2015 for Lockett's Pockets

I know the time has kind of passed for new year new me posts but as I have just got back into blogging I thought I'd still throw my reflection of the year out there.

In 2014 I learned a hell of a lot. That people surprise you, that opportunities come to you when you least expect it and life isn't fair. But 2014 made me better and now 2015 is going to be one of the best years of my life.

I would not be the person I am today without the struggles I've met, and I wouldn't ever ask to change a thing. I'm extremely blessed right now, surrounded by some truly amazing people who I appreciate constantly, with better things to come. Blogging is such an amazing part of my life and I'm so happy to be back, after my brief break to sort out my arm and general health out and I hope this year to make Lockett's Pockets even stronger, and hey maybe even make it to London Fashion Week!

Thank you to everyone who viewed my posts, liked my Instagram photos, read my tweets and generally cared about me and my blog, it would be impossible to do this without you all.

Here's to 2015, being better, smarter and always seeing the good in everyone and everything.

& hopefully buying a pug!

Elena x

Blogging 101

There’s a new breed of fashion icons gracing the world, and they are not the common day celebrities we used to. Fashion blogging has taken both the internet and fashion world by storm, allowing anyone to document their own unique style online. As a fashion blogger myself, I have learnt a few tips and tricks to help anyone get their foot into the industry & have selected my top tips to share with you & hopefully inspire some new bloggers!

-          Blogging is not a one man ship, I work from various social media accounts to promote and interact with other bloggers. My top choices are Instagram, allowing you to promote recent blog posts and post daily pictures of what you’re doing, Twitter, which allows you to build up strong bonds with companies and bloggers a like and lastly, Bloglovin which provides a platform to view all your top blogs at once!

-          Interaction. Many bloggers complain about the lack of comments on their posts & I have to agree, getting a comment on a blog post you’re really proud is such a confidence boost & has also lead to me discover some amazing blogs through it!

-          Carry a notebook at all times. Inspiration comes to me at the most random times, in Morrison’s, on the bus to university and sometimes writing it on your phone won’t always mean you’ll remember it! I carry round a little notebook constantly, for random outfit inspiration to new blog content I’ve thought of.

When I started blogging, I only thought I would post outfit posts. But there are so many topics you can cover as a blogger, my personal favourite being: wish lists (pick your top items from a shop such as ASOS), haul posts (share your ill-gotten gains with your readers & then maybe you won’t feel as bad…), favourite bloggers (who’s inspiring you this month?) and of course, posts on hair & beauty work perfectly if you also have a passion for them too.

This was a piece I wrote my university paper but I thought I'd share it with you guys as it took me a lot of courage to start my own blog so I'd love to know I'd maybe helped inspire others to make their own too :-)

If you have any questions, comment, tweet me @lockettspockets or even comment on an Instagram photo @lockettspockets

Elena x  

Mellow Monday #9

So it's Monday again and another week of 3rd year begins. 3rd year is already so full on, I totally agree with everyone who told me to prepare myself, god I wish I was a first year again.

- My first article in my university newspaper was published today, I've yet to see it but I'm so excited to actually see my words in print and next issue I'm lucky enough to be getting two articles published!

- I lucked out and managed to bag myself the Lavish Alice Blazer Cape as seen on Megan from Pages by Megan and Hannah from A Fashion Fix, it went out of stock but my beady eyes watched My Saved Items like a hawk and I managed to bag it when it came back in stock for a moment on Saturday. Result.

- I started my Final Year Project properly last week and I'm so inspired by the subject (Women and Technology) that I know this is the right thing for me to focus on this year, it's really nice to feel so positive about my work after a really rough two years.

- I reached 3000 page views last week and I just want to thank anyone who has viewed anyone of my blog posts, liked my photos on Instagram or retweeted any of my tweets. So truly, thank you.

- Lastly, I also begin my new job properly this Saturday which is both so scary yet so exciting. So many opportunities have been coming my way recently, I do feel truly blessed right now. 

How's your Monday been?

Elena x

Mellow Monday #7

So I'm back at uni now and I'm hoping that means lots more posts as I have many more willing photographers to use at my freewill! Fingers crossed!

What's making this Monday mellow huh? Well...

