When things get a little bit shit...

When life gets on top of you for whatever reason - it's really hard not to curl up into a ball and give up. As much as I would love to just retire to my bed and watch Gilmore Girls whilst the "Are you still watching this?" message pops up on my TV screen for the tenth time, I know that is simply not an option. 

As you can probably tell from the date between my last post and this one, I haven't written on here in a while. A long while. That's because I feel like i've lost my way a little bit - I seem to have forgotten the things that I once enjoyed, and have become settled in a routine of simply being, instead of living. I've become accustomed to making excuses, becoming overwhelmed and wasting time. There's nothing that particularly caused this - what began as a hectic week soon turned into a hectic month - fast-forward a year, and here I am. 

But i'm fed up. I'm bored of it.

While i've been writing this i've began making a plan - well, as much of a plan as I can figure out right now. I used to love nothing more than to browse the beauty counters at my local drugstore, trying out make-up looks and writing on here. I'll admit it was a lot easier whilst I was at university - life does have a nasty habit of getting in the way sometimes. But it was what I loved to do - it was amazing having a passion, and something that occupied my time well. So that's what i've decided i'm going to do. Whether I continue on this platform or have a complete re-design, I don't know. Whether I solely focus on writing or whether I make videos,  I don't know. All I know is that my head feels like it's full of fog - I can't seem to concentrate on the simple things anymore, and for someone who used to be so in control, this is unlike me. 

There's a well-known quote that has graced many a Pinterest board, that says:

"No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up."

This has really resonated with me, and I hope it does with you too. So, let's sort this out right now. Whatever shit you have going on in your life - every morning just get up and get moving. Make plans: tackle a to-do list, chat to a friend on the phone or go for a walk. Volunteer, attend a class or read that book that's been sitting on your shelf gathering dust since christmas. Just go. As soon as you decide to make the effort, you start taking back control of your life and things will eventually fall into place. For me that's tackling a mountain of washing, actually cooking a decent meal and writing on here again. 

Having said that, this is only day one for me, but I have hope. And really, that's all I can have at this stage.

So yeah, that's it from me for now - but watch this space, i'm sure you'll be hearing much more from me soon :) 

I'm Going to America - Trek America 2017!

Long time no speak!

It's been a while since i've posted, and I feel terribly guilty about it. I've felt quite uninspired recently, and had quite a few things going on in my personal life that have prevented me from putting my whole heart into my posts. I know I could have thrown things together if I really wanted to, but they wouldn't have been something I was proud of. I'd like to say in 2016 i'll get this blog up and running again, but it's a work in progress and i'll work on it when the time is right.

I do, however, want to write a post as I finally did something that i've wanted to do for six years. I booked a tour across America! Los Angeles to New York, to be exact. I cannot tell you how excited I am for this to happen - anyone who knows me will tell you that i've been playing with the idea since I was 18 and had a gap year in-between college. It started with Camp America, then I planned to do it alone, then with one of my sisters, and i've finally taken the plunge and booked the Trek America Southern BLT with my younger sister for July 2017. We'll be visiting Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, the Grand Canyon, Monument Valley, Sante Fe, New Mexico, San Angelo, Austin, Louisiana, New Orleans, Nashville, Memphis, Virginia, Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York. Dream!

Why now? To be honest, if I waited any longer I wouldn't have ever gone. You may or may not know that i'm engaged, and i'll be looking to move into a bigger flat in the summer, so there's just expense after expense after expense. Ever since i've started working full-time I haven't really treated myself to anything, so I think now is the right time before I get bulked down with too many adult responsibilities :P

Yes, 2017 does seem a long way away, and I completely agree. But waiting for 18 months is the sensible option as my sister will turn 21 a few days before we leave, and it will give me plenty of time to save the £5k needed. It's going to involve me budgeting and saving like crazy, but I was willing to pay the extra money to sleep comfortably in accommodation instead of camping like many of the treks involve. We'll be going in the height of summer, which isn't very sensible, but it'll be amazing to see America in the sunniest season (the only time i've been to America was in winter and it was difficult to see anything through the snow). Note to self: Bring 100000000 bottles of Factor 50!

