2016-12-31

New Year, Good bye 2016


Once again it is New Year’s Eve!
I hope you all have a very Happy New Year and I wish you all the best!

Last year I summarised the year that had passed in a blog post, and I thought I’d do the same thing this year. But before that let me just mention my outfit of tonight!

I am wearing this skirt that is ridiculously beautiful and I feel fantastic in, from Tatyana. I saw this skirt on Instagram and knew I had to have it. It reminded me of something... I couldn't quite place my finger on what, but I was serious about owning it.

I was lucky enough to get it on sale, and I was even luckier to have it arrive in time for NYE. As I was getting ready I put on this V-neck top and bam! It hit me! It reminds me of the beautiful outfit that Grace Kelly wore in Rear Window (which happens to be one of my favourite Hitchcock's). Google it! It's uncanny!



I decided to keep the rest of the look completely 50's, so I wore my perfect Besame Red lipstick from Besame Cosmetics and finished it off with a loose powder (Vanilla Brightening Powder, also Besame). You'd think I was sponsored by Besame Cosmetics but unfortunately I'm not. Their products just feel very authentically vintage.

To top it all off I actually googled retro hairstyles for natural hair and got a brilliant hit. I found this blog post on the blog Bobby Pin, and I adore the hairstyle. It is really hard finding vintage and retro hairstyles for naturally curly hair. Most hair tutorials start with much looser curls than I have. So if you have any ideas for retro hairstyles for natural hair please leave me a comment!

On to the 2016 round-up...



While 2015 was one of the hardest years of my life, 2016 has been one of the best years! I have not recovered from my illnesses, and probably never will as they are all chronic, but I have gotten to a point where I manage my mental illness in a way that enables me to live my life.

I’ll be honest - I’ve had crap times in 2016 (as those of you who have followed me might remember). Days where it’s been impossible to get out of bed. Weeks where my anxiety has been so high and my OCD has made it so hard to get out of my apartment. I’ve even had months during this last year where I’ve felt so very low and uninspired in life. But it has all been isolated times surrounded by, in large, better times.



Top: Topshop (old)
Skirt: Tatyana (here)
Pearls: Borrowed from Mum


I started this year feeling better than I had for a decade. Last year ended with me being on a high. I was on good medication and I was continually working with a psychologist fighting against my OCD, anxiety and depression. In 2016 I have been entirely free from suicidal thoughts, and that, my friends is a major step in the right direction. I am back to work, full time! Which makes me so happy I could cry. I have bad weeks, and days, but all in all I am back to my previous self. I recognise the person that I am.

I still have OCD. I still have my obsessions and perform my compulsions, but as I mentioned - it is manageable now. I can lead a life at the side of being sick. It’s not all about my illness anymore. All of this, getting back to being happier and healthier has made me realise how important health is. And I’ve decided I want to end this year with a message of hope.

If you are doing unwell, whether physically or mentally, believe me it can get better! It’s not impossible! Get as much help as you can, and be as open as you can be - a healthier life is possible. I went into 2016 feeling hope and joy, and it has treated me well. I will continue to fight in 2017 for a happier, healthier life. And I wish all of you find your joy and happiness the same way I have.

Thank you so much to everyone that I’ve interacted with! You are all incredible! It still means everything to me that you are here and are willing to listen to my story. I also want to say that I am here and willing to listen to your story too! If anyone suffering from any mental illness feels the need to talk, I’m here! Talk to me! Because talking about it really eases something.



Here’s to 2017! May it be all you hope for and more!
And for the last time this year - Much love to all of you,

24 comments:

  1. You look stunning, Mona. So elegant and retro. I recently saw Rear Window for the first time(!) and immediately coveted all of Grace Kelly's outfits.

    Wishing you all the health and happiness for 2017!

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    1. Oh thank you so much! Oh wow! What did you think of it? Grace Kelly's outfits in Rear Window are seriously amazing.

      Thank you. I wish you all the best for 2017!
      Much love,
      Mona

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  2. I am glad that things improved for you in 2016 and hope that 2017 will also be a good year for you.

    I really like your skirt - and in fact your whole outfit! I look forward to seeing more of your outfits in the coming months

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    1. Thank you so much! I have a good feeling about 2017, so I hope so too. And the same to you!! I wish you all the best for this new year.

