5 Creative Skills I Want to Learn

As a design student, I feel like I have a pretty good set of creative skills under my belt. That doesn't mean I'm not willing to add more though. Here are 5 skills I really want to learn how to do whether than be in a classroom environment or at home. 

1. Hand Embroidery
This is one of those things that I've been meaning to try but just haven't had the time or resources to do so. I see all these incredible designs pop up on my Pinterest feed from time to time and it makes me want to learn so badly. I'm hoping to go to my local craft shop sometime soon and pick up an embroidery hoop and some different coloured thread. Then once the mid-year break comes around, I'll have no excuse not to give it a go. 

2. DSLR Cameras
I'm definitely very capable with the camera I own at the moment but that's because it's the most basic camera ever. It used to be the whole family's and we bought it all the way back in 2012 or 2013. It still produces decent quality photos but because it's just a normal digital camera, it functions quite differently from a DSLR. I took a photography course for a very short time at Uni last year but I can't say I took a lot away from those classes. I really want to learn how to use a DSLR properly so I can take more professional looking photos for both my blog and other things. 

3. Animation
This was another creative skill that I encountered last year at Uni. We had to use Adobe After Effects to create a very short animation for one of our designs. I actually really enjoyed bringing a static image to life. Since then, I haven't had much to do much animation but I'd really love to get back into it again. 

4. Jewelry Making
A couple of months ago, my friend and I had a craft day where we made our own earrings. It was a great time! Earrings were a definitely a great introduction to jewelry making but I'd love to make something slightly more advanced like a necklace or bracelet. I really want to experiment more with wire and beading. I have so many pretty beads and charms from my childhood that I could use. 

5. Cake Decorating
I've been loving cake decorating shows recently. Some of those cakes are honestly works of art! Like things you'd expect to see in a glass cabinet in a museum. I really want to take a cake decorating course one day. Even though baking isn't exactly my forte, decorating is where I think the real fun begins anyway. I love how creative people get with their cake designs. It's so inspiring! 

Q: What's a creative skill you want to pick up?
Thanks for reading!  

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How to Have Fun Tidying Your Room

As much as I love tidying my room, I know many consider it the biggest of chores. 

I'm sure there was a time in my life when I didn't love making my bed or organising my desk but I honestly don't recall it. I feel like packing up after myself and making things look presentable are two rules that have been engrained in me from a very young age. My mum definitely played a massive role in this. She's the most organised person I know and I think over time, her tidiness just started to rub off on me. 

If you're someone that finds cleaning their room a mission and a half (and honestly, it's okay if you do!), this post is just for you. Here are four ways to make tidying your room fun!

Incorporate a Theme
A couple of weeks ago, I was cleaning my room and decided I wanted to change the colour scheme. It used to be all about the pastels, now I've narrowed it down to three main colours; pink, grey and white. I think it's important to give your room personality. Your theme doesn't necessarily have to revolve around colour, it could showcase a specific season or holiday, your favourite TV show or a hobby you really enjoy. Your room is a space meant just for you. Don't be afraid to put your own creative spin on it!

Do it With a Friend
Having a friend by your side makes everything 10 times better. Rather than dreading the tidying process, turn it into an excuse to hang with your bestie. I've done this before with a couple of my friends. It's great because after a while it stops feeling like a cleaning job and more like a normal hang out. Don't forget to play some tunes while you're at it. It really helps to keep the mood upbeat. 

Reorganise Decor
If you're tidying your space, definitely use it as a chance to shuffle things around. Tidying doesn't just have to be about putting things back where they belong. You can make it a lot more interesting by rearranging your room decor. I do this all the time. I look at what I have on display and then I like to place it somewhere new to see if it looks better or worse. Reorganising things should help keep you on your toes and stop you from losing interest in the actual cleaning. 

