Inspiration: The Key Manifesto

I first found out about the Key Manifesto site from the lovely Belle Henley's blog. She interviewed the site's creator, Olly Joshi, in this very interesting post. 

The Key Manifesto is basically a set of life rules that remind us what's really important. I fell instantly in love with it (you might have seen it yesterday on my Instagram).

In Belle's post we learn the story of how the Manifesto was born - Olly created it out of an idea for a tattoo (would have needed his entire back for that one, I suspect!) and put it online - to receive over 2500 hits in the first five days! Shows that there are lots of inspiration-aholics just like myself out there. Now, Olly's site sells lovely prints and I HAVE to get one, I just can't decide which one, there are so many I love! Here are some of my favourites:

a million girls would kill for this job.

About a month ago, I got my dream job.

I didn't tell you anything because I wanted to see if it worked out before I told anyone. And in hindsight, that was a great idea. 

I had one interview, then was offered to do shift work to cover for a junior editor that was away on holiday - if they liked me, this might turn into a permanent position! The company had been a dream of mine for as long as I have been writing and I have been sending them applications nonstop since I came here. And, at the end of last month, my chance finally came.

Things I Love: My New Jill Milan Bag

When I first started blogging, I never for a minute thought that I'd get anything out of it except having fun, practicing my writing and meeting new people. I knew that I would probably never be one of those bloggers that got stuff sent to them in the mail. But guess what. It happened.

A while ago, I wrote this piece on Chic Vegan about the wonderful vegan bag company Jill Milan. I was thrilled to get this assignment from my editor - I loved the bags, they were beautiful and seemed like great quality (they're hand-made in Italy). Plus, it was amazing to see that stars such as Jennifer Lawrence, Eva Longoria and Anne Hathaway had carried them.

Universo Vegano: a New Vegan Fast-Food Haven in Milan

Last week when we went to Milan, I met up with a friend I used to volunteer with at the shelter. We decided to head to this new place that just opened close to the area where I lived when I lived in Milan, Navigli, which is a really gorgeous place: around the two artificial rivers, these beautiful streets are filled with little pubs, restaurants and vintage clothing stores...and now, Universo Vegano.

American Apparel, WHY?

This makes me angry.

I have always been a big American Apparel fan - I love the fact that they are anti-sweatshop and, well I love the clothes! But this blatantly sexist communication has definitely put me off ever shopping with them again.

The Milanese Diaries

There's something about coming home. And yes, I would call Milan my home - one of my three homes. Every time I find myself on the airport shuttle that will take me into the city centre, I feel, in some weird and inexplicable way, that I am home. That there's nothing to fear. That I am surrounded by people I love.

Packing for Milan: The Carry-On Essentials

Bag, H&M; Marie Claire magazine; Enchanted Eye Cream, Lush; vegan vitamins, Holland & Barrett; 

sunglasses, H&M; pen from a huge box of different-coloured pens from the 99p store

Tomorrow I'm going to Milan for five days!

I can't wait to see everyone and spend some time in the sun. I'll spend a long weekend stuffing my face with my in-laws' delicious food (they even make super-yummy vegan dinners just for me) and going to all of my favourite Milan spots with all of my favourite Milan friends. Only obstacle: the road to a fabulous vacation always goes through a very non-fabulous day of packing.