So yeah, this is happening. The next step is to book our flights in July/August (as we're mega keen it's too early to book anything!) and then from there we're able to book our accommodation for before and after (we're planning on staying in New York for a couple of days afterwards) and then get the transport sorted. As i'm a bit of a spreadsheet geek i've already made a two page breakdown of predicted costs and a savings plan :P Can you tell i'm excited?! I think in preparation i'll be doing a series of posts to document the run-up, from budgeting to checklists, as when I was doing my research all of the blog posts and YouTube videos I found were extremely helpful. Is anyone else doing a trek in the near future and have some advice? I'd love to hear from you!

SEE YOU IN 2016.

Post-uni Life Lessons

In honour of Father's Day, here's me and my dad (looking all smart!) at my graduation :) 

So it's been about a year since I left Bournemouth, and to say my life has dramatically changed has been an understatement. While i've seen plenty of my peers enjoy their post-uni freedom by going travelling and taking trips, i've settled into a full-time job and my own place with my other half. Although not envious at all, it's definitely made me reflect on this past year and the thing's i've learned, and some i'm still struggling to wrap my head around:

I've learnt...

That living in a student house isn't the same as living in your own place
Living in student accommodation has the advantage of having someone else taking care of your bills. Yes, you need to pay them, but no one has to deal with meter readings and all that rubbish. Now it's all down to you - from setting up the internet to making sure the direct debits come out on time. It's stressful at first, but when you get the hang of it, there's a sense of responsibility and confidence that's totally new. Is that sad? Quite possibly!

That being broke is just a way of life
When I was practically living in my overdraft I thought of having no money was part and parcel of being a student. It wasn't until I moved away I realised I wasn't exactly going to be swimming in cash after my first 'proper' paycheque. Accumulating savings is hard, and although my parents have been a great help, there comes a point when you can't simply run to mum and dad whenever you need a bit of extra cash. You're an adult now, jeez.

How to cook without using a packet mix
I never used to really bother about eating well during uni as I lived so close to home I would just head to my mums for a good meal when I fancied it. But since they now live 100 miles away, i've learned to make my own comfort food. I now know what foods to make when i'm feeling sad or sick, and i've started actually getting excited when Rob brings home a new kitchen appliance for me to play around with (fresh pasta maker? Yes please!).

How to appreciate the weekends
I actually get two days off in a row now! I never had the luxury of being able to go without a job during uni, so I didn't get to have hangover fry-up's on sunday's at Wetherspoons or go shopping with my friends on a Saturday. So now, I make every weekend count. Sometimes I need the two days to recharge my batteries, but I try to make use of my time by not sleeping in, going on day trips and visiting friends and family whenever I can.

How to make a Netflix series stretch for more than a week.
During the summer between second and third year of uni, I watched nine seasons of Grey's Anatomy. Nine. Oh, those were the days! I've now learned to ration my programmes to give myself something to look forward to when i've had a particularly stressful day at work. Deadlines are a lot less daunting when there's new Pretty Little Liars to look forward to when you get home!

That living with a boy is hard!
During the last two terms of uni, Rob and I were basically living at each other's houses, making me think that living with another person would be a breeze. But be warned: You will argue about the washing, paying the bills and not cleaning up after each other. You don't want to become a nag, but sadly, it's inevitable. But the good definitely outweighs the bad and I couldn't imagine it any differently now :)

How much you need family your family and friends
You lean on your family and friends more than you ever thought you would. When I was at uni, I was still close to my family but I could go a fair few days without making contact. Now, I try to speak to at least one of them every day, and i'm constantly making plans to visit. Living on your own is hard, but living 100 miles away from everyone is even harder. It's important to stay in contact with everybody and ensure that the effort is equal from both parties.

I still need to figure out...

How to separate washing properly
Colour catchers are my new best friends, but yet the thought of turning something pink still terrifies me. I have a red and blue top that's been sat at the bottom of my washing basket for the past 4 months - what do I wash it with?!?!

How to make a bed
There's nothing quite like having your mum make your bed for you. Why are my sheets so creased? Why do they keep pinging off of the mattress? Are my children destined to sleep in crappy, half-made beds as i'm not blessed with the bed-making gene? These are the questions that keep me up at night.

What I even want to do
I thought i'd have it all figured out by the time I graduated. However, I see so many people straying from the traditional path of 'uni, work, house, marriage children' and completely making up their own rules. At 23, i'm incredibly lucky to have the life that I have and for the opportunities that have arisen for me - but it scares me to think where my life could be another year on from now! I suppose it's okay not to have all of the answers, but it makes me nervous all the same.