      Thank you so much! That makes me very happy to hear.
      Much love,
      Mona

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  3. I'm so happy that your health improved last year Mona, you have worked so hard for it too. I hope this year will be even better.
    This outfit it beautiful. The skirt is so dreamy!
    Happy New Year lovely!

    Emma Xx
    www.emmaslookingglass.com

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    1. Thank you so much darling Emma! <3 I wish your health will improve this year too. You deserve all the best, and it breaks my heart to know that you're not doing as well as you could. How is the new treatment going?

      The skirt is dreamy, isn't it? I just fell in love. Thank you.
      A very happy and healthy new year to you too!
      I hope you get everything you wish for!

      Much love,
      Mona

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  4. Such a classy outfit! Happy 2017 <3

    Blessings,
    Edye | Gracefulcoffee.com

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    1. Thank you so much! Happy New Year to you too darling.
      Much love,
      Mona

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  5. Happy New Year! This is such a gorgeous outfit, it really does look like Grace Kelly's dress from Rear Window (one of my all-time favourite movies) ♥
    Amy xx

    Little Moon Dragon

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    1. Happy New Year to you too darling!
      Aww, thank you so much! It's an awesome movie!!

      Much love,
      Mona

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  6. Happy New Year Mona! I am so glad to hear you feel much better. You definitely deserve it and I hope 2017 will be a gorgeous year for us all!
    Much love, Christine.

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    1. Happy New Year Christine! Thank you so much. I hope so too. I wish you get everything you hope for.
      Much love,
      Mona

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  7. Happy New Year beauty!! This outfit is so gorgeous, perfect for celebrating!! I love it so. Stunning. I hope the New Year is filled with lots of happiness for you :) xx

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    1. Happy New Year Kizzy darling!! Thank you, I thought it was quite good for new year's. Thank you so much!
      I hope the same for you, I hope you get everything you wish for!
      Much love,
      Mona

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  8. Happy New Year, darling! This outfit is just downright beautiful on you! I's so totally Grace Kelly - I cannot stand it's beauty!! All the best in 2017!

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    1. Happy New Year, beautiful!
      Aww, thank you so much! Haha XD thanks!
      I hope you get everything you wish for in 2017!
      Much love,
      Mona

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  9. Happy New Year!! I am so glad that 2016 was such a great year for you and that your health has improved so much. I hope 2017 is even better for you :] You look absolutely stunning in your NYE outfit - that skirt is so much like Grace Kelly's - you're right! Very cool!!

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    1. Happy New Year to you too beautiful! Thank you so much, I'm very happy about that too. Oh thanks. I hope your 2017 will be amazing, and that you'll get everything you wish for.
      Hehe, I am so in love with this skirt I hardly know what to do with myself. I keep trying to find a reason to wear it! Thank you.
      Much love,
      Mona

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  10. Happy New Year, dear Mona! You are absolutely stunning in this skirt!! Wow! Seriously, drop dead gorgeous! So glad you were able to find a hairstyle you liked to match. :) I am also so glad to hear 2016 was overall a good year for you. I hope 2017 is even better!

    ~Lindsey

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    1. Happy New Year darling! Thank you so very much, I'm blushing.
      Thank you, I hope 2017 is awesome for you too. Hope you get everything you wish for!
      Much love,
      Mona

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  11. It makes me so happy to know that 2016 was such a wonderful year for you! It's WONDERFUL to hear all of the improvements on your health and all of the work you've been able to do towards being a self that you feel happy with! That is so important!

    You look BEAUTIFUL. That skirt is amazingly similar to Grace Kelly's and I'm in love with this whole outfit! It's so classic and graceful (like you!)

    Happy New Year, Mona! May 2017 be even better than 2016 was!
    Kristina
    eyreeffect.com

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    1. Oh thank you lovely Kristina! It is super important, and I'm very happy about it.

      Thank you! *blushes* Oh gosh oh gosh, thanks so much.
      I hope 2017 will be an amazing year for you too!
      Much love,
      Mona

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  12. thank you for sharing Mona <3 wishing you a wonderful, happy and healthy 2017 x

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    1. Thank you Beth <3
      Hope you have an amazing 2017 too!
      Much love,
      Mona

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