After a couple of shaky weeks over Christmas where my heart wasn't truly into eating healthy, I struggled and gave into my chocolate obsession. But I am very happy to tell you that I am once again back vegan and eating clean and this is how I intend to stay.

For me veganism was the only way that worked for me, having that restriction is what I needed to keep myself away from naughty foods. No eggs, meat, milk or cheese had truly done wonders for me. During my slip up I could already tell the difference with and without those existing in my diet. Both times round I have instantly lost a couple of lbs without any added exercise or thought. My fitbit goals have been enough to keep me active and track what I am eating. Logging my meals has been a great success for me, owning an instagram all things foodie (@veganmillie) you are relied upon to deliver and appear healthy to not disappoint those who follow you for that reason.

I have been on a couple of gym sessions with my dad during a free pass I had for Pure Gym (discount code 'WELCOME' for a free 3 day pass, valid until 31/01/2017). We focused on abs, my main problem area, the effects I am still feeling today, burn baby burn.

I am feeling so much better already. What do you do to keep healthy?

Manchester is such a great city with a great art scene. We have the Manchester Art Gallery, the Whitworth and lots of street art and fashions.

Being only a walking distance away from my college, the Whitworth has been a huge source of inspiration for me. Between the 19th November 2016 - 16th April 2017 Andy Warhol is featuring in their artist room. This is a great step for Manchester to have hold of such famous work.

Warhol, Pennsylvanian born, was considered the pioneer of the ‘Pop Art’ movement in the 50s. Creating works distinctive to his style, his Marilyns and Campbell tins are still recognisable today. Contrasting colours and repetitive prints were large themes of his work, the confidence which contrasted his personality which was shy and awkward. 

In the Whitworth is some of his less famous works, which I think is a positive as it allows them to be appreciated more but it's also these pieces which in my opinion are more meaningful and thought provoking. Death is such an underlying theme in the whole exhibition. My favourite, 'Electric Chairs' (pictured) are a set of repetitive screen prints, feature an electric chair in an empty room. The bright and contrasting colours severely contrast against the empty metaphor of death. He created these during the controversy of the death penalty and the final executions to take place in New York. The garish palette in comparison with his black and white works compliment each other to encourage every piece to stand out. 

I am excited to do a project about him in preparation for my uni application and I am so lucky to have him so close to home. All his work is extraordinary so make sure you get down there in time and check it out! They're more beautiful in person.

So Ive been searching the internet for good questions for me to answer about myself to allow you to get to know me, however after lots of scrolling and no luck my lovely friend Emily has written me some (thank you!). And here they are:

1) What inspires you?

Everything, but mainly other people, if I see someone succeeding it encourages me to be like them and chase what I want. Pinterest got me hooked, lots of my inspiration comes from there, it's such a great website to be influenced by other artists.

2) Dream job?

Honestly, anything in the fashion industry. I would love to have my own little shop selling my creations as I love to design. I would love to make blogging my career, I love to write and it would mean that I could continue my photography while talking about my favourite passion. 

What do you do in your spare time?

Other than keeping this blog, I do mini exercises daily (and I mean mini, as little as I can get away with). I also keep an art journal which I try to update once a week minimum.

What do you currently do?

I am an art foundation student at my college, in the process of applying to university.

Favourite drink?

I am a coffee addict with the occasional smoothie or milkshake thrown in.

Favourite season?

Of course it's got to be summer, who doesn't love getting away and soaking up the sun. I love that you can wear what you want without having to wear layers and layers of clothing.

Favourite quote?

'Though she be but little, she is fierce' - Shakespeare.

Favourite film/TV series?

Anyone who knows me will know how many times I have watched Gavin & Stacey, it's even gotten to the point where I can quote it word for word. I know, how sad. But it's on Netflix and it's too easy to binge.

Favourite project you've worked on recently?

One of my own called '27 faces', based on overpopulation I stitched portraits to make a complete piece of fabric.

What is your star sign?

Sagittarius, I was born the week before Christmas.

17th December.

Any weird habits?

I don't think this is weird, but according to my friends it is. When I eat a fried egg with a runny yolk I will eat all the white first, cutting around the yolk which I then scoop up onto my fork and eat in one go so the yolk pops in my mouth. I discovered that my grandad also does this too.

Also I tend to smell everything, I don't even realise it.

Favourite clothes shop currently?

