Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Love. Show all posts

Image of white roses in front of a Vogue magazine cover

We’ve all read the Glamour, Marie Claire, Vogue, and Refinery29 articles on the best products for self care and top tips on how to love yourself. I’ve read them all and to be honest, the older I get, the more some of feel like they're all just repeating the same things. There are so many different ways and opinions on how someone can practice self care. So, with that, what does self care mean to you, and how do you know which works best for you?


A couple of years ago, I was really fascinated by love languages and looked into what mine were. I took a quiz and found my primary love language is acts of service and my second is physical touch. This year, another year of being gloriously single, got me thinking about ways we can practice self love based on our love language. After all, what better way to practice self care when it's perfectly suited to our love language...


Ways to practice self care based on your love language


One // Acts of Service | I LOVE to cook. I love those occasions when you have a relaxing evening and can take your time with making a delicious meal. The other night, I decided to make homemade pasta with homemade pesto and lightly fried tenderstem broccoli with warm ciabatta and olive oil on the side. I shared it over on my Instagram (@aoifecaitrionaxo) and it was a heavenly meal made even better knowing I had taken the time to make it.


Two // Receiving Gifts | Regardless of whether you have someone there to give you a gift or not, buy yourself something. That thing you’ve been eyeing up for a while? It’s Valentine’s Day, you deserve it. Treat yourself to some flowers or sexy lingerie or a new bag, or even a sauté pan. Trust me, it doesn’t even have to be what mainstream considers “sexy”, a Le Creuset cast iron casserole dish has my heart pounding. You can tell I really like cooking!


Image of a rose and a bra with lace detailing

Three // Quality Time | Apple has either upgraded it’s do not disturb feature or I have been blind to the settings on my phone, but you can now customise the names of do not disturb. Why not create another setting dedicated to 'Me time', 'Mindfulness' or 'Alone time'. This Valentine’s why not spend some quality time for yourself. You could run a bath, read a book, or watch that series or film that’s been on your list for ages but you’ve never had the time to sit down.


Four // Physical touch | If physical touch is your love language, how can you express and receive it without someone else? There is the obvious sexual touch that can release endorphins (feel-good) hormones. But —and partly linked— is the feel element to touch. How does your skin feel? I love a full-on a 'detox' shower. Mine consists of a hair mask, shaving and exfoliating until every inch of my skin is super smooth. Then applying a body oil or moisturiser with a heavenly scent; all to get me feeling sexier.


Five // Words of affirmation | This usually requires a third party to help build you up. If that’s not an option, why not create your own affirmations. I used them a lot at university to help motivate me and get keep me going when I was having skin issues. I'd have notes stuck around my mirror and above my desk. You can journal them too, which is a great way to express your feelings and thought processes. Alternatively, there’s are podcasts (Affirmation Babe, Habits of a Goddess- there are tons!) that whisper affirmations in your ear. Stand in front of your mirror and repeat after me: I am beautiful. I am smart. I am sexy. I attract what I desire.


Love, Aoife xo




The first issue of Vogue hit newsstands in New York on December 17, 1892, and would soon become one of the top fashion magazines in the world edited by the legendary Anna Wintour. It’s creator, Arthur Turnure, was a wealthy Eurocentric Manhattanite who mixed with the city’s aristocracy. The magazine was divided into separate sections, like it is today, of reviews of books, music, art and articles on social etiquette. It was read by both sexes but by 1895, it became more feminine and fashion-focused. In 1909, Condé Nast purchased the magazine. In the Autumn of 1916, the British edition hit newsstands.

Now that we’re starting a new decade and with a British Vogue that is vastly different from what it once was, I thought it would be fun to see what my life would be like if I wore, did and lived how the latest issue of Vogue suggested. This post is inspired by one I read on Maria J’s blog with the same idea, which you can read here.

Compared to American Vogue, British Vogue runs their editions a month ahead so their issue in January is actually the February issue. But before we can get ahead of ourselves, it’s only January. So let’s start with what the January issue (on sale in December) has in store for us. 