Take a Before And After Picture
I always forget to do this with my room but I've done it with a couple of other things I've tidied. It's nice to have a visual representation of your progress. It also gives you an incentive to clean that little bit harder. The more dramatic the change is between the two photos, the more accomplished you should feel. 

Q: Do you enjoy cleaning your room?
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Second-Hand Book Haul

I love reading. It's one of my favourite pastimes. 

When I pick up a paperback, I instantly feel relaxed and at ease. For me, nothing can replace the feel of a physical book. I recently visited a second-hand book store at this little town an hours drive from my home and picked up a couple of books while I was there. There was such a great selection of books to choose from! At an ordinary book store, I don't really like to buy several books at once but at a second-hand bookstore, it's a completely different story. You can get the most amazing bargains. In fact, the amount I paid for all four books is the same amount I'd pay for one brand new. 

With that being said, here are the books I decided on. 

Room - Emma Donoghue
I heard about this book way back in high school and have been meaning to read it ever since. I know there's a film based on it so I'd love to watch it after reading this. The plot sounds very intriguing to me. I have a feeling it'll be one of those books you finish in one sitting. 

Joy Luck Club - Amy Tan
I watched this movie with my Mum on DVD years ago. I've already started reading this one and it's bringing back all these memories from the film. Turns out I remember the story a lot better than I thought. The cover is also so pretty! There was another copy of this book at the shop but I chose this one specifically because of how nice the front is. 

Little Fires Everywhere - Celeste Ng
I hadn't heard of this book before picking it up but after reading the blurb, I really liked the sound of it. I'm also a huge fan of Jodi Picoult so the fact that she thought highly of it made me even more keen to read it. 

The Botanist's Daughter - Kayte Nunn
I have to admit, the cover definitely did a good job of drawing me in. I know you're not supposed to judge a book entirely on its cover but the pretty florals and pastel background really had that visual appeal. I also found the blurb really interesting so it was definitely a win-win situation.

Q: Have you read any of these books before?

Thanks for reading! 

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Let's Talk About Jobs

When it comes to finding a job, timing is super important. 

You can have the ideal skills, qualifications and experience but if a business or company isn't looking for new employees then it's a lost cause right from the start. Ever since I left my last part time job a couple of weeks ago, I've been on the hunt for a new permanent role. I still have casual jobs that I do a couple times a month, but nothing on a fixed basis. I know everyone can probably relate when I say finding yourself a new job can be quite the journey and sometimes you end up where you least expected yourself to be. This isn't necessarily a bad thing. Apply for jobs you think you'll be a good fit for but don't rule everything else out entirely. You never know what you can and can't do until your try. 

This is what my mentality was going into my last job. The one I decided to leave. I gave it my best shot. I embraced the new environment, co-workers and tasks given to me but in the end, it wasn't quite enough. That's another thing about jobs. You need to stay open minded but you shouldn't have to sacrifice your own happiness in the process. If a job is making you doubt yourself and what you know, then it might be worth looking elsewhere. The part time job was okay initially but after a while, I started to feel like my lack of knowledge in the field I was working in was slowing both me and my co-workers down. I could tell I wasn't the only one getting frustrated while working and this made me even more resentful of the job. Although it was quite hard for me to come to the conclusion that I wasn't all that good at the role I was in, I knew in my heart that there was no point forcing something that already wasn't working. 

Another thing I've found with jobs is that connections can really make a difference. Whether that person is telling you first hand about a role they have open or personally referring you to their boss/employer, having someone on the inside definitely has it's advantages. I don't think there's anything wrong with telling friends and family that you're looking for work. A couple of the jobs I've had, I heard about through people I knew. I feel like everyone understands how hard job hunting is so there's no reason why your friends and family won't want to help you.

These are just a couple of things that have been on my mind recently in terms of finding work. Let me know your thoughts on the subject down below!

Q: How many jobs have you had in your life?
Thanks for reading!

