Anxiety.

Anxiety isn't something I've ever gone in depth with here.
 Yes, you may have seen a few tweets from myself expressing how I'm feeling but I've never gone into more than 140 characters about how I'm feeling, mainly because I have always been a little reluctant.
One, because I don't want people to ever think that I'm joining in with a trending topic or 'trend', as that is in no way the case and also knowing people in my actual life and people from my hometown/Island read my blog. For some reason this always makes me feel a lot more vulnerable than just sharing my issues with the internet and my blogger pals online. 

New Beginnings

Well it's officially here - AlohaKirstie is up and running (welcome!) and it is time to say goodbye to A Yellow Brick Blog.

A Yellow Brick Blog was started back in 2013 in a time of jobless wonderment after many failed attempts to starting a blog. I have always been obsessed with being creative but having zero talent in the art department the internet has been the perfect place for me to pop things together and express what I'm loving.
Blogging has been such an incredible experience for me and as I am now approaching my fifth year of creating, writing and general chatting I thought it was about time my blog evolved with me.

I outgrew A Yellow Brick Blog a while ago and felt like the name just didn't reflect myself, my personality and/or the content I wanted to create. The name for me was a rushed idea and although I loved that it was different and stood out from the crowd, I always knew it wouldn't be forever.

AlohaKirstie is the new and improved version of me! I know over the past year my blogging has been well... a little MIA! From getting a new job, to opening my own business (which wasn't planned!) and everything in between unfortunately it had to take a short backseat, which made me so sad.
 But I now feel refreshed and ready to get back into the swing of things and continue to upload new and exciting content for you all!

You can expect to see lots of the same and lots of new ideas and thoughts :)

If you have any requests or ideas for posts let me know in the comments below or tweet me @AlohaKirstie! 

Don't forget you can also find my new page on Facebook at /AlohaKirstie (go click 'like' now so I know you've read this post!) and of course Instagram @AlohaKirstie!

5 Things To Remember When You're Having A Bad Blogging Week

As you may have noticed.... A Yellow Brick Blog has been very quiet recently.

Something that I hate but right now with work and general life plans I'm running out of spare time and brain power to create and write.
This makes me so super sad and I hate looking at my bloglovin' seeing that my last post was 7 days ago - shame on me, I'm just not used to being this slack with it all!

I know I'm not the only one who struggles with not only time but ideas and thoughts for posts! I'll have days where I'm bursting at the seams with fun post ideas but at the same time I have weeks where I just cannot muster up the words or energy to throw myself onto my keyboard and type away.

My '5 Things' posts always seem to have a great reaction and I love writing tips/advice/chatty posts - in fact I prefer doing them to your bog standard beauty review (which have been very thin on the ground here for a while now... I'm sorry!)

So, let's talk blogger's block and what to remember when it hits!

1. We All Have Them
Yes, it's true! From the blogging beginners to the full-time blogging babes - we ALL have those phases now and again where we just.... can't!
 Can't think of anything to write, can't get our photos just right, can't seem to persevere with that ever-growing to-do list.
I'm been suffering alot recently - I think working online full-time may have something to do with it - and I've had an overwhelming sense of panic that I have no content scheduled, written or even planned! The less I do the less I feel I can do ... time to shake it off!

2. It Doesn't Mean You're A Rubbish Blogger
It took me a long time to realise this.
There's been many a time I've thought to myself - how can I call myself a blogger when I'm sat here with an empty brain and 5 posts going up a month, I'm pants! 
But the reality is.... I'm not a rubbish blogger it's just a short mini break while I adjust my thoughts and get back on the blogging wagon - I mean look how many posts I've uploaded in the past - I'm not pants, I'm pretty darn cool.

3. Look Back At How Far You've Already Come
Exactly! Just because you're having a bad week doesn't mean you're heading back to square one.... in fact, I bet at least 75% of your readers and followers won't even notice you haven't uploaded, unless you tell them! 

4. There Is Always Someone To Talk To!
Well....  there's never a shortage of blogging buddies - especially on Twitter. The amount of times I've expressed my stresses and blogging woes and feelings on there and had support thrown my ways within minutes - everyone's felt it and will assure you it will pass and you'll be back to you're usual awesome self in no time!