There are pages upon pages of outfit ideas, trends to jump on board and must-have products. That is after you’ve flicked through the plethora of Gucci, Miu Miu and Chanel ads. Vogue’s checklist on pages 98 to 101, let’s me know that powder colours and monochrome will be all over my life from bags and shoes to clothes and accessories. According to the description, the soft textures and creamy colours will add to my feminine prowess.

Page 54 tells me I’ll be walking around in a two-piece Safari inspired suit. Preferably with a high waisted belt as a nod to the seventies (page 53). Our work attire is having a little makeover in this new decade on page 185: Think the same bold attitude but with softer silhouettes. 

Accessorises is always key. According to page 73, January is about keeping it short and sweet with necklaces that sit on the collarbone. I quite like the classic rose gold and diamond number from Cartier but at £33,400, I think I’d rather use that to help buy a house. On my arm (or I should say, across my body) will be a vintage quilted leather Balenciaga (page 61). I’m not mad at this suggestion. 

Page 24 lets everyone know our secret that underneath our khaki armour will be a matching black mesh Victoria’s Secret set. One I’ve actually had my eye on for a while. Sexy and comfort are going hand in hand this decade, no doubt about it. 



It’s a new decade, so time to get rid of things that weren’t working before and putting things right. Well, kind of. Upcycling will be big this January and if you’re not already a transparent company then you need to get with the programme, start treating workers fairly and source materials sustainably. Waste not, want not (page 151). Let’s look in our own wardrobes that are full of designer pieces, hmm, and give them a rerun. In case you need a little extra help, check out my post on how you can join the sustainable fashion conversation

The New Years’ celebrations got a little heavy after drinking too much champagne and heading straight back to work. So a much needed tranquil break is on the books and it’s looking a lot like the seaside resort of Deauville in Normandy (page 88). 

What else is on our New Years resolutions list? Well, Pat McGrath says we should add skincare to our list (page 111). A little bit of self-care in the evening never hurt anybody and our skin certainly won’t be complaining. According to Jada Pinkett Smith on page 220, the Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mask is the secret to dewy skin. Sam McKnight says we should stop being afraid of our hair. Don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be too out there. Maybe a simple braid or a fringe. Since I already have a fringe, I might try wearing my hair in a braid more often or use some hair accessories.


If you could live your life like the pages of a magazine, which one would you choose?

Love, Aoife xo




It’s Blogmas day 2 and the festivities have hit me in full force! I spent the first day sick in bed and it was horrible! But I’ve taken some medicine and I’m on the path to recovery. I woke up feeling much better and it’s like a light has been switched on inside- the countdown has officially begun! 

I find putting up Christmas decorations is definitely something that gets me in the festive mood. It’s a great feeling and gets my excitement up for the month. Christmas atmosphere is the best! I love walking through the Christmas markets and going to see the lights. The atmosphere is made up of good times and happiness and it's good to carry that through into your home.

I love putting Christmas decorations up around the house. It gives life to the dark, making the cold winter nights that much cosier and warmer. I went out yesterday to buy some decorations to make my uni room feel a little bit more Christmassy. I’m only here for two more weeks before I go home so I didn’t want to go overboard. I ended up picking up a few bits in Primark.





LED light Tree, £8- I love this tree; It’s so cute and minimalist! The metal frame is simple making it the perfect Christmas decoration that doesn’t make the room look overcrowded. It’s the perfect touch for a bedroom decoration.

LED firefly lights (40), £2.50- I have been obsessed with these lights lately! I already have two sets up in my room and bought another set to hang over my bed. With all the lights hung up and switched on means my room looks super cosy. The perfect winter atmosphere!

Large Cream Throw, £9- Primark throws are the best; they’re warm and oh so affordable. I had a grey one previously but I decided to get a cream one as it brightens the room up and softens the atmosphere. Plus, it makes my bed look gloriously, inviting which is a dream!

Those are just a few little pieces I've bought and surprisingly they have made such a big impact. 

Have you started decorating yet? If so, what have you bought?

Love, Aoife x