Saturday 31 October 2015
My thoughts on: HALLOWEEN
Happy Halloween!
I know that for a lot of people, Halloween is a high point of the year, when children (and some adults) trick or treat, there are parties, costumes and although it is centred around scaring people, it is quite a happy night.
However, I have actually never celebrated Halloween.
My family is religious, and because of this my parents have always been pretty anti-Halloween.
When I was younger it always used to upset me because I'd hear tales of everyone else out having fun, being given sweets and I would be at home not doing any of that. I always felt like I missed out on something.
But now, when I'm asked if it upsets me or if I feel like I've missed out on anything, I answer completely honestly no. Because I have never done it, I have nothing to feel I'm missing out on.
At my age, it's not really the done thing to go trick or treating, it's more about getting dressed up in a sexy costume, going to a party and most likely getting drunk. That really isn't who I am, or what I want at all.
I personally think that the notion of getting dressed up and going out to scare people, decorating your home with spiders and pumpkins is a little ridiculous. It is really just something that we have all been brainwashed into spending huge amounts of money on.
I don't want to offend anybody who is reading this, because these are just my personal views on Halloween, and why I don't celebrate it.
But just because I don't get dressed up and go around asking for sweets doesn't mean that I don't enjoy Halloween.
When I was little, my mum used to take me to a shop and buy me a magazine and a chocolate bar every Halloween, so that I never missed out on anything. And believe me, I got more joy out of my Cbeebies magazine and Curly Wurly than any of my classmates did from their awful cheap chocolates and making themselves feel ill.
And that is why, this Halloween I shall be staying in with two friends who also don't do Halloween, and we're not going to do Halloween together.
And we're going to watch Strictly Come Dancing.
Because we're that cool.
And if things get a little crazy, it might just be because we've had a little too much pepsi and a few too many moams.
Jealous? I know you are.
And I know that Strictly will be Halloween themed, but the hair and makeup and the costumes are always so fantastic every year, I love love love looking at them!
So, there are my thoughts on Halloween, and I hope that wherever you are, whatever you're doing, you have a good 'un.
See you soon!
Friday 30 October 2015
Chargers
Firstly, I want to apologise for being a bit behind on posts recently, I am experiencing some technical difficulties at the moment, which is really what this post is about and I'm sure you'll understand, like the fantastic person I'm sure you are. I am working really hard to get all the posts I have missed up, so just bear with me and hang on tight!
Today on this lovely ranty Friday, I am going to be talking about chargers.
And how much they annoy me.
Has it always been this way? When cave man's phone ran out, did he have to plug it in to recharge? (Of course, I'm not an idiot, I do know that cave men didn't have phones, but I was exaggerating to make my point.)
And why is it, that when we need them most our phones fail us and die, just when we need to do something really important? I think that it is because your phone secretly hates you and not because you have spent the last four hours playing Tetris!
And at that moment, when you reach for you charger, plug it in to the wall, plug your phone on and...
nothing happens.
Because your charger is broken. And it too, also hates you.
You try to wiggle it this way and that, hoping to see the little lightening shape appear next to the battery icon (if you have an iPhone), but to no prevail.
Nothing works.
To quote one of GiffGaff's adverts, the phone is your lifeline. When it dies, a part of you dies too.
And so when this happened to me, it was bad.
You see, over the past week I have been out and about a lot where there is no wifi. So when I have been writing posts on my phone, I cannot sync them to my laptop automatically, because that requires wifi. (I do apologise if I'm getting too technical, I barely understand it myself!) Normally I just wait until I am home to sync the post to my laptop because I then have wifi. But when your phone is dead and cannot be revived, the blog posts that are on my phone cannot be taken off my phone and therefore must be rewritten, henceforth, I get behind on blog posts. And social life.
I am going to be getting a new charger, but it is still a little iffy to order it off amazon, and will take a few days to come, and I have a lot to get done over the next few days, like social arrangements, lunches, blog posts... *guilty face*
So if you have ever been in my situation or are in my situation currently, I'm sure you feel my pain. I hope that I managed to rant enough for ranty Friday, and I hope that you are having a wonderful ranty Friday, wherever you are!
See you soon!
Today on this lovely ranty Friday, I am going to be talking about chargers.
And how much they annoy me.
Has it always been this way? When cave man's phone ran out, did he have to plug it in to recharge? (Of course, I'm not an idiot, I do know that cave men didn't have phones, but I was exaggerating to make my point.)