Making a Change

I feel like i've been walking around with my eyes closed for 23 years. I've spent ridiculous amounts of time and energy fretting about my weight and my health without acknowledging the fact that I literally have no idea what i'm putting into my body. It came to me after i'd been using MyFitnessPal for 3 months, eating 1300 calories a day and beginning to get a bit bored with having to measure everything down to the last gram. One day I saw I had 60 calories left over and went to reach for a banana, when I realised how many calories it contained and went for a Weight Watchers digestive biscuit instead. It was then I realised - how ridiculous is it that I would choose a processed concoction of chemicals and sugar instead of a piece of fresh fruit?! I was starving my body without even realising it. I knew then I needed to change what I consider to be the healthier option.

I did some reading, followed some blogs, subscribed to some YouTube channels, watched some documentaries and started paying attention. I've now opened the floodgates to this some-what terrifying world of healthy eating and now I know too much to close them. My attitudes towards food have completely changed. I'm fretting a lot less at how my body looks and more about how I feel. The idea of eating a McDonalds or KFC repulses me (although walking past it I can't beat the fact that it smells delicious!) and I now know if I work on taking care of my body instead of repriving it of the nutrition it really needs, the results will come. So today I thought i'd share with you the kind of 'rules' i'm trying to live by. I'm definitely not an expert and i'm not saying there won't be a ton of slip-ups, but the more I try the easier it will be:

Measure in goodness

This is the thing i've found the hardest to do.

Calories are the most confusing and misleading things ever. They don't take into account the good or the bad ingredients that make up what we eat - in my opinion, a calorie is just an irritating number. An avocado has round about the same amount of calories as a bag of Malteasers, but which one do you think is better for you? It's a no-brainer. I keep telling myself to measure in goodness instead of calories and that if I want to eat pure almond butter straight from the jar then it's not going to kill me. We've all been programmed into thinking that we must 'eat less, move more' when it comes to leading a healthy lifestyle, and although I agree with getting lots of exercise, it's definitely more about providing your body with the nutrients it needs instead of ensuring you don't exceed a silly number. 

If you don't understand it, don't buy it! 

Next time you're in the supermarket, grab your nearest 'fat-free' item and take a look at the ingredients. I guarantee they'll be a few things you can't pronounce, let alone understand. This does involve some reading to understand what certain ingredients are used for, but i've come to the conclusion that if something is made with a ton of chemicals I don't understand, then I have no business putting it in my body. On the other hand, if it grows in a garden, i'm gonna eat it.

Shop locally

I really enjoy knowing where my food has come from. I love knowing that i'm contributing to the local economy and that i'm eating something that was in the ground just a few miles away from me. It's far less likely to be processed, meaning it contains lots of lovely nutrients.  Obviously when things are out of season this is different, alongside sometimes it's difficult to find time to shop in multiple places, but this is something i'm looking to do a lot more. It's also often much cheaper to shop locally than in the supermarket, meaning you can really load up on veggies without denting your bank account.

Love your freezer

The freezer has to be one of the best inventions ever made. Seriously. It just saves me so much time and money! One of my favourite things to do when cooking is to double up on the ingredients, portion it out and stick it in the fridge or freezer for future meals. I love knowing I have another portion to look forward to for tomorrow's lunch if the meal was extra tasty and means that I am less likely to end up at the supermarket grabbing a pre-packed sandwich or pasta pot. It also means you can stock up on frozen vegetables when you can't get to the supermarket - most are picked and frozen within the first 24 hours so most of the nutrients are still there. 

Prep, prep, prep!

I think the greatest thing about processed food is that it's so convenient. It has a crazy-long shelf life, meaning it can just sit out waiting for you whenever you're hungry. So really, cooking things from scratch does feel like a bit of an effort at times. This is why I like to set aside a weekend afternoon (or weekday evening if i'm away or busy) to prep things for the week. Last weekend, for instance, I made a big batch of vegetable stock that I then split into freezer bags to keep for whenever i'm cooking, as well as a container of granola for the week ahead. I also made a tray of sweet potato brownies for whenever i'm feeling peckish. I actually did such a good job of prepping last weekend i'm set for the next few days! I find if I put something on Netflix in the background and just get on with it, you stop paying attention to how long it takes you and it's hugely satisfying to know you have lots of goodies to show for your hard work.