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Tips For Public Speaking

Speeches have always been my Achilles heel. I recently talked to a guy from my old Primary school and the one recollection he had of me is the time I cried before doing my speech in class. 

I was Year 4. 

I'd like to say I've improved since then but a couple of days ago, I had to give a presentation for one of my Uni courses and I was a nervous wreck. My voice was shaky, I kept fidgeting with my hands and to make matters worse, the slides from the powerpoint I prepared were all in the wrong order. I know there are a lot of people that struggle with public speaking so if you also fall under this category, I really hope this post helps with your next speech or presentation. 

Fake it Til You Make it
I tell myself this phrase all the time. The mind is a strange thing and pretending to feel a certain way can have a massive effect on how you actually feel. If you try and act like you're having a good time, you might start to actually enjoy yourself after a period of time. I can't say this always works but it definitely helps the audience engage more with what you're saying. 

Don't Overthink it
Cue cards are great but aren't always necessary. While it's good to prepare, don't overdo it to the extent that it feels unnatural. Having notes to refer to can sometimes stiffen you up while you're speaking. Of course you should go through what you want to talk about beforehand but don't dwell on this too much. Another thing to remember is to go into your speech with a positive frame of mind. Sometimes if you imagine everything to go wrong, you're almost willing it to happen.

Remember it's a Legitimate Fear 
If you're feeling anxious about going up in front of everyone to speak and your heart is beating a hundred miles per hour, chances are someone else is experiencing that exact same feeling. There's absolutely nothing wrong with being nervous to talk in front a crowd of people. It's scary having so many eyes on you at once. Don't dismiss your fear or tell yourself that you're being silly. In fact, acknowledge it. I had several people in my Uni class go up to the front and say they hated public speaking before their speech. Sometimes addressing your fear can make it seem a lot more okay. 

Q: Do you like public speaking?
Thanks for reading!

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My Favourite Op Shop Finds

I'm going to be completely transparent here and say this week's post was very last minute. All my Uni deadlines are next week and I've been focusing so much on getting them finished that I completely forgot about writing a blog post. In saying that, I've definitely been due for another photography style post since my last one was a couple months ago. I also really wanted to do a post that expressed my love for op shopping. So here it is! Here are my favourite op shop finds so far!

Floral Dress

 

Checkered Dress

 

Cream Coloured Skirt

 

Pink Off-The-Shoulder Top

 

Q: What's the best thing you've found at an op shop?

Sorry again for the last minute post! Once my deadlines are out of the way, I can assure you I'll be writing a lot more!

Thanks for reading!

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3 Great Places to Write

I don't know about you, but I always have a favourite spot that I like to write my blog posts. 

At the moment it's the dining room table in my house. It's right under a skylight so on sunny I get all that natural light and warmth. 

I feel like the location of where you write is something that can really make a difference to your writing. If you haven't found your ideal spot yet, this week's post is just for you! Here are 3 places I'd recommend writing in at least once! 

1. Library
I always feel the itch to write here. When you're surrounded by the works of so many incredible writers, it's hard to not want to put your own thoughts to paper. Inspiration is everywhere you look. I'm sure if you were to pick a book at random, you'd find at least one thing - whether that be a quote, a word or an image - that you could run with. The quiet in the library is also really comforting. Everyone is in their own little worlds. It's a great spot for those who are easily distracted by noise. 

2. Local Cafe
Cafes are perfect for those who like to snack while they work. I'm definitely this kind of person. If you don't mind background chatter or the sound of plates clanging, you should be able to write for hours here. There's always a lot happening in cafes but sometimes that sort of busy environment can help you to want to get things done. 

3. Outdoors
Natural light is really important to me when I write, as I mentioned in my intro. If I can't claim the dining room table (because another family member is working there), the balcony or front yard are just as good. If there's a park or field close by your house, you could carry a notebook and pen and sit yourself there to write. The combination of nature and fresh air are sure to start an avalanche of ideas and inspiration. 

