5 things I've learned about myself this year | Lifestyle

I quite like doing these "5 things" posts and what with it being my birthday recently I have found there are just a few things that I have learned and accepted about myself! Let's jump right into it with the first one and probably the most obvious one but...

I love wearing black...
No seriously, I'm obsessed! More often than not I wear black on black every single day and you know what, I'm totally fine with it! Yes people will comment and some will moan but I feel confident and I like playing around with different textures! For example, I may wear black jeans with a black silk top, with suede ankle boots and a cashmere pashmina! It's literally 50 shades of black but the textures break it up a bit! I also feel like you can play around with accessories more of different colours because it makes shades such as blue or red pop just that little bit more.

I'm tall but I love wearing really high heels...
This one has been a pain point for me for several years! I have always loved wearing heels but over time I got out of the habit because guys I dated didn't like me taller than them or I felt bad about being literally 6ft around my 5ft nothing pals! However I went to America recently for work and in my meetings I wore nothing but heels and you know what I kinda liked it!! I loved strutting around New York in my heels, I felt super confident and I'm kind of fed up with apologising for being tall, so I'm not gonna anymore! And just a point to guys out there, if you're meeting a girl for the first time do not turn around an say "oh you're pretty tall for a girl" all the things you could bring up, that should be the last

I need to explore more food groups...
I have always been a fussy eater, like really I'm terrible but one thing I have found myself saying yes to more recently is food I would never normally eat such as fish, I will never love sushi it just isn't a bit of me but clam chowder in California or a lobster roll in New York I can definitely get on board with! There are still a whole bunch of random things I don't like, for example eggs or mushrooms but the more I keep trying this stuff the more it at least broadens my palette.

I pay attention to the details...
My mind actually picks up on the smallest details of things very easily, which probably plays more to the analytical side of my mind! If I see person I see everything about them, I pick up on the clothes they are wearing and how the express themselves with hand gestures or facial movements, I don't judge, I just find it fascinating as well as habits! However this does make me super sensitive to change, I pick up on the smallest detail and then try and figure out why! I like to think it's a blessing and a curse but what can I say, it's a part of who I am.

I love taking pictures...
I never quite realised how much  I love taking pictures until this year! I have been to some wonderful places this year so it's easy to take beautiful pictures but I have discovered that I really love capturing moments on Instagram and you know what I have had a lot of positive feedback from people saying I have a really good eye for photography which is a massive compliment. In all honesty, I can find an insta moment in anything, I actually think it links to my attention to details thing I previously mentioned

There we have 5 things I have recently discovered about myself.

Tell me about a new discovery you have made about you or your personality

Why I Love Big Cities | Lifestyle

I think I'm writing this post because I've recently come back from being in New York and I just realised I missed that city life! 

Having worked and lived in Florence for nearly a year (don't even get me started how quickly this has gone) I've started to notice how much I miss the eternal buzz of a city! I used to work in London and genuinely I loved every second! The trains were priced too high, the commute took hours, the underground in the summer was hotter than Lucifer's breath but I didn't care about any of it because London was where I wanted to be! I loved the chaos of the commuters trying to get from a to b, learning brand new short cuts that might get you into work quicker and the overall pace that kept my heart beating! I remember growing up, I wanted to be so many different things but there came a point that I didn't know what I wanted to do, I just wanted to work in London! 

The thing I love about these cities is that everything is available immediately, you want your coffee in the morning or you need food stupidly late because you're drunk from drinks with your work pals, or maybe you snagged your tights on something but don't worry there's a Boots at the station to help sort your life out before you even get to work. It's all there, places like New York and London rarely sleep and that's what makes them appealing! Not only this but I love the influence of different culture by way of food, the different foods you can get in random places, whether it's street food you're after or a vegan restaurant or a restaurant that only serves champagne and hotdogs (no seriously go an check out Bubble Dogs in London, what more can a gal want) It's the variety that I love in any big city! 

I was speaking to my best dear Vernia about life in general and she was like "Toni, you're a big city girl, London is in your veins" and it's true, I feel like there is something just magical about it! However, would I ever want to live in London? No way, never! Because I need that buzz and chaos but I also need the peace that green parks bring to life! Even if I moved back to England I wouldn't live in London but 100% without a doubt you know I'd be working there! It balances me out.

Don't get me wrong, Florence is beautiful and it's my home for now but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss London/my London lifestyle. 

Are you a big city type of person?

Mental health | Lifestyle

I know, different topics on Honeypot Blogs lately! Recently it was #WorldMentalHealthDay and in all honesty I get a little bored with these types of days national this day or national that week however I think mental health needs to be discussed!

This year a girl who was my friend growing up killed herself, a girl who I used to be such good friends with but lost touch over the years and it hit me harder than I thought possible. This girl has been battling mental health problems ever since I have known her and been hospitalised on several occasions! When I found out it was actually through social media, everyone who ever had but a mere day with this girl poured their hearts out because it was devastating. One part of me wondered if she knew just how many people actually cared could it have helped? We'll never know and I think in some cases it gets to a stage where it wouldn't but that doesn't mean we should stop trying.

I guess I just wanted speak about some ways you might be able to help someone struggling with mental health problems or issues...

Tell people you love them...
Seriously, everyone! This year has made me realise life is so crazy and so hard sometimes that you get wrapped up in your world and forget what someone else may be going through. So send them a message and tell them you love them, friends, parents, grandparents, boyfriends, girlfriends, bloody work pals who ever, what ever make sure they know you give a fuck.