- Being back at university and enjoying my last ever freshers week, which makes me want to die inside but also makes me mega excited and tired just thinking about how hungover I'll probably be. Queen lightweight here.

- I start full on training for my job tomorrow, which means actually working and actually getting paid so yay clothes.

- I'm hoping being back at university will make force me to 100% get over things, as I will faced head on with it, and it's lots easier to ignore something when they're in a different country.

- Setting myself a new weight goal as summer wasn't practically useful in keeping weight off, but I'm hoping to sign up to a colour run and maybe another 10k in the close future.

- Lastly, I have been asked to write my student paper, for the fashion section and will be starting off my writing with a piece about blogging! I'm hoping to then transfer the article to the blog so look forward to seeing that! 

What's making your Monday mellow?

Elena x

Who is Lockett's Pockets?

So I've been running this blog for a few months now and I have to say I never expected such a positive reaction and so many good things to come of it. Truth be told, blogging saved me and for that I am truly grateful for every page view, comment or instagram like. So I thought it was time to share who I really am, to give a more personal touch to this blog.

I'm 20, almost 21 and about to start my final year of study at Lancaster University. I study IT for Creative Industries (oh a girl doing Computer Science, shock horror) and have dreams to work in media or become a primary school teacher.

I'm originally from Wigan, and no I don't support Wigan Athletic and no I don't like pies or Uncle Joe's Mintballs.

As well as being a fashion blogger, I'm also a part time cyclist, which I hope to pursue more once I finish my degree.

I currently work part time in social media, which also benefits my degree which will hopefully improve my job prospects in later life.

I have a younger sister, who's just begun study at Glasgow School of Art and is vastly smarter than me in anyway, but I got the beauty so... jokes.

I'm 5"2, and quite often regarded to as an angry Jack Russell due to my quick temper, and I am one of the most emotional people you will ever meet in your life.

I have 9 piercings, and dreams to get a tiny heart tattoo which I will keep you guys posted on.

I'm also know for my rapid changing of hair colour, all my ID's are incorrect but maybe now I'm blonde I'll stick to it.

I don't do colourful clothes (but you guys know that already) and have a distaste for dresses.

So there's a little more information about what makes me me, hope you guys enjoyed learning a bit more about my life and apologises for the lack of outfit posts this week, I have just moved back to my university house so will be back with a bang from tomorrow fingers crossed!

Elena x 

Mellow Monday #6

Hey guys, so another week begins and it's a week closer to me moving back to Lancaster to start my third year. I'm actually going to do a post all about me as I feel a little background of who I am will be nice for you guys to read, and then know more about me!

So this week's Mellow Monday thoughts:

- Slowly but surely, I'm turning my hair white with the kind help of silver shampoo and 2 hour conditioning session. I love white hair, it looks so classic and amazing and I'm constantly looking for girls with white hair on instagram.

- My baby sister starts her university course today & I can't even say how proud of her I am, for moving away from home and doing it on her own. Some people disregard moving to uni as easy but it's not, I know and she continues to inspire me everyday to be better.

- I made my first ever chocolate cake for my Mama's birthday yesterday. I'm not domesticated, I'm good at cleaning but that's really it so was so happy when it turned out well & she was so happy and shocked by my efforts!

- I'm getting excited to move back to my uni house and have a massive redecorate, I'm thinking very minimal with lots of glass and prints. When it's done, I'm thinking of doing a post about my uni room so let me know if you guys would like that?

- Lastly, another week has passed & with every week that goes by, I feel stronger and better. Looking back, I'm glad what happened happened, it made me realise who I am & that I don't someone to validate me & make me feel whole. I happy alone at the moment, & have wonderful friends & family supporting me whenever I need reassurance. 

Elena x 

Mellow Monday #5

So another Monday has rolled its way round and it falls in the middle of London Fashion Week, an event I wish I was at but am going to try my damnedest to get there next year!

So what's keeping me happy this week?

- My baby sister started her degree at Glasgow School of Art. My sister is the biggest inspiration to me, constantly fighting everything life throws at her and I am so unbelievably proud to call her my sister. Remember me when you're receiving your Turner Prize!

- I reached 2000 page views yesterday, which may be a tiny number to most but its amazing to me! I'm so glad I decided to start a fashion blog, all my friends have been so supportive and I'm so excited to go back to university where I have many different photographers awaiting me!

