Lifestyle – Kim Eva May

☀ ● Nice to Meet Y.O.U. ● ☀

Kimevamay / January 18, 2017 / 7,621 Comments

Bladdy Ell, 2016 went like a thunder bolt and now we’re sizzling into 2017 with new beginnings, resolutions (if you believe in any of that stuff) and all new adventures this years about to throw at us.

I never do the resolution kind of thing, you know the “I won’t eat chocolate” because, I know I bliming well will. Or the “I won’t drink for the whole month of January because I’m a strong ass individual”, because lets be honest, I BLIMING WELL WILL.

Instead, I have my own way of doing resolutions. Let’s call it, more mental, experience style things. If that was even a “thing” to begin with. Yep, I’m one of those hippies that wanders my flat with incense and has Chakras, stones and shit and I’m pretty darn happy about it.

Last year, I made it my mission to say “YES” to more things. Instead of hiding away or putting things in the back-burner, I went for whatever I wanted straight away, did things I knew were out of my comfort zone and started doing before I started thinking. You see, to be honest, I’m a little bit of a natural worrier. I care deeply for things, if not, perhaps too deeply, and I learnt that sometimes you need to let it all go and give it to the hands of someone else. There’s so much we can all physically, emotionally and mentally do and although selflessness is a beautiful trait, it can also inhibit you from doing so much you truly want.

So, I started to go for more things and whilst people I knew complained that their 2016 had been shit, I looked back with only happiness and positivity. Of course, I’m human and I had a couple of down times, losing my Godmother but It also made me live my life to the full for her. So much can be said for the “outlook” you have, that gives so much to the experiences you make. Instead of treading on your tip-toes or sprinting your way to the finish line, try and take everything in, day by day and if you want to do something, DO IT.

There’s a quote that goes something like “your vibe attracts your tribe” and as cheeeeessssy as it may sound, I couldn’t agree more. Whatever you give off, you get given back and it’s actually pretty amazing what a simple smile, a shit joke or the ability to let yourself go can do for other people and likewise, for you.

So, although I conquered my 2016 plan, I have set myself another; To do things slowly. My mind flickers in all directions and I’m either racing to get something done once I have an idea or making a tea so fast I smash the cup. And although, I like the flicker, taking a step back and enjoying the ride is my new endeavour. I’m also gonna be learning a couple of new things ie: The Guitar I have which is such a lost cause and to start up an Exhibition of some of my work both written and Art related. Because there’s a great sense of freeness when you do what you want for you and you alone with no great accolade but personal achievement on the other side.

Enjoy the ride. You only get one.

◎ ◍ ◉ A Little Piece of My Mind. ◉ ◍ ◎

Kimevamay / November 20, 2016 / 3,023 Comments

The other week my Mum and Dad came to visit me up in London. They’d been living it up at the weekend with their mates drinking and partying at a ‘Bowie’ Themed do (which, if you know me, I’m OBSESSED WITH DAVID BOWIE. OKAY, I’LL CHILL WITH THE CAPS). I met them the next day, as they nursed their hangover with more wine and I sat their with my strong coffee. I was definitely starting to think the parenting game had reversed for a second. Anyway, we started to talk about who we were. Yeah, I know, deep for a Sunday booze up.

But it was more than that. It was about who we identified ourselves to be. You see, when we think about what kind of person we really identify ourselves as, we get abit stumped. Take people on Social Media addressing themselves as “funny, go lucky Chocolate Connoisseur” or “Rabbit Whisperer” (yeah, okay, i made those ones up, but you get the point). And you wonder, where did that “self-tag” or phrase come from? Is that first and foremost who you are?

The trick is, the more in-depth you think about it, the more you loose the truth because then you’re searching for some answer. But the answer should be instinctual. The answer isn’t in your job or all the things you like, it’s inherent in you. How you communicate or express yourself through things, that’s, I think, where the real answer is held.

My Dad answered without a second thought, “Artist” he said. My eyes lit up, because that was exactly my answer for myself. Largely because Art can be whatever you want it to be and is one of those mediums we both use to create visions, ideas or to appreciate/experiment within its vastness. I see people walking around with their head down, looking at their feet or straight ahead with an aim to get from A to B, and my little secret is…I always get to things early with plenty of time to kill because I get to walk with my head and my eyes circling around the space, trying not to miss a dam thing of what the world has to offer. Think about the moments that could of been missed because your eyes were fixated at your shoelace or the fact you saw rain as a bad thing, when it made the most beautiful puddle in the shape of a heart you just walked over.

