Oh my goodness, what a week. It may have just been more unpredictable than the last one- and that was pretty crazy, let me tell you. To begin with, the lack of summery weather in Sydney really did get me down. Blame the cold, the rain and the odd thunderstorm here and there. You’d best believe I went nowhere this week, apart from an outing over the weekend. I don’t know where I’ll be tomorrow but hopefully I’ll feel much better and can get back to lessons. In the meantime though, I’m soaking up the peace and quiet, finding pockets of joy in my days. So far, quite a few of my dilemmas sorted themselves out, coming to a natural resolution and saving me the heartache and hassle of fighting for answers.
I’m now back on a roll with brand work and am enjoying a boost in confidence. I’ve settled a few new jobs and am pretty sure I qualify as an official skincare and wellness influencer. If you read last week’s update, you might remember a brand called real-u who’d I contacted and heard no response from. As it turns out, outlook, my email provider, wasn’t sending my emails correctly and they couldn’t be received by other parties. To think that all this time I was missing critical information and feeling down about my lack of job turnout for nothing. Once the email reached real-u, the process was simple once more. Their social media team was lovely and decided to send me their signature green three step kit. I’m excited to try the products and share my results with you all as real-u are leaders in the skincare and beauty game with their science backed range! My next goal is to expand my reach and interact with brands outside of who I’d usually work with. Being a busy influencer, I have a set initial message I sent to brands I’m interested in. I’ll introduce myself, my photography, the blog and demonstrate why I’d like to be partners. While the majority of this message is general, I’ll reword where necessary, add in appropriate details and reserve a short paragraph for my tailored sell. This system works like a charm. I’d love to be in a place where I can approach higher end clothing sustainable clothing boutiques. This feels unrealistic for someone in my position however. I may be able to afford the clothes on my own but I can see why a brand would have reservations about me as a promoter. After all, it’s about image and target audience. They aren’t exactly marketing to teens and young adults!
Anyhow, I digress. Moving on- I finally received a much awaited depop parcel and am working on styling the top I bought. I’d purchased this item two weeks ago and found the seller to be difficult to work with in further communications. I opened up a paypal case against the seller after two weeks of waiting. The very next day, I received the parcel. As it turns out, the seller had shipped the top a week after my purchase and found it unimportant to notify me of this. A prime example of how a lack of communication can cause disagreements. On a nicer note, the top fits perfectly and will look absolutely darling with a pair of jeans and sandals. It’s the hazel and folk kimberley cami in white. They are one of my favourite ethical brands so I was quite pleased to pick up such a steal! The top was being sold for less than half its original retail price and was in tip top condition. On top of this, I finally made another sale and broke out of that dreaded dry spell. It was a local pick up so I didn’t need to go to the post office- quick and easy. My depop shop is where I sell a mix of higher end and casual clothing for bargain prices. Feel free to check that out if you’re interested or looking to update your wardrobe.
This weekend has been a decent one. Today was quite relaxed- I spent many hours watching you, me, her on netflix with my mum and grandma. I also completed some initial planning on my college portfolio. I’m hoping to get things together fully in three weeks time. I need to have submitted my resume to Billy Blue College before applications for the interior design course at tafe open. I need to have options on the off chance I’m not accepted into the private college. It’s more of a precaution rather than anything else though. The course manager I spoke to over the phone called the resume a formality which definitely set my mind at ease. For the resume I’ll need to submit six pieces of original work, whether digital or hard copy. I’ll include links to my blog, instagram page and show the development of my style over time through room tour posts. I plan to create a moodboard with room inspiration, fabric swatches, paint samples and the like. My uncle owns a vehicle trimming store and may be able to spare samples! Here’s to hoping.
Yesterday was quite busy. I had brunch at the cutest spot in Auburn- a turkish cafe called Cook and Co. It had so many plants and the best set up! My brother and I ordered pancakes and my mum and dad opted for savoury breakfast spreads. Think smoked meats, many varieties of cheeses, roasted vegetables, turkish bread, dip, avocado toast and more. As pictured above, I felt like indulging and had a passionfruit and mint mocktail. Never too early in the day for that! Afterwards, my family and I headed to Moore Park Entertainment Quarter in the city. We saw the Van Gogh Alive exhibition and many trick or treaters as there was a halloween event on. Overall, It was incredible and so eye opening. It really promoted deeper thought for me! Later on, we felt peckish again and stopped for a quick margherita pizza and banoffee pie at Fratelli Fresh. A nice, decent meal but the place was terribly noisy! We left soon after and headed further into the city before stopping at the beach. The conditions outside were unfavourable to say the least- I didn’t brave the outside and just relaxed inside the car while my dad and brother got some fresh air.. and likely a cold too. Anyway, that’s quite enough details! A proper travel diary will be up soon xx
Wonderful post!!
