January Mood Board ~ Pretty Power

I love visual things. I love photography, videography, style, pretty views, all kinds of patterns, illustrations, ad campaigns, architecture, jewelry, pretty gift wrapping, fashion editorials, art museums, interior design, the way food is presented on a plate, a really well merchandised shop floor, typography, well done web design, table settings, great magazine and book covers, gardens and party decorations. I've been wanting to learn how to deal with images and all these other things digitally so I've decided to teach myself how to use Photoshop. To get good practice, every month or so I'll post a mood board on the month in question.

Et voilá! My first mood board of 2016; January! January is normally my least favourite of the 12 months. More than likely I'm broke from an indulgent Christmas season, I have to wait a whole year for it to be my birthday again and the weather is normally shite.com. But this year I've come to realize that you have a whole year to play with in front of you, there's goals to be accomplished and I've turned a new age which I always view as a new chapter to fill with adventures and other antics. And now that I'm living in Barcelona the weather in January is nothing but blue skies baybay!

I've entitled the board Pretty Power. I don't know why but sometimes I feel guilty for being a girl who likes all of these visually stimulating things, like it's shallow in some way. But I've come to realize that I can like whatever the hell I want and still be taken seriously in anything that I wish to accomplish. So I'm ruling out that guilt and going for it in 2016. 

Here and here are the links to my Tumblr and weheartit profiles. Two websites that I literally spend hours trawling through and where you can find all the original images I used in the mood board. 

Here's to a great January! 

Ciara

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Saturday Afternoon in January

Let's bring it back. To last Saturday. The 16th of January. It was Deco's first trip of 2016 and there were no nights out to be had. #1 rule of the weekend. The last time he was here we stayed out until 6am which resulted in a monster of a hangover. This is unacceptable practise when you're only in a city for 72 hours. What a great rule this was - we got so much done; a walk around the Arc de Triomf and Ciutadella Park, a tram ride/hike up Tibidabo, early morning brunch on a Sunday and a Barcelona game. I think that football match was one of my favourites to watch, on par with watching El Clásico back in November. Barcelona are just great as a team, you just know they're going to score the most goals. Never thought I'd have faith in a football team - does this mean I'm a real Barcelonian now? 

Above are some pictures I took from our walk up Tibidabo. We attempted to go visit the old amusement park there but after taking the Tram Blau (which is very cute and reminded me of SF) both the ferrocarril (train/railway to the top of the mountain) and the park itself were closed. Annoyed as I was about this, I couldn't be for too long as the views from the mountain were amazing. The weather was on top form too. Before we headed back down the mountain we had a beer and some crisps. Sitting there in the warm sun, being typically me and feeling light headed after one beer, it was the first time in a long time I wished I was on a boat party. The sun does mad things to your head on a Saturday afternoon in January. 

Hope you're all well and your 2016 resolutions are going strong! 

Ciara 

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2016

A very Happy New Year everyone! I hope you've all had a wonderful Christmas and NYE. Mine was jam packed and I wouldn't have it any other way. I'm a big fan of new beginnings and starting afresh so I always welcome a new year with open arms. There are a few things that I'm keen to get around to doing this year. I thought that writing them down here would be a kind of nice Chapter One to 2016. 

Firstly, I'm keen to hone down on what exactly it is that I would like to do for the long term career wise. It's a tricky one, but I think facing it and being positive about it is better than repeating ''I don't know what to do for the rest of my life'' whenever I find myself feeling negative and down about it. 

Secondly, travel! I'm always up for travelling and plan on hopping from country to country for the next few years. This year I'm keen to get to Turin, The Alps, London and either Santorini or a trip back to my dear San Francisco. If there's anything else I can fit in, it would only be a plus! 

 Thirdly, explore Barcelona. I love the city that I'm currently living in but settling in took up most of my time since moving there in September. Once I get back on the 10th of January all the adventures will be had including hitting up all the Gaudí spots, camping, hiking and doing all the local things. 

Lastly, yoga! I've done some here and there between different classes and some videos on YouTube. I'd like for it to be part of my daily routine so I've started the 30 Day Yoga Camp with Yoga with Adriene. With Day One behind me, I'm excited for the next 29 days. Maybe I'll go on a yoga retreat this year too!

 Here's to a sweet 2016,

 Ciara X