And why is it, that when we need them most our phones fail us and die, just when we need to do something really important? I think that it is because your phone secretly hates you and not because you have spent the last four hours playing Tetris!
And at that moment, when you reach for you charger, plug it in to the wall, plug your phone on and...
nothing happens.
Because your charger is broken. And it too, also hates you.
You try to wiggle it this way and that, hoping to see the little lightening shape appear next to the battery icon (if you have an iPhone), but to no prevail.
Nothing works.
To quote one of GiffGaff's adverts, the phone is your lifeline. When it dies, a part of you dies too.
And so when this happened to me, it was bad.
You see, over the past week I have been out and about a lot where there is no wifi. So when I have been writing posts on my phone, I cannot sync them to my laptop automatically, because that requires wifi. (I do apologise if I'm getting too technical, I barely understand it myself!) Normally I just wait until I am home to sync the post to my laptop because I then have wifi. But when your phone is dead and cannot be revived, the blog posts that are on my phone cannot be taken off my phone and therefore must be rewritten, henceforth, I get behind on blog posts. And social life.
I am going to be getting a new charger, but it is still a little iffy to order it off amazon, and will take a few days to come, and I have a lot to get done over the next few days, like social arrangements, lunches, blog posts... *guilty face*
So if you have ever been in my situation or are in my situation currently, I'm sure you feel my pain. I hope that I managed to rant enough for ranty Friday, and I hope that you are having a wonderful ranty Friday, wherever you are!
See you soon!
Thursday 29 October 2015
This or That
I'm sorry! It's another tag!!!
Makeup:
Makeup:
- blush or bronzer
- lip gloss or lipstick
- eyeliner or mascara
- foundation or concealer
- neutral or colour eye shadow
- pressed or loose eye shadows
- brushes or sponges
- perfume or body splash
- lotion or body butter
- body wash or soap
- lush or other bath company
- jeans or trackies
- long sleeves or short
- dresses or skirts
- stripes or plaid
- scarves or hats
- studs or dangly earrings
- necklaces or bracelets
- heels or flats
- jacket or hoodie
- Primark or Superdry
- curly or straight
- bun or ponytail
- bobby pins or butterfly clips
- hair spray or gel
- long or short
- light or dark
- side sweep fringe or block fringe
- up or down
- rain or shine
- summer or winter
- fall or spring
- chocolate or vanilla
- black or white
Monday 26 October 2015
20 questions tag
I'm very sorry, but I was feeling a little uninspired today, so I thought that I would just do a nice easy tag! I apologise if you are disappointed!!!
1. Thing you cannot leave the house without?
My watch
2. Favourite brand of makeup?
Rimmel London, or Gosh, or Revlon (or possibly Bourjois). I'm quite indecisive when it comes to makeup!
3. Favourite flower?
I actually don't really have one... probably something incredibly cliché like roses.
4. Favourite clothing stores?
Primark, H and M, New Look
5. Favourite colour?
Yellow
6. Heels of flats?
Flats - I'm too tall for heels!
7. Do you make good grades?
Most of the time...
8. Chocolate or sweets?
Chocolate, but I love moams!
9. Do you drink energy drinks?
Does pepsi count? Because if not then no, but if it does, then all the time!
10. Do you drink juice?
No, not really. I prefer orange squash.
11. Do you like swimming?
I love swimming, as long as I'm not being timed or anything. I like swimming for me, not for a stop watch.
12. Do you eat fries with a fork?
NO! Who even does that!?!?
13. What's your favourite moisturiser?
Simple, kind to skin hydrating light moisturiser.
14. Do you want to get married later on in life?
Yes.
15. Do you get mad easily?
About some things, yes. Just wait until ranty Friday!
16. Are you into ghost hunting?
I don't personally go out and hunt ghosts, no.
17. Any phobias?
I can't stand the dentist.
18. Do you bite your nails?
No, but I pick and rip them, so they are awful anyway.
19. Have you ever had a near death experience?
No, I live a very boring life.
20. Do you drink coffee?
No, I can't stomach the smell of it.
So there you are! The answer to 20 questions that you probably weren't the slightest bit interested in knowing!
See you soon!
1. Thing you cannot leave the house without?
My watch
2. Favourite brand of makeup?
Rimmel London, or Gosh, or Revlon (or possibly Bourjois). I'm quite indecisive when it comes to makeup!