Q: Where is your favourite place to write?
Thanks for reading!

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Blogging vs. Uni

Three weeks ago, I started my second year at Uni. 

It was inevitable this year was going to be harder than the first, I just didn’t realise how early on it would hit me. Since Uni started, my course work and assignments are all that I can think about. During the break, I didn’t have a lot to do work-wise. I definitely owe it to this blog for giving my creative side something to do during that time. I actually enjoy studying so having my blog was a great way to practice self-discipline outside of the classroom. Meeting the Friday deadline each week was my way of keeping my inner-student happy.

Last year, I had quite a good system for getting my blog posts and Uni assignments done on time. Because of this, I imagined this year to be a piece of cake.

Sadly, I can’t say it has been all that easy.

Yes, I still managed to get a post up last week and the week before, but I can’t say I was overly pleased with how they turned out. They definitely felt very slap-dash to me. To be honest, even this post feels a bit messy and all over the place. Probably because I’m multitasking between writing this and working on my typography posters in InDesign.

I know I’m not the only blogger out there who has to manage their blog alongside other commitments. It’s like both things are battling for my attention and when I dedicate too much time to one, I feel guilty for not tending to the other. It’s all about finding that happy medium.

I guess this post is another way for me to let you guys know that my content might be a little rough these next few weeks. Just until I get a handle on this whole balancing act thing. I really want to keep putting content out so I don’t think a break is necessary at this time. I think after 6 months away from Uni, I’m still learning to adjust to my new weekly schedule. There's no doubt that the more I work at it, the easier it'll get.

Q: What tips do you have for balancing blogging with other things?

Thanks for reading!

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My Procreate Drawing Process

I recently got Procreate on my iPad and have absolutely loved the program so far. 

Before Procreate, I created all of my digital drawings on Photoshop, using my Wacom Intuos tablet. Drawing on my iPad is such a different experience from drawing on my computer. Since I've already documented my Photoshop process on my blog, I thought doing the same for my iPad would be a good idea as well. 

Let me now if you'd like to see more drawing blog posts! 

Step 1: The Initial Sketch
For this step, I used the 6B pencil to quickly draw out how I wanted my picture to look. The image on the left was one I found off Pinterest. I attached it to the side of my drawing so I could constantly refer to it. 

Step 2: Darkening The Outline
The next thing I did was take the dry ink brush and go over all my important lines. This was in preparation for my next step which was adding colour. Having a sharper outline made me more aware of where I was colouring. 

Step 3: Colour And Tonal Variation

Once I'd finished colouring my drawing with the round brush tool, I decided to go in with the soft brush to give it some tonal variation. For this drawing, I started with the face and then worked my way outwards. 

Step 4: The Hair Texture

For the hair strokes, I used the dry ink brush again. I varied the thickness of the strokes to give the hair more volume. 

Step 5: The Sweater

Finally, I added some cross hatching on the sweater to somewhat resemble the material in the picture. 

And that's it! Here's my completed picture. I think this took around one and a bit hours. This process appears pretty straightforward however there's a lot more erasing and redrawing that goes on behind the scenes. I obviously couldn't include all of that otherwise this post would have been quite a bit longer! 

Q: Have you used Procreate before?

Thanks for reading! 

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How Important is a Blogging Niche?

If someone were to ask me what the first step to creating a blog was, I'd say decide on a niche. 

A friend came to me the other day with a very clear topic for the blog she was wanting to start. She knew what she wanted to write about and had a very obvious passion and excitement for it. There's no doubt that a niche gives a blog purpose and direction. When you're starting a blog from scratch, it's definitely dictates a lot of what you do. Everything from the header to the imagery to the colour palette of your page somewhat correlates to your blog's niche. There's a lot of pressure when choosing, knowing how much influence this one overarching idea has. 