Obviously, that can’t be all we are and shouldn’t be. Because we are all more than one thing, we can be a ton of things which is the common ground that we all stand on.

For example, I’m a massive advocate of positivity and self love. I want people to feel good about themselves and yes, who they are, because if there were clones of ourselves or if the word “unique” became extinct, then where would we actually find the Art? It would just be a pile of generic people who don’t live their lives to the full because they’re afraid to mess up or fail because of their inadequacy. I can’t vouch for anyone else, but I don’t regret the things I’ve done and every time I’ve ever made a mistake, I’ve always found myself stronger for it. I even, get comments daily (as a Makeup Artist) about my pale skin. My skin colour was never anything I ever thought about, and I’ll be honest, I started to hate being fair because I thought beauty was painted as looking like a “bronze goddess” you saw in the adverts I watched as a fourteen year old teenager, but actually….i was happy just as I was. For one, being tanned doesn’t even suit me and secondly, I saw being pale as offering others, like my fourteen year old self, an opportunity to inspire them to be confident in the cards they’ve been dealt with. We are all bloody beautiful in a list of ways I couldn’t even begin to fit on a page and our differences allow the world to be more interesting and that favourite word “unique”.

So that’s a little piece of my mind. A mind that you have and I hope you’re not afraid to share with others and get thinking about our own possibilities and opportunities that lie before us just by filling it.

And on that note, I leave you with a song that’s been playing ON MY MIND.

Peace x

Angel Olsen-Sister.

Source: Youtube.

Rose Bud Moment.

Kimevamay / August 25, 2016 / 8,381 Comments

Little Rose Bud. That was one of my nicknames growing up. I can’t really tell you why, but i’d sign off any letters i wrote under that name like it was my destined alias. Weren’t i cool? Then, after my invisible pen pal days were over, i decided to think about its literal meaning of growth and how many might be discouraged by it’s thorns, rather than the bloom inside.

And hey, not everyone is gonna want a bunch of roses, are they? Some might be a sunflowers kinda gal or daffodil kinda guy or they might hate every living plant, butttttttttt each to their own. We’ve all got our acquired tastes don’t we?

It’s only now reaching that big (for me), not so big (for others) age of twenty five, that I’ve found my own place of calm and really concentrated on what i think, rather than being blurred or undeterred of others thoughts..so i’ll tell you a secret.

At School i was bloody terrible at everything. Real hideous. I failed pretty much everything and spent more time drawing pattern ink on my hands pretending i was a tattoo artist and throwing paper aeroplanes around the room, than i was listening in a classroom or watching a historical video about Egyptians. My teachers thought I’d fail and i thought i’d grow up being this old lady with no real life success but with a strong entourage of cats around me. But what they didn’t know, is that i had my own ideas for the future and watching that Egyptian video was not a part of it. But the cats probably were.

I grabbed every opportunity by the hands, said yes to everything, (especially alcohol) and worked hard for what i wanted. I made decisions based on instinct, went out of my way to do things outside the box and allowed my passion to navigate me to where i needed to be. In essence, i learnt to risk take. That to me, became my true rosebud moment. The moment i realised that it takes time to take everything in, digest and experience things in life before you can set off on your adventure alone till the bud is just a symbol of the past.

Obviously, i have a long way to go and my mind pretty much never switches off into thinking about my next project or idea, but rather than be more like something else, be more like whoever the hell it is that you are. As you can tell, i’m a massive advocate of self courage and i am all in for those that stick their middle finger up to tradition and do something a little different regardless of what everyone else might think. Even if people might think this post is lame, well then, great, you have an opinion. Good for you- vocalise it, chat about it, make use of that dam thing that connects your brain to your vocal chords and let people know your voice exists. But please, please, please, don’t go hiding or allow others to decide what you’re gonna be or who you are. Because we’re all on this little journey together, getting it right, getting it wrong but your willingness to search, learn and find your own rose bud moment will be enough and will take you to exactly where you need to be.

So cheers for that nickname. I kinda like it.

-Photo’s by TS Photography.

A Bite of The Big Apple.