3. Favourite flower?
I actually don't really have one... probably something incredibly cliché like roses.
4. Favourite clothing stores?
Primark, H and M, New Look
5. Favourite colour?
Yellow
6. Heels of flats?
Flats - I'm too tall for heels!
7. Do you make good grades?
Most of the time...
8. Chocolate or sweets?
Chocolate, but I love moams!
9. Do you drink energy drinks?
Does pepsi count? Because if not then no, but if it does, then all the time!
10. Do you drink juice?
No, not really. I prefer orange squash.
11. Do you like swimming?
I love swimming, as long as I'm not being timed or anything. I like swimming for me, not for a stop watch.
12. Do you eat fries with a fork?
NO! Who even does that!?!?
13. What's your favourite moisturiser?
Simple, kind to skin hydrating light moisturiser.
14. Do you want to get married later on in life?
Yes.
15. Do you get mad easily?
About some things, yes. Just wait until ranty Friday!
16. Are you into ghost hunting?
I don't personally go out and hunt ghosts, no.
17. Any phobias?
I can't stand the dentist.
18. Do you bite your nails?
No, but I pick and rip them, so they are awful anyway.
19. Have you ever had a near death experience?
No, I live a very boring life.
20. Do you drink coffee?
No, I can't stomach the smell of it.
So there you are! The answer to 20 questions that you probably weren't the slightest bit interested in knowing!
See you soon!
My go-to book
Everyone has that one book, that one story that they go to in times of need and distress or when they just want to relax.
My go to book is called: The Belfry Witches.
It is probably written for 6 year olds and I first got it when I was about that age, and I have read it a countless number of times since then.
The story is about two witches that live in a church belfry after being banished from Witch Island. They are learning to be good, with their best friend, the curate Mr Babbercorn, the vicar and Mendax the cat. However, they have to go on daring quests to save the ones they love and try and end Mrs Abercrombie's (the wicked queen) reign of terror back on Witch Island.
I can't explain what it is about this book, because it is written for a young audience, but I just love it!
There have been so many times when I'm tired and my kindle is out of power and everything seems to be wrong with the world, and that is when I go to my shelf and get down this book.
I have read it so many times, and most people can't stand to re-read a book when they know what is going to happen, but I feel that there are always a few exceptions, this being one of them.
I actually bought it for about 20p from a book stall at a summer fair in primary school, and it was most definitely worth it.
I actually recently discovered that it was made into a TV series in 1999, and after watching an episode I have concluded that it is kind of.... atrocious. I'm sorry BBC, I love you normally, but those special effects... hurt me deep down.
(Also, Old Noshie is meant to have a luminous green face and blue hair - not purple)
I also think that it is nice to have a hard copy version of your favourite book.
I have a kindle, and if I ever want a new book, I will get the kindle version without even considering getting a hard copy. So, when I read the classic version, it feels really special.
Do you have a go-to book for when you are sad or stressed or need to relax? I know that my sister loves to read Good Night Mr Tom, and my mum loves to read More Than Love Letters. I'd love to hear your suggestions.
My go to book is called: The Belfry Witches.
It is probably written for 6 year olds and I first got it when I was about that age, and I have read it a countless number of times since then.
The story is about two witches that live in a church belfry after being banished from Witch Island. They are learning to be good, with their best friend, the curate Mr Babbercorn, the vicar and Mendax the cat. However, they have to go on daring quests to save the ones they love and try and end Mrs Abercrombie's (the wicked queen) reign of terror back on Witch Island.
I can't explain what it is about this book, because it is written for a young audience, but I just love it!
There have been so many times when I'm tired and my kindle is out of power and everything seems to be wrong with the world, and that is when I go to my shelf and get down this book.
I have read it so many times, and most people can't stand to re-read a book when they know what is going to happen, but I feel that there are always a few exceptions, this being one of them.
I actually bought it for about 20p from a book stall at a summer fair in primary school, and it was most definitely worth it.
I actually recently discovered that it was made into a TV series in 1999, and after watching an episode I have concluded that it is kind of.... atrocious. I'm sorry BBC, I love you normally, but those special effects... hurt me deep down.
(Also, Old Noshie is meant to have a luminous green face and blue hair - not purple)
I also think that it is nice to have a hard copy version of your favourite book.