For me, figuring out what I wanted to write about was the hardest step of all. For ages, I couldn't bring myself to consider the 'Lifestyle' niche. I feared it was way too broad. Yet even when I did manage to hone in on a slightly smaller topic, I was still left unsatisfied. I couldn't imagine myself writing about it for years and years to come. 

Which is another thing I want to talk about. 

Can you change your niche part way into your blogging journey? If you've spent so many years establishing yourself as a certain type of blogger and you suddenly decide you want to do something different, is that erasing all the hard work and effort you've spent getting your blog to where it is? That's a conundrum I'm sure many bloggers have found themselves in. Writing about something they love, gaining a good readership then suddenly falling out of love with it and only writing for their readers. In fact, I've seen this happen in YouTubers too. They post videos that they know their loyal viewers will love. Even if this means sacrificing their own happiness in the process. 

So how important is a blogging niche? I still think having a niche is a fundamental part of creating a blog however I don't think there's anything wrong with drifting outside of that niche or after a while, deciding you don't actually want a niche at all. This turned out to be quite the essay, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. 

Q: How did you decide on your blogging niche?
Thanks for reading! 

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Room Tour 2019

I absolutely loved my Room Tour 2018 post and it seemed a lot of you guys liked it too! 

I was planning on doing a 2019 version the moment the new year rolled around but I thought I'd wait until around the same time I published my first one so that that there was more of a one year gap between them. 

I've been comparing the photos and I can't say the changes are drastic but it's still interesting to see what's moved and what hasn't. Another thing you'll notice - if you saw my first Room Tour - is that I'm actually showing my closet space in this post. It was a complete mess last year but this year I decided to pull my act together and make it look super clean and presentable for these photos. I colour coordinated my clothes and I must admit, it makes me a lot happier to open my closet doors every morning. 

 

My photo wall is a new feature of my room. These are actually the photos I got from Printiki a couple months back. I have some of my favourite childhood photos up there as well as photos with family and friends. 

 

In my last post, I briefly mentioned my obsession with pigs. I don't have a lot of pig themed room decor items but I do have a couple that you might spot in these photos!

 

I've been doing quite a bit of reading this year. I completed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine (which I got myself for Christmas) and I recently finished the Crazy Rich Asians series which I devoured in just over a week. 

 

Q: How often do you reorganise your room?
Thanks for reading!

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3 Ways to Have The Best Year Ever

Did you know that this year is the Year of the Pig? 

The Chinese calendar starts and ends around February so even though January 1st has been and gone, this post is still relevant! 

I have a really good feeling about this year. Even though I was born in the Year of the Rabbit, the Year of the Pig still holds a very special place in my heart. Ever since I was a child, I've had an immense love for the adorable pink animal. For that very reason, I'm counting on 2019 to be a great one. This year is my year and it can be your year too! Here are three ways to have the best year ever!

Pick up a New Hobby
Expand your skillset by picking up a new hobby. Give anything and everything a try. You don't know what will happen, you may just have an amazing hidden talent that you're yet to discover. Be adventurous and don't just think about where you know your strengths lie. It's a great chance for you to challenge yourself and your abilities, and I can guarantee you'll have a lot of fun in the process! 

Explore Somewhere New
Go overseas, see the world! Or just as good, find somewhere in your city or town that you've never been to before. It's important to change up your surroundings when you can. Sometimes we get too caught up in our weekly routines that the places we know so well start to feel boring to us. The best way to make new memories is to step outside of these places for a little while and experience what else is out there. It can be as extravagant as a trip to Spain or as simple as a day hike with friends. If you're allowing yourself to break away from familiarity every once in a while, then you're definitely on the road to creating a really great year for yourself. 

Meet New People
Last but not least, meet people! Put yourself out there and don't be afraid to start a conversation with someone you don't know. They may just turn into a best friend for life. The people you surround yourself can have a massive impact on your year so be sure to stay in the company of people that make you happy and bring out the best in you. 

Q: What's your Chinese zodiac animal?
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