Hello everyone! After a full week’s break from blogging (which couldn’t have been nicer), I’m back today with a post that I just can’t wait to share with you. Every single year, there are lessons to learn and so I got in touch with some of the amazingly talented & inspiring ladies I’ve followed here online throughout the past year (& longer) and asked them to sum up 2015 in a quote. You guys know how much I love quotes, so I thought this would be a really nice idea and a lovely post to have to look back on. No matter what the past year has taught you, it’s always important to look back and learn from it. Hope you enjoy…x

Audrey Leighton Rogers
www.befrassy.net
Instagram : @frassyaudrey

“Nothing you want will wander into your life. Wandering is for dreams but goals require a sprint.
A sprint that will humble you, hurt you, aggravate you but eventually lead you to a day where
everything you strived for is all around you.”

It’s rather uncouth to talk about money, especially amongst women. A stigma that needs to dissappear. I’ll start by saying I made more money than I ever imagined possible this year doing something I really truly adore. But it came at a sacrifice, in fact so many, as this year ends, I’m sleep deprived, missing my friends and wondering if I will ever have another boyfriend. But, I’m happy, happy because I reached goals I didn’t think I ever would. My success, sure it came at a price, but it shocked me – I feel so quietly accomplished I could burst!

Lydia Elise Millen
www.lydiaelisemillen.com
Instagram: @lydiaemillen

“No one is you and that is your power.”

Because this last year I truly learnt the power of being true to myself, who I am, what I love, what I don’t, what makes me sad and what makes me endlessly happy. I learnt how powerful my uniqueness really is when it comes to my career and where I want my life to go. I realised that I am the driving force behind my life and remaining true to myself throughout the journey is the best way to keep every moment exciting.

Jeanne Grey
www.greylayers.com
Instagram : @thegreylayers

“Never settle.”

I never believed in settling at all. I believe in expressing my full potential and getting back what I worked hard for and it is only through not ever settling do you achieve your set goals and beyond.

Lisa DiCicco Cahue
www.mindbodyswag.com
Instagram: @lisadnyc

“Be fearlessly Authentic.”

This year in particular has taught me more about staying true to myself and how powerful that can be. I’ve always believed in being authentic especially in a world where that is not always supported. I feel it’s deeply important be fearlessly authentic because it’s your life and there is only one you!

Pippa O Connor
www.pippa.ie
Instagram: @pipsy_pie

“Never allow waiting to become a habit. Live your dreams and take risks. Life is happening now.”

I think we’re all guilty of putting things off or not going for something for fear of failure. Loosing my Mum only a year ago taught me to not waste time with what I want to achieve and to just go for it.

Grace Mongey
www.facesbygrace.com
Instagram : @facesbygrace23

“She believed she could so she did.”

I love this quote because at the start of the year I set myself so many goals, to get my dream job, grow my followers, buy my dream car, get my own place, etc and I’ve done it all! I’ve grown as a person and have pushed myself to do things I never would have dreamt of doing!

Anouska Proetta Brandon
Blog: www.anouska.net
Instagram @anouskapb

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”

I chose this quote because I feel it resonated with me the most as this year has been full of changes, some good, some bad, all of which however have made me learn to adapt to in order to grow, professionally and personally.

Louise Cooney
www.louisecooney.com
Instagram: @louisecooney_

“You only get one life. It’s actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”

I chose this quote because it can be applied to so many different things I’ve learnt over the past year. I’ve learnt how important it is to go after what you want whole-heartedly and live the happiest and most fulfilling life you can. You only get one shot at it. Especially in your twenties – time goes by so fast so you have to make the most of it. YOLO and all that.

Niamh O Sullivan
www.cinnamon-soul.com
Instagram: @niamh_osullivan

“The only thing scarier than making a big change, is regret.”

Within 3 months, I quit my job, started my blog, and moved to New York. Terrified doesn’t come close to describing how each of these made me feel, but nothing motivates me more than the fear of regret. Whether it’s something big or small, it’s worth taking a chance to achieve your goals. If it doesn’t work out, at least you can say that you tried, and if it does, it’s the best feeling in the world!

Michaela O’ Shaughnessy
www.lifeofaladybear.com
Instagram: @lifeofaladybear

“She lived the life she always imagined.”

If this past year has taught me anything, it’s that everything you’ve ever dreamed of is within your reach if you work hard enough and just go for it. Moving to New York this year wasn’t easy. Trying to establish yourself in the most competitive city in the world was testing to say the least. But with some will power and hard work I’m happy to say that I’m living a life I couldn’t have even dreamed of, living in Manhattan and working with MTV. And honestly if I can do it, anyone can!

Lorna Ruane
www.lcscloset.com
Instagram: @lcscloset

“Don’t compare you’re inside to your someone else’s outside.”

In September I went to Inbound in Boston, and one thing I heard over and over was how important it was that we stop comparing ourselves to others. This really struck a chord with me, and I think we’re all guilty of this at some stage of lives. Social media has made it so much easier to compare our lives with someone who looks like they “have it all.” The problem with this is we tend to forget that online we only see the highlights of a person’s life. We don’t see the hard work and struggle they went through to get where they are. I really think if you spend too much time focusing on what other people are doing you’ll never be happy. Focus on what you actually want and work towards achieving it. You’ll be amazed how quickly all the things you want will to start fall into place.

Suzanne Jackson
www.sosueme.ie
Instagram: @sosueme_ie

“Good Things Take Time”

To me this quote means everything. I am a very “now” person, and always want things to happen immediately. But I have really learnt this year, that good things take time. I have always wanted my own beauty line, and after a few hiccups over the last two years, things not going to plan and being let down.. Eventually after meeting the right people in 2015, my dream came true. I launched my SOSU brand in April of this year with a 25 Nail polish collection. A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into creating my own brand and we did year one figures in 7 weeks. I was astounded. 2016 if going to be an even bigger year for SOSU as I have been working on more products for the last 6-12 months, but, remembering that good things take time. And that goes for every aspect in my life. Work hard, keep positive and good things will happen… In time.

Nuala Gorham
www.pennyandpolaroids.com
Instagram : @nualagorham

“I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday.”

2015 was a really big year from me as I took the leap into full-time blogging and freelance work last January, and I’ve never looked back! The past year has been the busiest year of my life but I can honestly say I enjoyed it so much. I’ve worked hard but there’s a lot more work to do. I’m the kind of person that needs something to strive for, so there will always be another goal in my sight.

Nessa Cotter
Instagram: @nessahurley

“Whatever you are looking for in life is looking for you too.”

I live my life by the mantra of constantly challenging yourself… You can’t stand around and wait to be asked to dance! 2015 was a year that I challenged myself more than ever before and it has been such a year to remember. I didn’t think I could ever top 2014 but this year has been filled with some of my greatest achievements, my lowest of lows, my highest of highs, my most memorable adventures, new friendships and is ending on the most incredible note with the addition of our beautiful daughter, Emie-Rose.

…and lastly, a quick quote from me too. There’s so many I could have chosen, but the below is what stands out to me most.

“Don’t wait for opportunity. Create it.”

If there’s one thing that I began to realize in 2015, it’s that whatever you want to do, you have to just go & do it. Absolutely anything is possible if you work hard, remain genuine & surround yourself with the right people who will support you to the moon and back. If you want something bad enough, there is not a single thing in this world that will stop you from getting it.

Without a doubt, this was one of my favorite posts I’ve written to date. A HUGE thank you to all the amazing ladies who contributed to this post…I hope they all inspire you as much as they inspire me.

Here’s to an absolutely amazing 2016!

Stylishly Yours,

Erika x