I have a kindle, and if I ever want a new book, I will get the kindle version without even considering getting a hard copy. So, when I read the classic version, it feels really special.
Do you have a go-to book for when you are sad or stressed or need to relax? I know that my sister loves to read Good Night Mr Tom, and my mum loves to read More Than Love Letters. I'd love to hear your suggestions.
Saturday 24 October 2015
My thoughts on: MY BEDROOM
As a teenager, I still live at home with my parents, and so in the house there is only one room that is completely mine.
My bedroom.
And I love my room so so so much.
I feel that, as a teenager, I spend a huge a amount of time in my room, doing work, writing posts, on my phone ect ect. It is most definitely my favourite room in the house, because it is completely mine.
I used to share my bedroom with my older sister, up until I was 5 or 6 (which was when we converted my dads old study into her room) and suddenly I had my own space.
My parents have always let me be very independent when it comes to my room. If I want to live in a mess, then I'm the one who has to suffer. If I want to stick stuff all over the walls, then I'm the one who is going to have the ruined paint work. I do feel really lucky for this, because I know that some people have very little control over their rooms. I love having somewhere that is my responsibility.
I wont actually include any images in this post, because it isn't in a very good way at the moment. However, by then end of the half term holiday, I should have finished doing some of the plans I have for it, and then I'll do a post where you can have a little rootle around and see what's going on.
I'm actually not a particularly messy person, I don't like mess at all. Saying that, however, my room always seems to be untidy. I must tidy it every other day, but it is quite cluttered, and although I don't like it to be messy, it usually is.
I really love interior design and one of my greatest pleasures is sitting down and flicking through a few Ideal Home's and debating what to do with my room next. I'm that girl who is always rearranging her furniture and my room layout will be different every time you come round.
But the thing is, I have quite an odd shaped room. I suppose it is kind of a square, with my door in the corner, and a large window opposite. I then have a chimney breast as well, with two small alcoves either side. However, one of these alcoves has the built in airing cupboard, which sticks out further than the chimney breast, making one wall of my room split into three awkwardly sized and positioned sections. I don't know if any of that made any sense whatsoever, but I did my best!
The airing cupboard is actually my least favourite thing about my room, closely followed by my light. All day, every day, my family traipses in and out of my room to get to the airing cupboard to get various things. If my room is in too much of a mess that they can't reach it, they leave piles of clothes and bed sheets and towels heaped in my room, ready to go into the airing cupboard. It gets me very annoyed, but there isn't really anything that I can do about it.
My light annoys me because I don't actually get that much light from my window and so my light is on pretty much the entire time that I am in the room, and it really isn't very good. I partly blame the dull opaque lampshade that I bought to match my colour scheme (and now regret) and I party blame the low energy bulb is uses. Don't get me wrong, I want to save the environment and everything, but it is just very dull. I can't actually do my makeup in the mornings when it is dark because the light is too bad for me to be able to see what I'm doing.
However, I'm not really complaining because I should be getting a new light fitting very soon!
But, now that I have complained about the not so good things, I should tell you about all of the amazing and wonderful things that I love about my room, because there are so many.
I love my bed soooooo much. I love to make it every day and make it look pretty by arranging cushions and turning it into a sort of daybed. When ever I am in a home wear section of any shop, I will always look at the duvet covers and fall in love with far too many, I love shopping for cushions, I love my pillow, I literally just love everything about my bed!
I love my big window, with its beautiful long window sill, and the fact that I can always see the sun rising in the morning.
I love that my room is always warm, always cosy, especially in winter. One of my least favourite things in all the world is being chilly, so I like to have my radiator on and an abundant amount of throws and slippers.
I love my walls and my photos. I am currently in the middle of blue-tacking hundreds of photos to my walls of happy memories, my friends, things that I love. It makes me so happy to look around and see things that can be so simple but will always bring a smile to my face.
I love redesigning it every other day, seeing just what other combinations can be made from my furniture.
I love to customise all of my furniture, and make it all personal to me.
Everything in my room, and everything in anybody's room, should be just about them. Things that make them happy, things that relax them... the bedroom is a happy place where you can chill out and just be yourself.
That is what my room is. And that is why I love it.
My bedroom.
And I love my room so so so much.
I feel that, as a teenager, I spend a huge a amount of time in my room, doing work, writing posts, on my phone ect ect. It is most definitely my favourite room in the house, because it is completely mine.