5. It Will Pass
It will. You'll be back typing away until your fingers ache before you know it and you'll wonder just where that motivation and those ideas were hiding! 
Don't stress, even if it's a month or even two, just give yourself time and don't force yourself into writing content - it will never be as good as the stuff that comes naturally!

Keep with it and don't you worry!

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We need to talk...

Hello lovely readers. I hope you are well :)

We need to have a chat - and don't worry it's not a bad chat.... well I don't think it is anyway - it's just a bit of an update/news/heart-to-heart ramble. (yup, one of those posts.)

I've been wanting to write this for a while now but it's been a struggle finding time to sit down, relax and let the words flow from my brain to my fingers, but here I am. #Hello

Yes. I'm talking about my blog and my current feels about my blogging life.

I started uploading to this blog regularly in 2013, nearly 3 years ago now and I could never imagine that I would have actually stuck to the huge commitment that it is PLUS gained everything I have done.
I've worked with amazing companies, been able to make the BEST 'internet' friends ever and even managed to get myself a dream job from my experience and self-taught know-how (cool right?). 
But lately my blogging routine has changed and it's bought a few things (and feelings) to light for me.

I LOVE writing and creating and since the year has begun I've found that talking about and reviewing PR samples, writing about my favourite cosmetic bits each month and general product jargin has been more of a chore I've needed to get done than a fun time for me to express myself through my favourite hobby.

I feel like my content is my same old beauty reviews/favourites which seem to get lost out there in the sea of other similar posts that are uploaded 24/7.
I've always wanted A Yellow Brick Blog to have that little something different and I feel like I've lost it and that's why I want to be honest with you all.
So..... going forth with A Yellow Brick Blog (Yes I'm not quitting!) I'm going to be creating alot more stand alone lifestyle, health/fitness, advice/tips, style and obviously beauty posts for you guys. (Yes beauty will still be a part of everything as it's obviously still a passion of mine - don't worry it's not going anywhere!) (Oo.... and maybe a bit of Disney too... obvs.)

I just want to create things I'm proud of and not feel pressured to get certain things written and uploaded within a particular time frame. Right now having a box full of products in my spare room to try out and review just isn't for me.
 I want to write original stuff from the heart and my head! (Plus I really want to start writing that book I spoke about last year! #oneday)
Obviously I still have a beauty reviews and PR bits and bobs for you guys, and it's definitely not something that will be stopped all together - beauty is what I started with after all - they just aren't going to be as regular as they have been in the past.

I hope this hasn't disheartened any of you, I really do.
 Most of the time though the amount of 'saves' on Bloglovin' and page views I receive more or less triple when I put up a totally original post like : 'The Stresses Of Being A Blogger' , '5 Things I Cannot Live With In My Cupboards', 'Putting Down My Phone',  '15 Things To Remind Yourself In 2016', '2016 Goals, Aims & Plans', and 'Life Thoughts'.  

So, that's that! I would LOVE for you all to leave in the comments your honest thoughts and any requests for posts that you would love too see :)

Thanks for listening to my rambling ♥ I love you guys, thank you always for your lovely support!

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The Stresses Of Being A Blogger

Yes - you've read that title correctly.
 Blogging has it's stresses, and recently I have been feeling them weighing down on me a little more than I probably should.
I mean blogging is a hobby, something I love and do for fun and enjoyment - it shouldn't have me breaking out in a cold sweat or give me an uncontrollable feeling of weight on my shoulders should it?

Since starting my new job at the beginning of the year I have been leaving my 'blogging stuff' until the weekends (as I leave my laptop at work Mon-Fri for convenience) - but with plans and general life getting in the way I've been struggling to get on with everything that I want too, queue - the stress of blogging.

I think, sometimes, people don't quite understand how time consuming blogging actually is - I take my hat off to anyone who has a blog with regular content (even myself!), so much goes into it all but just looking at a pretty picture and a few words, maybe sometimes that doesn't come across.
I'm sure if you're a blogger reading this you will agree with me and ALL of the below!