Be brave

I think one of the biggest steps is accepting that the way you look at food is going to change. The foods that I used to comfort myself are now my worst enemy. It's also about accepting the fact that's it going to be a bit more of an effort to get to where you want to be. Re-educating yourself about food is scary, but it can also be really enjoyable. I've recently discovered medjool dates - which are absolutely beautiful. They look gross, but my god are they sweet. I'm now hoping they will curb my sugar cravings, but only time will tell. On the flipside, don't force yourself to like something just because it's good for you. I tried a dairy-free almond shake from Pret the other day which was supposed to be really amazing, but I hated it (Far too sharp and waaay too much banana!). Find what works for you. I'm not a massive fan of celery and tomatoes, so I just choose something else instead. But at least give it a try!

I still crave pizza massively, and to be honest, I can't promise i'll never have a Domino's again in my lifetime. When I see my friends and they want to go to a restaurant that isn't super-healthy, i'm not saying I won't go. But I think making even the smallest change is a massive leap in the right direction. You hear so many people say "It's not a diet, it's a lifestyle change" and they are totally right - a diet is inevitably temporary and this certainly is not.

I'm always seeking new recipes to try or any information that will help guide me in the right direction so any help will be greatly appreciated :)

My Everyday Make-up #1

You know you love make-up when you actually look forward to putting on your face every morning. There was a time when I used to do half my face at a time just so I could see the difference the products made (I was late to everything at that time!). I like to experiment with lots of different products, especially foundation, but lately i've been sort of sticking to the same natural-ish look and just switching up my lipstick depending on what i'm wearing. 

So here is my everyday make-up. I usually put it all in a little basket with a small mirror and do my make-up in bed whilst watching an episode or two of Friends (US Netflix is possibly the best thing that's ever happened to me). I love a natural smoky eye, with a little bit smudged underneath. Strong eyebrows, purely because I love them, and cheeks with a natural looking flush. 

There are some products that i'd like to do more in-depth review on, but they'll come later on. I just feel that i've got myself a bit of a routine and found a lovely combination of products that really work with my skin, so thought i'd share it with you. 

Here are the products I use below:

Products

Maybelline Dream Smooth Primer

Benefit Erase Paste in 'No.1 Fair'

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25 Hour Foundation in '010 Light Porcelain'

Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 'Fair'

Bobbi Brown Sheer Finish Pressed Powder in 'White'

Max Factor Creme Puff Pressed Powder in 'Translucent'

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in 'Medium Brown'

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in 'Chocolate'

Benefit Stay Don't Stray Stay-Put Primer in 'Light Medium'

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in '65 - Pink Gold' and '35 - On and on bronze'

Benefit They're Real Mascara

The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in '02 Fair Matte'

MAC Archie's Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder in 'Veronica's Blush'

MAC Lustre Drops in 'Pink Rebel' 

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in '01 Nude Beige'

What do you use for your everyday make-up? Is there anything I should be trying? Let me know below.

Happy Sunday! x 

My 2014

I've had a great year. Not just great, i've actually had the best year of my life. Although these pictures don't show everyone that made this year special (Charlotte Scott, i'm talking to you!!), it gives a bit of an idea about how much fun i've had this year.

I saw in the beginning of the year in London with some of my best and oldest friends, then went back to Bournemouth to a house I shared with more great friends to finish my final year at university. In February I met my fiance, which feels really weird thinking that it's been less than a year since we started speaking. I worked for one of my favourite beauty brands, got my first car and got through my dissertation. I went on my first 'sister holiday', interned at a national magazine and graduated with a 2:1. I got engaged, got a graduate job and moved into my first flat with a guy. I spent the New Year in one of my favourite places in the world with some amazing people. I now live in a totally different city away from my family and friends and to be honest, I am a bit nervous as to what 2015 will bring. I read a quote today that said: "Starting today, I need to forget about what's gone, appreciate what still remains and look forward to what's coming next." Amongst all the irritating "New year, new me!" rubbish, this really stands out for me. So, when i'm feeling a bit lonely or doubting myself in any way, i'll take five minutes to reflect on what an amazing life I have, that has no limitations and is constantly surprising me. 2014 has been incredible to me, and I have a feeling it's only going to get better. 

Happy New Year.

My Graduation/ Overall University Experience

So around this time two weeks ago, I graduated university. Surrounded by my friends and family, I awkwardly walked across the stage praying to God that my slightly-too-big right shoe wouldn't fall off. When I did my annual weekend flat clean (Don't make fun, i'm becoming very house-proud since getting my own place!) I finally unpacked my diploma and all the wonderful cards and presents I received from family, and it got me thinking that I should do a post about university. 