- I passed* my resits and got back into 3rd year! I struggle with exams and do a very hard degree in Computer Science, so every year I end up doing resits. It doesn't bother me anymore, as everything in life is just a test to prove how strong you are and I've beaten this test again! 

- I started training at my new job this week, which I'm both scared and excited to begin as it means I can keep spending stupid amounts of money on clothes woo!

- Lastly, I am happy and I am healthy and I'm glad my summer dealt me a dud card because I wouldn't be me if it wasn't for the things that happen. I am stronger and better for everything that happened this summer and although it wasn't a fun time, I made it to the other side.

*passed is debatable but we'll keep that between us ;)

Elena x 

Mellow Monday #4

Hey Gang! So I'm back off my wonderful holiday and it's mellow Monday again! Happy days.

- I had a truly unbelievably holiday in Jersey, with the most amazing people I could ever choose to spend it with. We drank, ate, sunbathed, swam, explored and partied hard at Jersey Live. I now miss my girls terribly but not long till University term begins and we are reunited for more crazy fun. P.S. if you get the chance to go to Jersey, go! 

-I got invited to first blogger event! After such a short time running Lockett's Pockets, it's so nice to consider for events and get the chance to meet bloggers from the North West and help expand my user base even more!

- I bit the bullet and shaved an undercut into my hair because I'm kind of reverting back to my grungy teenage self with too many piercings and dyed hair. No word of a lie, I love my undercut, the best part being if I need to be professional I just throw my hair over it! Win Win.

- I completed my first ever 10k race yesterday, in an amazing 1 hour 7 mins which I find unbelievably seeing as I was consider dropping out the night before due to illness and lack of training. It was hard, so hard but the feeling of crossing the finishing line is one hard to explain.

- Lastly, I'm just generally in a really good, positive place in my life and I hope no one or nothing tries to ruin it for me.

What's been keeping you positive recently?

Elena x

Mellow Monday #3

As you will be aware, I'm currently away on jolly's but I was prepared and have become Mellow on the Friday before instead!

This week was truly a massive turning point for me. Suddenly everything seems to be going Elena's way and after this less than pleasant summer, I'm welcoming it with open arms.

- I've been offered a new job at the media company I work, working on LiveHelp which none of you will understand but yolo. I have a massive spending problem so any extra money is gratefully received and I really love the company I work for so I'm super happy right now!

- I'm going back to my old ways, when I return from Jersey I should be a white blonde gal once again. Many hours sat on Instagram lusting over white blonde hairstyles has pushed me to the tipping point. Sorry Mum! 

- When this post goes live, I will have attended my first ever festival, Jersey Live and I'm hopeful it will be amazing as I hope it will!

- I'm a very emotional person, and this week I finally gave in and voiced my true feelings and let me tell you, it's truly the best decision I've made in a long time. Although things don't go the way we want usually, you have to be honest and only good things will hopefully come from this honesty.

- Lastly, I finally bought my perfect winter boots! To be revealed either through Instagram and on the blawg upon my return... I know, the suspense, it's too much...

I'm currently away on holiday but will reply to all comments on my return.

What's in Lockett's Pockets Bag?

Doctor's Bag - Zara 

I've seen many bloggers do a "what's in my bag" piece so thought I'd join the team. My new choice bag of the moment is this doctor's bag from Zara, big enough to fit my laptop but not too overwhelming I can't use it for everyday use. It has 2 large inside pockets for keys and all those bits I'm scared I might lose (gym key, pound tokens, hairslides...) 

Inside my bag can be found the usual belongings of 20 year old student. A purse full of receipts from my ill-gotten gains. Both iPhone & iPod Touch as I'm an Apple addict. My favourite sunglasses as I like options. My actual glasses as I'm legally blind in one eye but pretend not to be. Various make up items depending on what my favourite product is of the moment (right now its Rimmel London Kate Moss Mascara & Eyeko Eyeliner). A notebook in case I get blogging inspiration. Ted Baker bodyspray. And lastly, my ASOS gold watch as I always forget to put it on when I leave the house so it lives in my bag to give me more chance of wearing it!

So there you go. A lovely insight into my bag and my daily goings on really. What do you always have in your bag?

I'm currently away on holiday but will reply to all comments on my return.

All photos by Daisy L.