The Inbox
I will hold my hands up - I can be a total pain when it comes to e-mails. Replying, remembering,  I hang my head in shame sometimes with my lack of internet skills.
 I may spot one in my inbox one afternoon and then totally forget that it's there for 3 days... I'm sorry okay!
I do try my best to reply to as many as possible/necessary but it comes to a point where sometimes there is just no need for me to reply. 
An infographic about superheros, reviewing men's beard oil or someone claiming they can better my google search ranking - sorry you guys go straight to trash and... I don't feel rude doing it.
Working within the PR industry now I do realise how helpful it is to reply quickly and efficently to the brands that you ARE in contact with though - so I've been trying my best to keep in regular contact, let people know when things arrive and send them over any links to my posts/mentions I may have done - but again, this all takes time and sometimes I have more flagged e-mails to remind myself to do things than not! #helpmyinboxistakingovermylife (I cannot imagine how 'big' bloggers and influencers feel - they must have SO.many.emails)

The Post - The Pile - The Photos
This is the part of blogging that I sometimes find the most stressful. Yes... we all love getting post - I get most of my things sent to my parents house as it's a little easier for me but when I head there and there's 6-10 different parcels/boxes/packets waiting for me my brain kind of goes into overdrive and I start to panic.

When will I have enough time to sort all these? What order do I do them in? Why have I committed to so much work?
This probably all sounds absolutely ridiculous if you don't blog (or even maybe if you do aswell) but that pile of products/items growing in my spare bedroom to organise, trial and photograph is enough to put my heart into overdrive!
Yes, my photos are okay - not fantastic, I'm well aware of that, but I mean I've come a long way over the last 3 years from my poxy little camera taking photos in my garden.
It takes a fair bit of time to get everything set up, plus I can be a bit of a perfectionist so I have to take about 20 different photos of the same exact setup and angle just to make sure I'm happy!
Now I write all this I am thinking to myself.... what's there to be stressed about really Kirstie? - but I always just want to do the best I can and create things that others are going to enjoy and want to read... which takes me on too.....

.....Personal Pressure
I've gone from starting out blogging not really knowing what to upload and when, to blogging every single day, to now - writing as and when I can. I think the pressure I put on myself is probably the biggest stress of all.
 I'm always striving to make my blog bigger and better and will only ever upload something if I am totally happy with the outcome and how it looks, which can take a long while I tell ya!
Time is really my number one enemy - a few hours on a Sunday afternoon isn't really ideal to create a whole week's worth of posts and I think this is what makes me so stressed. There's always so much buzzing around in my mind that I never know where to start and it all kind of goes wrong from there.
I try to upload at least 3 posts a week - and even then I don't think that seems enough, I have so many ideas in my mind I wish I could just blurt them all out!

The Comparisons
I struggle with this one and I'm sure I'm not the only one.
 It's not jealousy and it's not that I don't want others to have great content and blogs I just always feel like mine is a little bit pants when reading and enjoying other people's. I get in the 'what's the point', 'will I ever improve' head space and I beat myself up far too often.
The way I write, the quality of my photos, my content ideas - I need to remember how far I've come and maybe force myself to look back through some 2013 cringe to realise that 'hey, I'm doing alright! Chill.'

FOMO
The Fear Of Missing Out.
Blogging friendship groups, the meet-ups you miss, events you can't afford to get too! This may just be me but I always stress that I'm missing out on so much by being over here on the Isle Of Wight. 
All the fabulous things I haven't gone too or have missed out on for one reason or another just stresses me out! Do you think you need to be physically present at things to make an impact in the blogging world? (Let me know below!)

All-in-all blogging is a bloody amazing thing - the best hobby I could have ever started and I LOVE it,  but it does come with some downfalls - all worth it obviously!
I say onwards, upwards and calm from here on out!
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Motivation Moodboard

Images sourced from Pinterest UK (minus the trainers... that's mine!)

When I was a child, cutting out pictures from magazines and printing things out to make moodboards and collages was always one of my favourite things to do.
Of course as an adult now it's not really as acceptable to have a fun wall of mix-match pictures covering your bedroom... especially when you live with your partner.

