My sister is on the left and I am on the right!
Wearing: Jane Norman shirt dress, vintage denim shorts (not visable) and jewellery that was a gift from my lovely mother.

So, normal blogging will now resume frostings!
Thankyou to my wonderful family and friends for a lovely few days.

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

1. What is Operation Beautiful, for those of us who aren’t familiar with the concept? 
Operation Beautiful is simple:  people post affirming notes in public places, take a picture, and e-mail it to me.  I post it on the site for others to read and enjoy.  The mission of Operation Beautiful is to post anonymous notes in public places for other women to find. The point is that WE ARE ALL BEAUTIFUL. You are enough… just the way you are!
 
2. How did Operation Beautiful start?
I was going through a stressful time in my life – I was working full-time, running my personal blog (Healthy Tipping Point), training for a marathon, and going to night classes at the local community college. I often found myself feeling depressed and miserable. I fought negative self-talk daily, a habit that I thought I had rid myself of when I trained myself not to engage in “Fat Talk” about my body. One day in June 2009 was particularly bad, so I decided to write “You are beautiful” on a piece of notebook paper and stick it on the mirror in the college bathroom. I felt happier and lighter as I wondered who would find my note and what they would feel while they read the positive affirmation. I posted a photograph of the note on my blog, and my readers began to write their own notes and e-mail them to me. Later that week, Operation Beautiful was born, and the site has been fighting negative self-talk in all of its nasty forms ever since
 
3. What is the ultimate goal of Operation Beautiful?
The goal is to raise awareness about Fat Talk and negative self-talk and teach people how to replace those destructive habits with more positive ones.
 
4. How can fierce frosting’s get involved with Operation Beautiful? 
Post a note, take a picture, and e-mail it to Caitlin at seebriderun@gmail.com.  Each note gets put on the site for thousands of others to read and enjoy!
 
5. What’s the best thing about running Operation Beautiful? 
The best thing is waking up each day and seeing wonderful notes and stories in my email inbox!  It makes me so happy to see so much positivity in the world.
 
6. How has Operation Beautiful influenced your life?
Running the site has made me a more sympathetic and understanding person.  People go through so much in life and it’s so important to take the time to understand why they are the way they are.
 
7. What is next for Operation Beautiful? 
The Operation Beautiful book will be released on August 3.  The book includes 125 of the most amazing, inspiring, and motivational notes I’ve received. The book also includes tips from real women and professionals on how to live a healthier, more balanced life. I really believe this book is a great gift for a friend, sister, mother, or even yourself!  It’s available for pre-sale on Amazon, Barnes and Noble,Borders, and Indie Bound.
 
8. How responsible do you think mainstream media are for society’s perception of beauty? 
I think the media has a huge impact on us, especially in creation of the false “Thin Ideal.”  99% of images in magazines are photoshopped.  How can little girls or teenagers begin to understand that this is not real or attainable?  It breaks my heart. 
 
9. What message would you to fierce frosting’s reading this?  
Change the way you see, not the way you look!
 
10. What’s the best thing to come out of Operation Beautiful? 
My favorite Operation Beautiful story was sent in by a teenager who was in treatment for anorexia. Her disease was very serious, and the doctors were concerned it might kill her. Her therapist had convinced her to eat solid food for lunch instead of a diet shake – something she had not done for months – and the girl snuck to the bathroom to throw up. As she closed the door of the stall, she noticed a little note that read, “You are good enough the way you are!” with the website address on the bottom. She wrote me to say that the little note literally saved her life – it was a tremendous turning point for her, and she was now out of the hospital and regaining weight. She felt the note was a message meant just from her from God. I’ll never forget reading that email!

What did you think of the interview, frostings? Let me know!

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

+ Retail therapy.
Yes, it may not last and isn’t the best solution, but it certainly put a smile back on my face.

+ Planning next year.
So, next year is ALL about travelling. And I simply cannot wait!

+ Gala Darling & Sarah Von’s e-books.
Fantastic sources of inspiration and guidance. Perfect! Reviews coming soon!

+ Trusting in the universe.
I’m still working on it, but I’m getting there. I’m so excited about everything the universe has planned for me!