Kimevamay / March 9, 2016 / 2,858 Comments

If, a year ago, someone had told me I was going to live in New York for a couple months I wouldn’t have believed them. For one, I’d never travelled on my own, was afraid of Aeroplanes and well, had never really considered New York to be somewhere I’d enjoy. But, fast-forward the summer and there I was; a suitcase (NOTE A. ONE, YES ONE, which is pretty amazing considering I’m a clothes, shoe, bag, accessory, make-up addict). There I was in my sandals, waiting for my best mate outside her flat in the suburbs of Astoria, Queens. I wasn’t prepared for my venture and me and the sun were banging heads against my Porcelain skin.

BUT, I went. I did it. I conquered my fears and I met the most amazing people that soon became what I now consider as my close friends. I took a giant risk, went with my heart and had the best trip in my whole life. I’m even planning on getting on another plane ON MY OWN again, which may not seem like a big deal for lots of people, but it was a massive accomplishment for me.

So what did I do when I was out there and what did I see? Well, I’ve decided to share some personal moments and pictures with you lot and take you on my little New York Journey.

What a perfect little welcome, ey?

Meat Packing District, Manhattan.

When I was researching places to visit in NY, I kept reading about this joint. At first I thought the literal. MEAT. Tons and tons of meat. To then realise it’s actually a pretty hip place but super expensive.

In the day I did that tourist thing. You know, The High line. It’s basically an old Freight rail line that sits above the streets of Manhattan where you get to walk along some of the popular land minds, including a beautiful view of the Hudson River.

Look, its the infamous kiss!

During the night I popped over to this amazing roof top bar nearby known as Le Bain which sits above a Hotel. It was the most INCREDIBLE place, where there’s a Jacuzzi inside, disco balls EVERYWHERE and tequila shots that resemble half a pint. (I wish I was exaggerating. My mate got so drunk, but it’s okay, I saved her with a 4am pizza stop off).

The Hamptons, Montauk.

I know, I know….The Hamptons. I don’t know why but I thought if i’m going to New York, I wanna see what all the craic with the Hamptons is about. So my mate and I rented a ZipCar at the crack of dawn, and had a little road trip singing Skatman and Shania Twain loudly to the passers by. The weather was shit hot and I wasn’t prepared for the aftermath of what was….a massive leg burn that would stay on my leg for pretty much all of eternity (Yep it’s still sort of there if you wanna know).

If you’re a bird I’m a bird. Right?

Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

Williamsburg was probably one of the best places I went too. It’s pretty up and coming and if you’re influenced and enjoy the Music/Arts scene you’ll probably wanna hang around here. I spent some of my July 4th here and had the best time exploring, finding little gems and painting my face off. Me and a couple of friends also went to Five Leaves which is a top restaurant set up by Heath Ledger and I’d really recommended checking it out because the food is beyond amazing.

I even got given a free beer mug!

Central Park, Upper Manhattan.

I’m not really a “Touristy” kinda person and I prefer to adventure into the unknown to find out what I like. BUT that said, I had the best time in Central Park and decided the best way to explore it hard core was to hire a bike, have ice lolly stop-offs and get ourselves on a boat. Because its SO BIG you can get so lost but there are people that work all around the park and are utterly lovely. This old retired Dentist gave my mate and I a little tour of Strawberry Hill, a Memoriam for John Lennon, The Friends infamous fountain, a popular wedding destination and loads more. If you’re a sceptic like me about tourist attractions, pleaseeeee go and visit. I promise you’ll have the greatest time.

Popular Wedding Venue.

Shepherds Meadow.

Now, I can’t show you everything because if I did, it would consume my whole blog. These are only a few recommendations of places you should check out, and I’ll add some of my favourite drinking, entertainment and coffee spots with you all in a separate post during my time there.

But can you imagine…..If I let fear or what if get in my way, would any of this happened?

Test yourselves, it’s amazing what you might find and the places you may go.

☀ ● Nice to Meet Y.O.U. ● ☀

◎ ◍ ◉ A Little Piece of My Mind. ◉ ◍ ◎

Rose Bud Moment.

A Bite of The Big Apple.

☀ ● Nice to Meet Y.…

◎ ◍ ◉ A Little Piece of …

○ ● ● Music On, World Off ● ● ○

Rose Bud Moment.