As 2021 draws to a close, I have been reflecting on things that I have learnt this year. There are three lessons that I've learnt which stick out to me... 

1. You can actually enjoy your job

I've had some real experiences with the world of work - from being micromanaged within an inch of my life (including telling me what to do with my free time (i.e. telling me to cancel going to the theatre to stay late at work or telling me I wasn't allowed to socialise with the Sales team) and then not being paid for overtime even when forced to work until 6/7/8pm at night), to being talked to like I was a piece of dog shit attached to my "manager's" shoe in front of the entire office & gaslit, to other unmentionables during the pandemic, it's been a ride. It left me feeling entirely shit about myself.

Last July however, I found a job in which I'm helping others with an actual purpose and loving every single day of my job. I was originally hired on a fixed term contract and I'm now officially permanent! Although technically this change happened last year, I've been actually living it this year & I can't wait to continue my professional journey.

2. It's best to cut people out sometimes

This year I've dealt with some interesting friendship situations and although it's best not to go into full details with this one, there is absolutely zero point in staying friends with someone through obligation. If the friendship isn't two sided and you can't vent about your issues too on a level playing field (no matter how inconsequential those issues may be) or the other person can't handle conflict in a mature fashion by talking about things like adults if issues arise, then what is the point?

I've found that people are always going to talk shit about people but if people talk shit to you about other people behind their backs and then act like they're bezzie mates - it's a huge red flag (read: fake). I stayed true to myself and those people who I couldn't see eye to eye with and also those talking shit,  have been completely removed.

After I removed those people from my life, I genuinely feel free and really value my friendships. I'm going to continue with this entire philosophy and apply it going forward.

3.  Budgeting is the way forward

Since uni, I've kind of just spent money on what I want, paid bills and saved sporadically (an embarrassing 7 years). For 2022, I've decided to set some goals, which include buying a house next year (potentially 2023...) so I started a budget in the latter months of this year - it's totally transformed my views to achieve my goals! I will continue my budgeting for 2022.

What have you learnt this year?

I'd love to know!

XOXO Molly

A quick post from me, I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas period and New Year! Make sure you spend time with your family and loved ones and try to have lots of mince pies, roast potatoes, all the prosecco and more importantly lots of PIGS IN BLANKETS. Let's hope 2022 is better than the last two years...

It's Wednesday and I don't know about you but I feel like this week has lasted approximately 9 million years... it's nearly Halloween so I decided to jazz up a midweek drink and make it spooky. This recipe makes 2 long (strong) shots.

Ingredients

120ml Vodka

60ml Lime Juice

120ml Chambord

Frozen Berries

Dash of Black Food Colouring

To Garnish

Slice of Lime

Grey Sugar (or black food colouring and caster sugar)

Method

1. Fill shaker with ice, vodka, lime juice and chambord.

2. Shake until shaker is very cold.

3. Rub the lime wedge around the rim of your shot glass.

4. Dip the rim into the grey sugar (or black food colouring and caster sugar).

5. Pour the cocktail into the shot glasses, and enjoy!

Have you had a long week too? I'd love to know!

XOXO Molly

Picture this, it's a Friday evening and work is done for the week. It's also the week before Halloween AND a no bones day.... why not whip up a Vampire's Kiss cocktail? Super easy to make, you only really need three ingredients to make the drink itself and it's such an effective aesthetically pleasing drink! This recipe makes 1 cocktail.

Ingredients

30ml Vodka

30ml Chambord

Frozen Raspberries

Prosecco

To Garnish

Lime Wedge (to get the sugar to stick)

Red Sugar (or red food colouring and caster sugar)

Method

1. Fill shaker with ice, vodka, chambord and frozen raspberries.

2. Shake until shaker is very cold.

3. Rub the lime wedge around the rim of your martini glass.

4. Dip the rim into the red sugar (or red food colouring and caster sugar).

5. Strain the cocktail into the glass.

6. Top up with the prosecco, and enjoy!

Let me know if you make a Vampire's Kiss & let me know what you think!

XOXO Molly