To me, university was one of the best and worst experiences of my life. I will say now, if you are a worrier in any way, university will be very difficult for you. I'm not saying you won't get through it, but be prepared to pick up some sort of anxiety or awful habit (I actually got back into my childhood bad habit of pulling my hair out, but that's another post altogether) and spend the majority of the time second-guessing yourself. I now feel sick every time I think about assignment writing and could cry with joy every time I see a status from a current student moaning about their essay or dissertation topic, because I know I never have to do anything like that again. Yes, I know that sounds mean, but I did my time and feel it's my right to be happy that it's over with! 

I started university as one person, and feel like by the time i'd left I was ready to become an adult. That sounds weird to say and if you ask anyone that knows me they'll tell you that the words "I don't want to grow up!" are frequently said by me in any conversation, but really, by the time you get to third year, things will start to die down and you have to start seriously thinking about your future. Everyone's experience is different, but for me I was sick of feeling uncertain and wanted some direction.

Anxiety aside, I definitely think university was one of the best things i've ever done. I've met some incredible friends, experienced living somewhere new, and found out that I could do so much more than I ever thought I could do. The job I have now I would never have got if I hadn't gone to University and I would never have met my future husband. I didn't really come out of my shell until the end of second year, which was unlike me and frankly, a bit of a waste. However, I really feel like everything happens for a reason and that i've closed a really amazing chapter of my life with no regrets. 

Interning with the Good Housekeeping Beauty team!

I've lost count of the amount of jobs and internships i've applied for since leaving University. That's not because there have been hundreds or I don't care about them enough to remember, but once I hit that send button I try my hardest to close the lid on it so I don't spend the next few weeks desperately checking my emails and worrying about my CV being binned. This was exactly my thought when I applied for the beauty internship at Good Housekeeping, as part of their Foot in the Door campaign. I thought it was such a long shot I may as well forget about it and focus on other things, so you can imagine my surprise when I found out i'd been successful! 

For two weeks I worked with the Beauty team at the iconic Hearst building. I wrote content for the website, attended press days and helped work on the big November issue. It gave me an amazing insight into what it takes to create an issue and has made me realise that this is definitely something that I want to pursue as a career. The team were so lovely and made me feel really welcome. They asked me for ideas and I was never stuck for something to do - something that i've found to be a regular occurrence with internships. I just realised this morning that my first piece has been published on the GH website - take a look here. The only downside is that they couldn't set me up with my own Author name so it doesn't technically say that I wrote it, which is such a shame!

It was such a great experience and the only downside is that two weeks went far too quickly. I'm now looking for internships and employment elsewhere but my hope is that I can return there and work with the team again in the near future. The Foot in the Door scheme is a fantastic way to gain an insight into working on a professional publication and I would definitely recommend applying next year if you want to work in magazines. So it's back to reality for me for now, but I now have lots of amazing freebies to blog about and lots of jobs to apply for! 

Dissertation, suitcases and poorly made cocktails!

Oh haaaaaaaaai! Long time no speak. It's currently 10:17am and i'm still in bed with the curtains closed, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to give a sort-of explanation to my absence.

The last time I posted I was about to dive head-first into dissertation work, which ended up being 10x harder than I originally anticipated. I was terrified as whenever I think of a dissertation, I associate it with all-nighters and working right up until the deadline, but I was fortunate enough to be able to keep a level head and allocate my time so that I stopped working at about 7 every evening. That meant I didn't get as stressed as I thought I would, which is always good! I managed to hand it in a couple of days before the deadline just to say goodbye to it and then prepared myself for the end of University. I'm now just waiting for some results and i'll finally know what grade I graduate with.

My pretty car! 

So that's what i've been doing really, finishing up my degree. I've also just moved back to Southampton and started working full-time in my local Pitcher & Piano as a bartender to earn some cash to slowly climb out of my overdraft. It's the first time being a glorified cocktail maker and it is surprising how often you can pour in the wrong spirit or smash a wine glass! It isn't the glamorous post-uni life I was expecting but because i'm working nights etc. I decided to get myself a car, which gives me an amazing sense of freedom!

Rob and I trying not to burn in the sun!