Honorable mentions;
Lazy lie ins; delicious meals; creating cards; exciting career plans; making new friends; planning my secret santa for the BSB meet-up; anticipating my birthday.

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

+ Treat yourself to something you’ve been lusting after, because you deserve it.

+ Tell someone how much they mean to you.

+ Plan out your next week. It will give you such peace of mind.

+ Look into the law of attraction and making it work for you.

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

2. Who is your arch-nemesis?
Procrastination and my own self doubt.

3. What are the three things you need to do in order to feel sane?
I need to write. I need to get plenty of sleep. I need to have time to myself.

4. What is the strangest food you have ever eaten?
I’ve never eaten anything really strange. I’m a strict vegetarian so that rules out a lot of weird food.

5. What is one thing in your wardrobe which makes you feel invincible?
Any of my dresses. I feel fabulous about them all.

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

So, how do you go about crafting the perfect daily routine?

Firstly, you must figure out what works for you.
Are you more productive in the mornings or afternoons? Do you have daily commitments to work around? Make a list of what you do day to day and how you can shake up your routine to work for you.
For example, I know I’m more productive and alert and inspired in the mornings, so I use this time to write and get work done. In the afternoons, however, I’m a little less alert and inspired, so I use this time to do more mundane tasks such as responding to e-mails, carrying out chores etc.

Secondly, create some goals.
Knowing what you want to achieve and by when can really clear your mind, and only then can you take steps to implementing these things.
For example, want to be an established author? Think about the steps you can take each day to accomplish this goal. It might mean researching your novel or setting yourself a quota of words to achieve each day.

Thirdly, figure out what you want your routine to be like.
Now you’ve figured out what works for you and created some goals, take some time to think about what you want your routine to be like.
For example, my routine consists of:
+ Awake – 7am + Have breakfast & make myself look presentable + Work; 8am – 12pm (writing, working on my novel, other publication posts) + Lunch + Work; 1pm – 4pm (respond to e-mails & comments, work for my internship, work on my upcoming e-book, household chores) + Evening spent reading and cooking + Bed; 9pm.

So.. how’s your routine looking? What would you like to change? What steps do you need to take to make the necessary changes? Take some time and think about it!

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

Here’s what happened..

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do?
 
Hello I’m Amy, I’m 18, I just finished my A Levels (and am now waiting (not very) patiently to find out which uni I’m in to next year!!), and I basically write whatever I can whenever I can. Sometimes, people read my stuff and publish it, which is nice. I’m a blogger who kind of hates her blog, and a website editor who is pathologically organised, and a student who spends too much on stuff she can’t afford, and… and if I say any more, you’re all going to start feeling like stalkers!

2. What inspired you to start British Style Bloggers?
 
Last summer, I was interviewed by a blogger from Romania, and I noticed a badge on her page for a site called “Romanian Style Bloggers”, and I kind of thought “I wonder if there are more of us here than there”… and then I went on holiday for three weeks and the idea never really left, so when I got back, I built a (frankly dreadful) site and sort of went from there. We’re nearly a year old now, so I’d like to think we’ve come somewhere!

3. You must be super busy with BSB, The Ceiling, your own blog and everything else! How do you keep on top of it all?
 
I have a terrible affliction called Headteacher’s Daughter Syndrome. It kind of deals with organisational issues at an early age… (haha?)

4. Have you always had an interest in writing?

Yes. For as long as I can remember, I have wanted to be a writer. No. That’s a lie. Briefly, when I was five, I wanted to be a Princess – but once I realised the impracticality of this, I kind of got stuck on writing, and never really stopped. It’s quite annoying sometimes – carrying a notebook up mountains when I go hiking on holiday, for example, in case an idea strikes, gets a little tiresome… But mostly, I love it, and can’t imagine doing anything else. Ever.
 
5. What’s been your career highlight thus far?

Interviewing Hadley Freeman, columnist at The Guardian, for Lipstick Royalty Magazine. She’s an amazing writer, and for a very long time I practically worshipped her pages. I remember squealing when I saw her email in my inbox!
 