Just listen...
Sometimes people need to vent, they just need to scream every irrational thought down the phone just to know someone is on the other line. Also it may even take a little reading between the lines to hear what they are really trying to say.

Always try to understand...
Which is way harder than it seems because I mean really, you have to see it from their perspective to get it. If you are a rational person it can be hard to understand someone's irrational fears or thoughts causing anxiety so don't try to dismiss their feelings with rationality. You have to try and see why they could feel that way and it helps with them to realise that you are trying to help and may feel more secure with your advice.

Some times it won't be enough...
But that doesn't mean you should ever stop trying. Because mental health is so personal and different for everyone other people cannot fix these problems alone, it starts the individual. If someone has made the decision that they can no longer be on this earth that is their heartbreaking choice, some times words of support aren't enough but we are human and you can never regret at least trying to keep them here with you. 

Not everyone wants to talk about it...
And that's OK, but making yourself available when you know someone is struggling sometimes is all anyone needs. Some people simply won't want to talk about these things, some times you'll have no idea about the past or current situation of someone so don't be a dick with your actions be nice, it literally costs nothing.

A kind of deep post for me, but it just seemed like the right thing to do! I want to end it on a positive note though so tell me how many people you have made smile recently from a random act of kindness? Or how many people have you told you love them today?

Longchamp Travel Luggage | Travel

So today I am talking all about this classic but gorgeous Longchamp travel bag. Obviously as you guys know I travel a lot for work and I've had a lot of little breaks away this year so I thought now was a good time to invest in a Longchamp bag.

I think there are two types of people when it comes to weekend trips away, those who need a travel suitcase on wheels, plus like another hand bag filled with stuff or there are the people who have one big bag and their little handbag as well to travel with. I am the latter, always. I don't know why, but I have a thing against those little suitcase trolleys, they just get in everyone's way and there always is a fuss with them at the airports when the airline makes sure it fits into that stupid little grid, it's just a hassle to me. In the past I have always travelled with a large black handbag, you'd be surprised at how much I can fit in there. However my good ol' Warehouse bag I've had for about 6 years is looking rough, it's tired and it needed to go so it was time for an upgrade.

I have seen Longchamp everywhere, it's one of those brands you do see around a lot and think they kind of fit into the high end high street bracket because their stuff is super affordable if you go for their classic design like the one pictured. Personally, I never liked the Longchamp shoulder bag, I think it's just because I have seen it too much and in so many different colours. This being said, I decided to take a look in the store in Florence. They literally had every colour in every size available, but the thing I really liked was that there was one on display in every size so I could get a proper idea of what they look like. I had to consider that this bag should be "airplane approved" because you know what Ryanair can be like *rolls eyes dramatically*

I picked up this Longchamp travel bag and immediately I just liked the feel of it, super lightweight but the material appears quite durable. We all know which colour I picked, it obviously had to be the black one, though I kind of wish there was an option for the black leather as well but I'm still super happy about this bag regardless. It cost me like 75€ which I think is a bloody good price, for the quality and the look of this bag. I can fit a lot in it, way more than my previous bag and I'm seriously in love. When I bought it in literally had to wait months before I could use it as I was taking more than just hand luggage but boy was it worth the wait. If you'd like me to do a post on what's inside my hand luggage bag, just let me know. In all honesty, I think if you're like me and prefer a handbag to travel with then Longchamp will definitely have something for you.

Are you a suitcase trolley kind of gal or do you prefer to travel with a big ol' handbag

Moving to another country | Lifestyle

This post is gonna be quite a honest post about what it is really like to move to another country alone, I have been in Florence for 9 months now and it's gone so quick but I just wanted to share with you some of my thoughts.

It's different...
I know, it sounds obvious doesn't it, it's a different country so of course it's different but I'm talking about the smaller cultural quirks. In italy, if you are in a shop it's very common to have a little dish where you can can give your money to the cashier and where you change will be placed. Sometimes there isn't a dish and it's expected that you place it on the counter. Don't feel offended if your change isn't placed in your hand, it's cultural and it's a quirk you'll grow to understand and accept

Somethings don't translate...

I'm not just talking about literal word translations I'm also talking about things about your personality or humour that might not be that amusing in another country. Literally happened to me all the time, I'd be on a call with another brit we'd laugh about some comment and my colleague would stare blankly, it's fine though again don't feel offended. There will be things that someone else may say that you may not understand but always try because it might actually be very funny.

You will get homesick... 

My homesickness didn't start until I was 8 months into my stay, 8 months...how crazy is that? To be honest, I don't think there is much you can do about this one, other than speak to your family and pals, go out for walks around the country you are calling home and just ride it out because in time you will remember why you are here.

It will change you ...
For me, it totally changed me for the best. Back when I was working in London, I was so tightly wound with my routine and my life, I would have a breakdown about at least once every 2 weeks about "what I am doing with my life" or "I need to achieve XYZ by the time I'm XX or I will have failed at life" moving to another Country will grow you in ways your couldn't imagine, it will make you appreciate things on a different level and it will change your perception on things forever

It will be the best thing you'll ever do...
Bold I know, but let's say it doesn't work out and you end up moving back home, to have the opportunity to live somewhere else and live will you can never regret. All the things you will have learned from moving abroad is something they cannot teach you in school and something that will stay with you forever. You also have to remember that you may never ever get the opportunity to do this again so take every moment and run with it.

So there are my thoughts on moving to another country. Would ever just up and leave and go somewhere else?