I also recently went away to Weymouth with my boyfriend as one last little trip before we move out of the city together, which was lovely as the weather was perfect and there was lots to do. We also went to Monkey World and spent hours staring at the baby Orang-utans, which was incredible :D

So while i'm working and trying to put money away, i've been applying for internships and jobs within the media sector just to ensure I keep my foot in. I'm happy to announce that i've recently been offered a two-week placement with the beauty team at Good Housekeeping starting in a couple of weeks, so i'm really excited about that! I can be extremely hard on myself at times about my abilities, therefore this was an amazing confidence boost that has encouraged me to really put myself out there.

There you go! That has been my life over the past two months - A jumble of exams, assignments, over-packed suitcases and poorly made cocktails. Things are definitely changing and i'm coming to the realisation that I am now a graduate and expected to be grown up. I'm going to be getting back into beauty very soon, I promise - i'm just trying to find my feet :)

Life Update

(I never quite know what to use for life update pictures.. so here's me ready for my first day at work!)

Hi everyone,

Hope you're well and are excited as I am for Halloween tomorrow! 

I've been a bit MIA recently, and thought I owed it to you all to explain why. As you may or may not already know, i've begun my final year at University so have spent a while settling in and basically finding my bearings. I've got a lovely house that I feel really comfortable in with two of my best friends - I couldn't have asked for a better housing situation for this important year. 

For personal reasons I spent the past two years darting back to my hometown every weekend to work a part-time job, meaning that I missed out on half the fun of being away from home. I missed all the parties, the nights out and the lazy Sundays nursing a wicked hangover with your girlfriends. So this year I decided to leave my job in Southampton and apply for a part-time job where I will be in the same city as my University but still be able to fund myself. I can now say that I am a part-time Beauty Artist at Benefit Cosmetics, and i'm loving every minute of it! It's terrifying but very fulfilling. 

I also passed my driving test today - yaaaaay! So trying to sort of the absolute hell of insurance (which isn't looking promising!). I'm going to be doing a lot of work that will involve travelling around the South for my University project (If you're interested in finding out more about it then feel free to follow the official twitter page -@ParentAbuseUK) so i'm just trying to juggle a lot of things. I'll blog when I can as I still love it dearly, but obviously I am needed to prioritise and just don't have the time to blog every other day like I used to.

I appreciate every single person that reads this blog - It really is part of who I am (As soppy as that sounds!) and I will continue to blog, whether it be fortnightly or more frequently. Bare with me, there will be posts to follow! :) 

Mississipi Mud Pie

One of the things I really wanted to do this year was bake. My kitchen last year was a bit of a mess and was used mostly as a dumping ground for empty beer bottles, so you can imagine my excitement when my housemate Beth, who blogs as The Pastel Girl, suggested we make a pie as part of her dedication to The Great British Bake Off.

I'm not a big fan of fruit pies, so when we came across the recipe for a Mississipi Mud Pie which consisted of a mountain of chocolate, sugar and whipped cream.. SOLD!

Beth making the pie crust!

 

Ready for the oven - I could have just eaten it right there and then!

Tada! It tasted amazing, almost like a soft brownie. Next time i'd like a bit less whipped cream as i'm not the biggest fan, but overall I really enjoyed it and would love to make it again. It was extremely simple and, despite a few mishaps involving a loose bottom pie dish and a broken whisk, a lot of fun. I'm definitely going to start posting a few more cooking posts on here, as I love food almost as much as I love beauty products.

The full recipe can be found on Beth's blog. Enjoy!

Life Update

 Hey all!

It's been a while since I wrote about my life, so I thought i'd give a bit of an update.
I'm currently on my summer break from university, and now everyone has received their results its dawned on me that I am now a third year and will (hopefully!) be graduating next year. There's a lot of things that need to be in done in preparation for this important year, but I must admit i've been dragging my heels somewhat, almost like if I pretend that this is just another summer then it isn't real.

 I've been living at home trying to work extra shifts to get out of a bit of a financial rut,  and on my spare times trying to sail through some driving lessons so that it won't end up costing me thousands to finally get my pink license.
I've done a little bit of work experience this summer (My two weeks at Jack FM were amazing and really useful!), but because I spent my entire summer interning at LUXX last year I could afford to take a step back and actually relax. I've spent a lot of time with my friends, went on holiday with my family and watched 9 season's of Grey's Anatomy. PERFECT.