I still have a tendency to cut pictures out of magazines though.... yes I'm that girl.
I even have a small notebook that I have glued in styles, looks, tips and images that I love but because it takes up so much time it's not that often I get to sit down and do it....

So.... what better way to stay motivated and have something I can see all the time than to create it digitally.
Obsessed with moodboards and collages I find it SO enjoyable creating them on my laptop. (For a tutorial on how I do this please click here :)

Here is my Motivation Moodboard for the next few months...

Staying Focused
With my new job in full swing I really want to keep on throwing myself into it as much as I possibly can, I learning new stuff every single day and I love it! I'm so grateful that I got this opportunity to start in this industry and I want to do as well as I possibly can.

Eating Clean

Before Christmas my diet was amazing. All clean, healthy, natural foods and I hadn't felt that good about myself in years. 2016 so far has NOT gone well for me and I am SO disappointed in myself. Time to rewind to last year and remember how great I was feeling.

Image

Yes. Margot Robbie is my ultimate girl crush.

But, I shall not compare myself.... because I mean that never ends in happy thoughts! I LOVE her hair here and with my hair appointment just around the corner I think I'll be taking this photo with me!

Organisation

I'm becoming more and more organised as the weeks go on and I love it. Not only at work, I want my home to be tidy, organised and clutter free - it's so much better for me, mess = stress.

Saving For A Puppy?

It's no secret that being an owner of a French Bulldog is probably the number one thing on my bucket list. Fingers crossed we can move out of our flat over the next year or so and then I'm hoping it's then puppy time! So I want to start putting a little money away each month for the little nugget!

Worrying

I love this little image about only focusing on what you can control. I spend so much time worrying about things that really don't matter and won't change as much as I worry about them, time to just focus on the things that matter!

Writing

Like I said in my blog make-over post, I really want to focus on my content. I love writing and this year I want to stretch myself and head out of the normal 'beauty review, wishlist, favourites' types of posts! Plus.... I still really want to write that book, I'm determined to get that started this year, even it's just a page a week.

Reading

First up how gorgeous is that image?! I've already talked about this (here) but reading has now taken the place of my nightly social media addiction. Every weeknight I've been putting my phone down earlier then normal and had a nice little reading session before bedtime. It's so relaxing and my love for Harry Potter has well and truly increased by a million percent!

Running

Yes. I must start again.

 Joining in and making one yourself? Let me know what's on your motivation moodboard! 

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Life Thoughts

Don't Give Into Peer Pressure
This is something I have followed and believed in since I was a child. 
I've never been one to give into peer pressure from people, from breaking the rules as a 10 year old to being forced to take shots at 25 - I've always been okay with saying no, I don't want too.
Sounds silly I know but it doesn't bother me in the slightest if people think I'm 'boring' or 'no fun', if I don't want to do something I won't do it - no matter how many times or how many people say 'go ooooooon' in my ear.
Don't ever feel like you have to do something you don't want to do.

Worrying Won't Change The Outcome

I've said this before on here I know - but it is something that I really should listen too and follow more often.
 I'm such a worrier and even the most stupid thing can set me off into a pool of anxiety and nerves. But really.... it's never going to change what's going to happen. Yes there are times when worrying is inevitable and there's no way around it but alot of the time I just need to remind myself that there isn't really anything to get worked up about - relax and take each day as it comes!

Life Is About Experiences

I'm 25 and when I say I'm not saving for a mortgage but I'll happily spend thousands on heading to the US for an incredible holiday.... some people look at me like I am insane - but.... I'm really not.

Life is about experiences, making memories and spending time making each day different. You could have however much money sat in the bank but at the end of the day what's the use in that when you're dead?! Life, for me anyways, is about making memories, seeing new things, heading out and doing - well, anything! 

You don't get a long time so make sure it's a good time! (Don't get me wrong one day I'll get a house, but for now, I'm young, I have no children - so why not have adventures while I can?!)