Now this changes regularly, currently I'm big into Depop (not technically a shop). But high street I feel you can never go wrong with Topshop and New Look.

Top 3 places you want to visit?

Hawaii, thanks to Alyse Brautigam.

America, anywhere I don't mind, I could travel the whole continent.

Australia, though I don't think I could hack the flight time so I'd have to drag it out.

What makeup products could you not live without?

Mascara,  it instantly makes you look more awake, it makes such a difference.

Favourite takeaway?

OMG there's an indian/kebab house near me that does an amazing 'special' which is their curry sauce but it has lamb, chicken and seehk kebab. I miss it so much :(

Of course it's that time of year again, it's the middle of winter, t's dark outside, the heatings on full blast and we're all catching colds. That can only mean that it's January. 2017 hey, last time I checked it was June and I was stressing about my exams and where to do my art foundation course and now I am applying to university to get a degree in fashion. A lot is changing for me this year and I am determined to make it the best one yet.

New year, new me is what they always say. And when better than the start of a new year to make some new rules to live by, to start afresh.

There's the obvious ones like stop smoking, lose weight, be happier, which are all good but they are the end result, you should set attainable targets to enable you to meet your final resolution. Rather than saying 'lose weight', you should start with 'eat healthier' or 'exercise 3 times a week' etc. That way you will be much more likely to succeed and not be disheartened (half of resolutions made don't manage past one month). This year I followed this principle to create these for myself during 2017:

'Lose weight'

To do this I am going to:

Eat healthy

Late last year (with a gap over Christmas) I transitioned to veganism and ate a plant based diet. A vegan diet is where you don't eat meat or any of the animals produce (such as milk, cheese, honey etc) and stick to a diet of fruits, vegetables and grains. 

Even after the first week I could already feel the benefits, I felt great, well nourished, awake and I even lost 3 lbs. I was so strict with myself I cut out everything overnight, which I know is not how people tell you to do it, you're supposed to do it gradually. But then Christmas came, we all let ourselves go over the festive period, but I said to myself that if I want something I won't deny myself it (of course this escalated quickly) and then it was harder to get going again when I decided to go back to vegan towards the end of the year. Therefore I am doing it gradually, as advised, with the intention of being completely plant based once more. 

Being vegan made me think about and plan my meals more thoroughly, so I was automatically eating healthier because everything was homemade. No more ready meals. 

To people who ask 'isn't it boring?' 'so you just eat veg' or 'what can you even eat?' I enjoy cooking and Pinterest is a great platform to search for new ideas. Nowadays there is a substitute for everything so we (vegans) can eat very similar to you with slight differences. (If anyone would be interested in any recipe posts let me know)

(Smoothie bowls are a great source of nutrition and fill you up plus this one is only 271 calories. It is banana and strawberry, topped with a banana and berry granola)
Exercise 3 times a week
As a professional couch potato this was an important one for me, get off my ass and move. I asked for a Fitbit for Christmas (omg you need one in your life) and I am addicted. I have set personal goals for myself and it's so competitive to get all green. Me and my friend are in a competition, who can do the most steps in a week and I don't think that I have ever walked so much. I am also taking up yoga and increasing my stamina via running.

(Fitbit Alta £99.99)

'Read more'

A book a month

I have set myself the challenge of a book a month. Reading makes you more intellectual by broadening your vocabulary and mine is too basic, I am hoping it will also help me out with my writing also. However I don't read enough so to combat this I have ≈30 days to complete each one. I will update you every month of what I am reading and what I think of it.

January: The Perks Of Being a Wallflower

(A book I have always wanted to get my teeth into and my boyfriend kindly bought it for me for Christmas, he listens!)

'Keep blogging'

Regular updates

I love blogging, I will write for anyone who will read it (which I hope is someone lol), I am going to keep going at it with regular posts, once a week minimum. As long as I have good enough content to share, it's yours.

What are your new years resolutions?

Lately I have been obsessed with hippies and all that comes with, I love their free spirited natures and attitudes towards life. I aspire to think more like that as I find them highly inspiring.

While strolling through Camden Markets in London I discovered some amazing boho stalls, all so beautiful. Reams of rings all decorated with crystals, if I could have, I would have bought them all. (Though that wouldn't have been great for my purse).

The tapestries (not photoed) will always be my favourite, I just love mandalas and I am definitely going to decorate my room full of them. Elephants are my favourite animal and I just need one of those themed tapestries in my life!