Would also like to say how much I LOVE that jacket in the photo!!
Oh, thank you so much! 😊 you are too kind Bea. What are your plans this weekend?
Great jacket, hey? I bought it off a store called Branche. One of my favourite sustainable purchases by far! They actually have new stock in if you’re interested x
Well, this weekend, we did Halloween stuff, and went trick or treating at our own house. Next weekend, I dunno to be honest. 😅
Oooo nice!! I might check it out.
Im glad your problems have found their natural resolution, Maryam – it’s always better that way than having to stress yourself out about it! Xx
Oh, certainly! I just want to feel relaxed and on top of things. That’s how I can really move forward 😅
What are your plans for this week? Thanks for reading Mia! x
You’ve got a really busy week! Keep going like this!! I really look forward to your next steps!!
Thank you Mauro! Good things are coming 😅 What are your plans for this week? x
I have a couple of ideas I want to try on my blog and continue to develop what I have already started!
I see. You’re doing so well already. You have what seems like a never ending list of good post ideas! Your content is very thoughtful and inspiring. Good luck with your pursuits! 😊
Thanks…however i don’t really think that my post are so inspiring! They are good, but there’s plenty of room of improvement!
It must’ve been so annoying to find out that your email account wasn’t sending those emails. Good luck with the college application! Wow, yesterday and the weekend sounded like a really fun day. Those pancakes must have tasted really nice and I love when I have enough time to just chill and watch things with my mother and sister.
Oh yes, haha! It was quite frustrating at first but cleared up a lot of things for me. If I hadn’t asked one of the brands whether they received my email, I never would’ve worked out that nobody, literally nobody, was receiving the emails I sent!
I’m quite confident that the college application will go well. It turns out that my advisor submitted the application for me but I can add attachments and have a chance at a scholarship. So exciting!
The food was lovely indeed! Absolutely delicious. Your chill time with your family sounds so nice and relaxing. What do you three like to do when you aren’t watching something? 🙂
We like going on long walks out in nature where we can connect and have deep conversations with each other. Since we’re quite competitive, we also like playing boardgames like Bananagrams and Scrabble XD
Awesome post Maryam 😊
Yay for mocktails! I recently had a virgin sangria at a Mexican restaurant and that was so good! Super refreshing and fruity.
So pleased you managed to get through to those brands and all the work you’ve got coming your way – that’s so exciting, congrats 🎉 look forward to hearing more about the products and any recommendations!
Sounds like a great weekend with even greater food! I love Turkish food, we often frequent Turkish cafes or takeout places 😍 do you and your family have a day out altogether weekly? Hope the weather improves and summer arrives soon for you! Take care for the week ahead xx
So good hey? Mocktails are on the pricier side but definitely aren’t as expensive as alcoholic drinks. Plus, they taste so much better! Just as you said- refreshing, fruity and best served with lots of crushed iced! I like mine on the more sour side. Last weekend’s was a bit sweet but nice none the less! Virgin sangria is like punch, hey?
Thanks for all the love, support and kind words! I’m on a bit of a success high, haha. It’s a good feeling but there are definitely stretches of time where nothing happens for whatever reason! I hope to share lots more info and recommendations in upcoming posts 🙂
Great food alright! Isn’t that the best part of each and every day? I eat a lot of Turkish food also! Have you tried Gozleme? I love mine with beef and cheese. That’s my Wednesday night takeaway order pretty much every week 🤣 bit of an obsession at this point but who can blame me! It’s just too good. What’s your favourite Turkish food?
My parents are separated so most weekends my dad and brother are together and my mum and I have time together. My brother comes back home late Sunday. Occasionally though, mostly for my brother’s sake, we have a whole family day. He’s only ten so it’s more difficult for him to wrap his head around the dynamics. I’m totally fine with it though. We work well and are happier with things being this way as opposed to how they were before. There was decent weather today so I’m very happy about that!