Always Make Time For The People You Love

This is an obvious one, but one I overlook on a regular basis. Sometimes we (I) take for granted the ones we love, cancelling plans, re-arranging dates, bailing - I am so super guilty of it as I'm sure you are too!

The last few months I've really been trying to see my friends and family more, even if it's just a quick cup of tea after work - I always love seeing them and feel better after I have done. 

Make time.

Water Really Is The Greatest Thing

It helps with weight loss, keeps you hydrated, aids digestion, improves your skin, eliminates toxins, improves your mood, boosts your metabolism ......... the list is bloody endless - google it and get drinking!


Embrace Your Passions (Even if no-one around you is interested!)
I saw a certain someone's tweet the other day, they were super sad that no-one in their family understood their passion, this is something I know all too well.

I bloomin' LOVE Disney and everything about it - but 99% of my friends and family probably couldn't give two poop's about it and think I'm a little crazy! (I know you roll your eyes at me!)

But.... who cares?! I LOVE it and I don't care it people might look at me like I'm silly, it makes me happy and that's all that matters!

Have a random hobby? Collect spoons? Fascinated by sharks? Maybe you are a secret black belt? Embrace that passion, as long as you love it that's all that matters, be proud to have different interests.

Be A First Rate Version Of Yourself Not A Second Rate Version Of Someone Else

Nowadays this is become more and more of an issue in society, especially with us ladies. We are all on the internet constantly - don't lie... I see you right here!
I am so guilty for continuous looking at other people, green eyes out in full force! But really I should be trying to make myself the best ME I can be, not a similar version of someone else! Be you, rock it.

You'll Never Be Able To Please Or Get Along With Everyone
People always joke to me that I 'get on with everyone' and that I 'like everyone' and I mean it's mostly true - I couldn't tell you anyone that I HATE (That is such a strong word.) and I do like to make an effort with everyone I meet.
I've always hated the thought of people not liking me or being annoyed at me but as I've grown I've realised that this isn't always possible and I need to stop being such a sensitive Sally. That's life.

Positivity Creates & Attracts Positivity
PMA. Positive Mental Attitude.
Hearing other people constantly moaning has made me realise how I sound when I'm moaning day in day out - boring, annoying and depressing! (I'm sorry to everyone that knows me!)
I'm trying to hardest to see everything in a positive light - it's crazy how much it can change your day and I really do believe that being positive will lead to and attract positive things!
Career in writing/blogging come at me bro, I'm coming for you.

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Blogging Behind The Scenes : How I Stay Organised

Starting a blog has turned me into a crazy organised lady. 
Well.... only when it comes to blog stuff - the rest of my life is still a mess.... but my blogging game is sorted (most of the time).

Since starting A Yellow Brick Blog back in 2013 I have slowly worked out a system of how I can get all my bits and bobs in order each week and how to not get too overwhelmed or stressed out about it all.
 Don't get me wrong I have weeks where I am tearing my hair out and have no idea where to start or what to do but for the most part I'm fairly organised and prepared for what I have to do that day/week.

So I thought why not add another post to my 'Blogging Behind The Scenes' series and let you guys know how I keep organised when it comes to writing, posting, photo-taking etcetcetc.

1. Lists, lists, lists
I could not tell you how many lists I have lying around. I have lists of post ideas, things to-do, photos I need to take, e-mails I need to reply too - I could not keep organised without my handfuls and handfuls of lists. (I do not joke when I say I can notebook after notebook scattered around my home) 

2. Bulk Photo Taking 
This is a must for me. Working full-time I don't have alot of time throughout the week to sit down and focus on my blog - it's mainly only on my days off. So when I get time to get on with things I try and cram as much as I can in.
When I take photos I try and take as many as possible for as many posts as possible so that when I'm ready to sit down and start writing all the pictures for the post are ready for me to add - it saves SO much time.

3. Scheduling Posts
Well.... this is number one for me. When people say to me 'How do you schedule posts?' I'm like ...whhhhhat?! How do you not?!  
Near enough all my posts are scheduled - and what this means is that once I am done writing a post and I'm ready to upload it I choose the day and time I want it to go live.
This means I can sit on a Sunday and write and upload all my posts for the upcoming and not have to worry about them as they will automatically just go up when they are set too! Easy peasy!