However, I move into my new house tomorrow, and its then the real work begins. This year i'm living with two of my course mates, in a little house with a purple oven and a giant floor-to-ceiling fridge. I'm quite looking forward to having my own space again, and have already invested in some vintage bunting and fairy lights to make my room extra girly this year. 
This year I promise to get my life in order and blog more, as hopefully i'll be in a hard-working mindset instead of slacking as I have done these past few months. Right, that's enough about me.. my next post will be beauty related, I promise! :)

P.s.: As you can see, my hair is now back to brunette! Due to financial issues, I can't keep up with having my hair dyed at a salon and it needed to be done desperately, so with the help of my best friend I am now my natural hair colour!

You'll Be Okay

This is going to be quite a personal post, so I apologise in advance if those aren't really your thing.

I won't go into too much detail, but these past few months have been hard for me. Certain events have left me turning into the worst version of myself, and it's been difficult to get back to being me. If you've ever met me, you would immediately see that I was the sort of person to take life by the reigns and remain focused on whatever I set my mind to. However, these past few months I spent the majority of the time trying to be something i'm not in order to please certain people that frankly didn't appreciate who I really was.

When I look back on these months, i'm disappointed in myself to be quite honest. It got to the point where I doubted myself, my confidence was low and I didn't think that what I did and what I wanted to do mattered just because it didn't matter to somebody else. But as cliche as it sounds, time really is a healer. Although I am now back to my old self and begin to move on with my life I decided I needed something with me to serve as a reminder to myself what is important.

I found this bracelet after reading a post from Zoella, and instantly knew this was exactly what I needed. Priced at just over £18 from etsy, this dainty silver-plated 'yes' bracelet serves as a reminder that what I want in life is still important, and instead of focusing my attention on people that don't appreciate me, I should focus on living life to the fullest and pay attention to the family and friends that support my ambition and love me for me.

So whenever I feel a bit low, nervous or doubt myself in any way, I will look to this bracelet and think: "Yes, what you do matters." or simply "Yes, you are going to be okay.". To be quite honest, i'm terrified of somehow going back to that place, and as small as this bracelet may be, it's helped me refocus and I know now that i'm a much stronger person and will no longer 'water myself down' for a person that isn't worth a second thought.

Have a great weekend x 

What's In Your Pocket? Blogger Challenge

I was recently approached by Money Supermarket to be a part of a really great project, that aims to celebrate 'life's little wins'. 'What's in your pocket?' began with hidden cameras capturing people's reactions when they discovered £20 in their dry cleaning pocket. Money Supermarket have taken this one step further and given £20 to a collection of bloggers to experience the thrill of finding money, and share how you've used the money and whether its given you or someone you know that feel-good feeling.

Being a university student and swiftly heading towards third year, sometimes you just need a little break. During my first year I never really went out, I allowed my work-load to consume me and spent my free time couped up in my bedroom on the phone to my friends or parents either moaning or having a breakdown over whether I thought I was good enough. 

Recent events have enabled me to realise that the key to handling stress is to allow yourself time to forget about it all.

 

  Therefore, with my £20 I put it towards a really great night out with one of my close friends from my course. We both get stressed and worry easily, so it was nice to get out of that environment and enjoy a relaxing night with amazing food and conversation that didn't revolve around our ever-mounting workload. I really liked being able to pay for the majority of the meal (It came to £28, so there was a little left over to pay!), as being students we're not exactly made of money!

Sometimes when you have a long list of to-do's it can be hard to imagine that you would have time to have nights off. But the time you spend worrying could be time spent curing yourself of that worry, as after this evening I found that I was ready to continue with my work after allowing myself to breathe for a little while. 

Overall I really enjoyed this challenge (although it was more of an award!), and encourage everyone to save a little of money every week to give yourself a night off, whether it be to go out for a meal or renting a DVD with a friend - your health and well-being will thank you for it.

If you want to take a look at the original 'What's In Your Pocket?' video, click here.

Why Do You Wear Makeup?

 (Black and white filter time - I'm feeling weird tonight!)

I got this idea from a post from Llymlrs and I thought it was a really interesting to read peoples reasons for diving head-first into the world of beauty, so I thought i'd write a little bit about my reasons. 

I didn't wear makeup properly until I was at least 17/18. When I went to my prom or on an occasional night out I would wear powder and some mascara, but anything more than that i'd shy away from. I always thought i'd go without it and then when I wear makeup on a night out people would really notice the difference, which they did. But slowly, as I became more absorbed in fashion, discovered new brands and secured internships that involved expanding my knowledge in both the fashion and beauty world my makeup bag began to build. There was a moment when an ex-boyfriend of mine (Who shall remain anonymous) told me that I was becoming superficial for wearing makeup; and that seriously stuck with me. Obviously I didn't see it that way, I saw it as someone who was comfortable enough to enjoy experimenting with new things and actually began to take pride in her appearance.