You take care also. What do you have planned for this week? 😚
Haven’t tried a lot of cocktails tbh so safer to stick with the mocktails haha, ooh yum I would love the more sour ones! Must try some different types when I’m next out. The sangria was a like punch yeah! It had coconut in it too which I appreciated. What’s been a favourite flavour combo for you?
Yes food is easily the best part of each day haha. The Gozleme… I may have tried it, the name sounds super familiar! Beef is so good, that sounds delicious! I really love their platters of food like meats, salads, breads & dips otherwise the big flatbreads with the chips inside? Just had to google the name haha looks like Gyros? So so good. I love how they have a really rich, homey cuisine.
My parents are separated too. Great that you guys can have those family days with your brother, that’s important 🙂 glad you’re ok with the arrangement too x
Thanks heaps! This week I’m back to work tomorrow after my annual leave – been so good but slowly have to ease back into everything haha. So thankful for my employment during this time though. Other than that will continue to work on my blog, read some more, and I need to find a Christmas tree to get!
What are your plans?
Haha, yes, I must agree! Back in Bali I was obsessed with the strawberry mocktails they had at a local cafe. I enjoy tropical flavours mostly! Passionfruit is my go to. My mum is a fan of lychee!
I’m so excited because I get gozleme tonight! My absolute favourite. Never gets old! Chances are you’ve tried it. I have a Greek takeaway close to me and I’ve tried a Gyros wrap before! Definitely an interesting combo with the meat and chips. We had ours with a side of greek salad and more chips, haha. It was nice and fresh tasting! Not a cuisine I have much of so I loved trying something different. Haloumi cheese is delicious with Gyros, by the way! They do indeed have a very homey, very family focused cuisine. Seems like a culture where the people are very friendly and close knit! So lovely.
Ah, I see. It’s always surprising to me just how many people have experienced divorce in their family. I know for a lot of people it’s too much to take in and they can’t understand it but my experience was different. With everything in life, you can’t force what isn’t there. What flows flows and what crashes crashes. I wouldn’t want my growth or that of my family to be stifled because we’re stuck in a situation we’ve grown out of!
What do you do for work? I’m not sure if you’ve mentioned it before, haha. Employment during this time is certainly a gift. So many people have been left out in the cold and given such sudden bad news of being out of work. I hope to get a casual job sometime next year when I move to the mountains to be with my grandma. It’s a much smaller community there and hopefully covid will have settled down!
Yum passionfruit is so good! Love passionfruit icecream also haha. Going to branch out and try more mocktails ASAP!
Yay! How was your gozleme?! Would love some hot chips right now, the weathers turned so raining heaps with possible thunder later this afternoon 😍 I’ve only just got into haloumi! It’s amazing! Why I didn’t try it sooner I don’t know…
Totally agree with you in that you can’t force things that aren’t there. In hindsight I’m glad things worked out the way they have – I think if I was older when it happened it’d be a little harder to take in but then things have come up for me in recent years that haven’t sat quite right either. Glad you’ve come out of it positively 😊
I’m a public servant, not gonna say exactly what for confidential reasons but I’m so glad I’m here. I really feel for those that have had it hard in employment this year – it changes so much in ones world.
Ooh moving to the mountains sounds super majestic! How cool! All the best for finding causal job 😊 and yay for grandmas – as we’ve discussed they are the best! Enjoy your day xx
So glad you figured out the problem with the email, that’s always so frustrating but at least it’s working now, right? Also, I love that picture, the jacket is so cute! And the restaurant does look so pretty! Hope you’re doing well ❤
Hey Maryam,
I love the photo and the quotes you included! So beautiful. I really enjoyed reading about your week, seems like such a productive week and you’re doing a great job! I wish you all the best on your college applications and portfolio. Looking forward to more of your updates and posts ❤️❤️
Have a great week!
Thank you so much Jocey! Lots of good things to come as well as plenty more updates. Your kind words mean a lot! I’m excited for the future.
How are you doing this week?
Happy to read about you being an absolute boss babe. You go girl!!
How kind! Thank you for reading Toma. Hope you are well!
So good that you found out what was going on with your emails, that happened me too before and it was so frustrating!
Eileen | yesmissy.com
Ah yes! It’s quite worrying and an issue best resolved on the sooner side! I’m just glad I worked it out.
Thank you for reading Eileen! x