4. Setting Aside Time
I work a full time job - that's 9 hours a day 5 days out of the week. 
So when I know I'm going to have some spare time with nothing going on I near enough always fill it with blogging (Yup... it's a pretty demanding hobby). 
It's normally on one of my days off and I try and cram in as much as I possibly can.
I have my little set-up which I like to sit at and with all my photos already taken and ready to add to a post I normally just sit down and write, write, write.

How do you keep yourself organised?

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You also might like :

How I Make My Collages

How I Take My Photos

My 'Me' Project

Writers block has hit me hard lately, so I'd like to apologise first and foremost for the reduced amount of posts on here.
  I have so many products I want to talk about and so many post ideas lined up in my brain but I can't seem to muster up the words to type - it's very frustrating but I'm hoping to shake it off asap.
In the meantime I've decided to write a post from the heart... you know one of those personal ones with all the feels, not like me but maybe it will help with my writers block?

Recently I've been thinking alot about my life. Work life, my health, my future and I've come to the overwhelming conclusion that I may be having a quarter life crisis!
I've been a bit down in the dumps to be quite honest and the amount of thoughts and negativity buzzing round my mind just isn't on!

So, I thought it's time I took matters into my own hands to turn this feeling around.
It's time to start a ME project. I want to do everything I can to make me, myself & I the happiest and most confident I can be, because like they say "The best project you'll ever work on is YOU."
Those aspects of my life that I'm not happy with are all in my hands and my hands only! Only I can change them and what better a time to start than right now.

First up.... that thing I do 5 times a week. 
My job isn't my dream job, I think the world and his wife probably know that. My whole life I've had one problem and that's that I've never known what I've wanted to do when it comes to work and a job. 
I envy anyone who has a career plan from a young age - I feel like I never really achieved what I probably could have due to the fact I wasn't working towards a goal.
Turning 25 has given me a kick up the butt to strive to achieve. Obviously my dream job and career nowadays would be blogging (or something along those lines) - I have such a passion for it and get so much joy from running this little site - but I know the reality of this is very, very, very slim.
I hope I can find a job I love to go to daily over the next few years, it's just a pain in the butt living on an teeny tiny island with little opportunity, but I'm hoping that I can work towards something closer to my heart than retail.

I've also decided that I really do want to write a book. Laugh all you want but why not eh?
I've said it for a long time now and I've said it in a jokey way to both friends and family but really - whats stopping me?
 I have an idea and want to get started on it soon and even if I'm the only person that ever gets to lay eyes on it, I would have done it and enjoyed the journey. Something ticked off the bucket list at least and something to put my heart and soul into.

Next thing on my 'Me' list is my health. Now this is not only internally but externally too. A few years ago I took my health very seriously and managed to loose a tonne of weight (well not literally a tonne I wasn't an actually elephant) but I feel like recently I've slipped back into some bad and seriously unhealthy old ways and slowly but surely I have started to gain back weight. Something I have been trying to avoid for so long now and my confidence is hitting rock bottom once again.
I need to think more about what I'm putting into my body, I definitely have a sugar addiction and my late night snacking is something which I am loosing control over! I always feel tired and want to feel healthy again, so a new diet and a few big changes need to occur pronto!
I'm only young and really these years should be the best I ever look not the ones where I just want to wear baggy jumpers and the same pair of jeans all the time.
My diet needs an extreme overhaul and I want to make sure I'm exercising alot more. Now the weather is nicer it's going to be easier for me to get out and run which is great, I'm hoping by the time summer hits I will feel comfortable and confident in rocking cute trends in the sunshine.

I'm hoping with starting this Me project I can feel happier, healthier and more positive with where I'm at! The world is my oyster right?

Maybe you want to start a 'Me' Project too? Take control over certain aspects in your life that you aren't happy with? 

Join me - anything is possible, we can be whoever we want to be...... apart from Taylor Swift.... unfortunately we can't be Taylor Swift.

Check out and follow my very own 'Me Project' board on Pinterest - here , I'm hoping it will keep me motivated!

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