I don't rely on makeup in the slightest, I wear it most days but if I feel that my skin needs a break or I just generally can't be bothered I can go out bare faced (And my skin has thanked me for it!). Hunting for new products excites me, and I actually looked forward to putting on my makeup in the morning - there's something about getting dolled up on a daily basis that really boosts my mood. Makeup is supposed to enhance your natural beauty, so I never cake it on. I was always the tomboy in school, always the bare faced one who forgot to run a brush through her hair in the mornings, so the fact that I love makeup now is quite funny and unbelievable to some people - and it's strange to think that something that is 'unnatural' can make me feel more like me than I ever had done.

Why do you wear makeup? 

Week in Pictures (3)

(L to R) A gorgeous steak at my favourite Greek restaurant, how I spend my Friday night, one of the 5 rings from jwlry by llymlrs, making my revision notes as colourful as possible, Beau, my set-up for the train to Kent, new stripy dress, proving that i'm not the only one who eats out alone, saying goodbye to London, my hotel, hello Kent!, lonely on the train, experimenting with nail tattoos, wizard slippers, vintage Casio.

Cosmopolitan Blog Awards 2012

Here's the first video I have uploaded for this blog! Just a little chat about the awards and things. First off, i'd like to apologise for the bad editing, the 'ums', 'so yeah's' and 'What not's', i'm still new at this and I get a bit awkward sometimes!

TO VOTE, VISIT THIS SITE: http://www.next.co.uk/cosmo-blog-awards/

AND POST THIS URL IN THE 'The Blog URL you wish to nominate' BOX: http://www.sophie-says.com

Thanks to everyone who have taken the time to watch the video, nominate, or even look at my posts. It's much appreciated :)

My Week In Pictures (2)

Clockwise from top left:

(1) The most gorgeous detailing on an owl-print chiffon shirt from Zara.

(2) Either an upside-down tooth or a cat with no eyes? Haha.

(3) Finally got my acrylics taken off and went crazy with OPI's Rainbow Connection.

(4) I won £157! 

(5) My mum, sister and I decided to put the leftover Chinese food to good use.

(6) Daring to bare in the most plunging dress I have ever seen.

(7) NANDO'S. I had a free whole chicken and shared it with a friend, and this is what was left.

(8) Standard cake-making night at my house. It was incredible.

I apologise for the lack of posting in this area, i've been shuttling back and forth between Bournemouth and Southampton finishing assignments and revising. So this is more like 'My fortnight in pictures', but that doesn't sound too great!

My Week In Pictures (1)

 

Clockwise from top left:

(1) Passing my first University exam. Shorthand is one of the hardest things i've ever had to learn, and the fact that I passed has definitely made my week!

(2) Turning my desk into a dressing table. As my do most of my work on my laptop whilst sat on my bed, the desk wasn't being used. So I went to Argos and bought a gorgeous new mirror, and turned it into a huge dressing table!

(3) Bingo! Spent a lot of time playing this this week. With my work friends, my mum and Jason. Although I only won £15 (You don't want to know how much I spent!) it's a really fun night out.

(4) Becoming part of the Graduate Fashion Week blogging team. A really great opportunity! Still a bit unsure about what the role actually involves, but exciting all the same. 

(5) Messy Easter cakes. I haven't made rice crispy cakes in so long, and they're so cheap and simple to make! The only thing better than the end result is licking the spoon afterwards :) 

(6) Bella. I thought i'd add a picture of my gorgeous dog who sadly died last Monday. It goes without saying really. But as you can see, she was the most adorable puppy ever.

Sophie Says has it's own Facebook page!

Good morning everyone,

Hope you're all enjoying a lazy Sunday! I will be for the next 45 minutes until I need to crawl out of bed and get ready for a long day at work.

I just thought i'd do a quick post letting you all know that Sophie Says now has its own official Facebook page! I thought it would be nice to have a place where I can put all my newest posts and updates all in one place, so you all can be updated as you scroll through your newsfeeds :)

So feel free to like the page, and if you enjoy reading a post or have any suggestions or requests for posts please comment either on here or on the Facebook page.

Here it is, Sophie Says' official Facebook page :)

Hope you all have a good day x