fashion ?
I saw hundreds of pictures of you and i think pocketless jeans will be great on you !
Author
Oh yeah that’s my Little Red Riding hood costume for Halloween. I liked that one too!
Pocketless jeans or pants are not really for me, I find them unflattering and I think back pockets do a lot more to enhance and compliment the butt, that’s my opinion.
i respect your opinion Lorna, but why do you look so awesome in your black cat women Halloween costume in 2013 ? Very attractive too ! Finally, where do you find the time to reply everone ? you are a very generous person ! Have a good weekend. I’m waiting for your next post. Bye.
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Those were leggings and part of a costume, I don’t think it looks the same as an outfit, but everyone is welcome to their own opinions 🙂 Blogging is my full time job/career, so I pretty much spend 24/7 doing things related to it, and making sure I respond everyone via social media, email etc is part of it. I just don’t respond to some that are inappropriate 🙂
Lorna I think it’s a positive thing to set goals for the year ahead, and make all aspects of your health and wellbeing a priority. I know people often find New Year’s Resolutions unrealistic and don’t like to make them, but I think they can help us to visualise what we want in the future. You said you haven’t done anything really remarkable this year, but I disagree. Just looking at your blog posts from this year, it’s evident that you’ve done a great deal both personally and professionally, while you’ve had health problems to contend with. That alone is an accomplishment, and you deserve to take pride in that.
As for the fashion, I love all the outfits you’ve chosen for your round-up. It’s lovely that you’ve shown both casual and more dressy outfits. The floral print dress with the cream blazer is so elegant. but then there are casual looks which I also adore, like the dusty rose bomber jacket ensemble. The dress with the crochet flowers is just gorgeous. You look fabulous in all the looks.
Wishing you the very best of luck in achieving your goals for the future!
Lots of love Saba xx
http://www.trulymadlydeeplyfashion.blogspot.com
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Oh thank you so much, Saba! I really appreciate that, it’s really nice of you to say that actually. I guess I overlook things a lot as I class this as my job and everyone always have to work even when they’re sick and have health issues, but I do push on and try and work around everything, make it work. That’s nice of you 🙂
I do like to mix casual with smart, as I’m sure you know, and that pink bomber jacket was one of my favourites too, even though it was so comfy and easy going! But I did love that crochet knitted dress too and the dress with the blazer you mentioned. I’m liking a lot of outfits from 2017 for sure 🙂