6. You were fashion editor of Lipstick Royalty magazine. How did you end up in that position?

Completely by accident! I came across an advert for magazine writers on Bebo Authors (would you believe?!) and asked for a position – in anything but fashion. Infamously (I say this, because in every interview I have ever done, people have asked me this question, and Rachel (LR’s editor, and a good friend of mine) must be sick to death of hearing it!), I was made fashion editor two months later. It’s hilarious really – I actually detest the fashion industry near-completely, and I hate wearing dresses more than anything else. I’m also allergic to almost all make-up and hair-product, which doesn’t help my case much, either. I look at my friends and then at myself and think “why the hell did that ever seem like a good idea?!”…
That said, I had the best two years of my life at LR, and I loved what I did more than I’d really like to admit… so… it wasn’t all bad, eh?
 
7. What was the reasoning behind starting The Ceiling?
 
Rachel Phipps (editor of LR, and co-founder and co-editor of The Ceiling) and I both have strong (opposing) political views, and during the election build-up, we argued them loudly and proudly to the extent that most people thought we hated each other (we didn’t, honest!)… but once the election was over, it seemed a shame to waste that passion on our fashion or lifestyle or arts based blogs, so we set The Ceiling up. We’ve been so busy with exams and stuff recently, though, that it’s not really had time to get off the ground… once summer’s over, we’ll start remembering to publish our columns, and things will get going – and I can’t wait!!

8. What advice would you give to aspiring bloggers, fashion or otherwise?

Absolutely! Write about what you are passionate about, and never let bad comments get you down. Both of these are errors I’ve made, and they’re things I seriously regret.
 
9. What have you got planned for the future?

Hopefully (assuming I haven’t failed my A Levels!!), a degree in English Lit and History, specialising in military history (I am the only girl on the planet with a passion for that, it seems!), and then… well, we’ll see, I guess! I’d love to go into journalism, but it’s so competitive, and it’s at least four years off, anyway, so I might as well wait and see!
 
10. Where can readers learn more about you?

www.confessionsofafashioneditor.onsugar.com and @_amyct on twitter

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

+ Shopping Trips With My Mum.
Me and mum went shopping for an outfit for my birthday meal and it was a fabulous day. I bought a gorgeous dress, some denim shorts and some jewellery. Photos coming soon!

+ Getting Into A Routine.
I’m starting to wake up every day at seven, work nine til twelve, have lunch, respond to emails & work on other projects during the afternoon. It’s so refreshing to have structure when you’re self employed!

+ Having Incredible Family & Friends.
I am truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful people.

+ The Weather.
It’s been awash with rain and thunderstorms here recently, but it’s so beautiful I can’t help but love it!

+ Planning Exciting Summer Trips.
Including my three day birthday celebrations, attending the British Style Bloggers meet up in York and roadtrips with the best friends. I am beyond excited!

+ Travelling Plans.
Eek! I’m planning to go inter-railing around Europe in November and possibly moving to Spain next year! More information on that soon, frostings!

+ Phone Calls With My Best Friend.
She’s the best friend in the universe, always calls me at exactly the right time and never fails to make me smile.

+ Manifestation & The Law Of Attraction.
Always. Forever. I love it. It’s amazing. End of.

+ Days Out With My Sister.
The other day we went shopping in town and went to a Chinese restaurant for lunch. It was a lovely day.

+ Exciting Career Plans.
I can’t share them with you just yet, but keep your eyes peeled for lots of things happening over the next couple of months!

What’s on your thankful Thursday list this week?

Lots of love..
Kat xo.

A Digital Camera.

It’s my birthday soon and this is top of my wishlist. I obviously need it for professional reasons – daily outfit photos for example!

A Miu Miu Handbag.

A girl can dream!

Tickets to see the Glee musical.

I am definately a gleek, and me and my sister cannot wait to go and see this show!

Waterstones Gift Card.

Because there’s a million and one books on my to read list at the moment!

A Filofax.

Gala Darling’s post made me swoon over stationary, but I simply cannot justify spending so much on an organiser!

Gift vouchers for H&M and Zara.

Because a girl can never have too many fabulous outfits.

What’s on your lust list frostings? Do tell!

Lots of love..
Kat xo.