I used to share my bedroom with my older sister, up until I was 5 or 6 (which was when we converted my dads old study into her room) and suddenly I had my own space.
My parents have always let me be very independent when it comes to my room. If I want to live in a mess, then I'm the one who has to suffer. If I want to stick stuff all over the walls, then I'm the one who is going to have the ruined paint work. I do feel really lucky for this, because I know that some people have very little control over their rooms. I love having somewhere that is my responsibility.
I wont actually include any images in this post, because it isn't in a very good way at the moment. However, by then end of the half term holiday, I should have finished doing some of the plans I have for it, and then I'll do a post where you can have a little rootle around and see what's going on.
I'm actually not a particularly messy person, I don't like mess at all. Saying that, however, my room always seems to be untidy. I must tidy it every other day, but it is quite cluttered, and although I don't like it to be messy, it usually is.
I really love interior design and one of my greatest pleasures is sitting down and flicking through a few Ideal Home's and debating what to do with my room next. I'm that girl who is always rearranging her furniture and my room layout will be different every time you come round.
But the thing is, I have quite an odd shaped room. I suppose it is kind of a square, with my door in the corner, and a large window opposite. I then have a chimney breast as well, with two small alcoves either side. However, one of these alcoves has the built in airing cupboard, which sticks out further than the chimney breast, making one wall of my room split into three awkwardly sized and positioned sections. I don't know if any of that made any sense whatsoever, but I did my best!
The airing cupboard is actually my least favourite thing about my room, closely followed by my light. All day, every day, my family traipses in and out of my room to get to the airing cupboard to get various things. If my room is in too much of a mess that they can't reach it, they leave piles of clothes and bed sheets and towels heaped in my room, ready to go into the airing cupboard. It gets me very annoyed, but there isn't really anything that I can do about it.
My light annoys me because I don't actually get that much light from my window and so my light is on pretty much the entire time that I am in the room, and it really isn't very good. I partly blame the dull opaque lampshade that I bought to match my colour scheme (and now regret) and I party blame the low energy bulb is uses. Don't get me wrong, I want to save the environment and everything, but it is just very dull. I can't actually do my makeup in the mornings when it is dark because the light is too bad for me to be able to see what I'm doing.
However, I'm not really complaining because I should be getting a new light fitting very soon!
But, now that I have complained about the not so good things, I should tell you about all of the amazing and wonderful things that I love about my room, because there are so many.
I love my bed soooooo much. I love to make it every day and make it look pretty by arranging cushions and turning it into a sort of daybed. When ever I am in a home wear section of any shop, I will always look at the duvet covers and fall in love with far too many, I love shopping for cushions, I love my pillow, I literally just love everything about my bed!
I love my big window, with its beautiful long window sill, and the fact that I can always see the sun rising in the morning.
I love that my room is always warm, always cosy, especially in winter. One of my least favourite things in all the world is being chilly, so I like to have my radiator on and an abundant amount of throws and slippers.
I love my walls and my photos. I am currently in the middle of blue-tacking hundreds of photos to my walls of happy memories, my friends, things that I love. It makes me so happy to look around and see things that can be so simple but will always bring a smile to my face.
I love redesigning it every other day, seeing just what other combinations can be made from my furniture.
I love to customise all of my furniture, and make it all personal to me.
Everything in my room, and everything in anybody's room, should be just about them. Things that make them happy, things that relax them... the bedroom is a happy place where you can chill out and just be yourself.
That is what my room is. And that is why I love it.
Friday 23 October 2015
Half term!
Hi everybody!
If you are feeling even slightly as exuberant as I am now, then the world is a happy place today!
If you are feeling even slightly as exuberant as I am now, then the world is a happy place today!
It's officially half term, which means a week off from school! A week isn't a huge amount, but when you have had an exhausting half term (like me!) you're pretty desperate. (Shout out to all teachers out there!)
Although I have been given ridiculous amounts of holiday homework (far too much for one week) I am really looking forward to switching my alarm clock off, and having a lovely long lie in tomorrow and everyday for the next 9 days.
I've also actually got some social plans as well! Normally I am one of those people who hibernates under there duvet from the second they get home to the time they have to go back to school. I hear about these girls who are out meeting 300 different people everyday, and it just makes me think: who can actually be bothered?
So besides seeing a few friends, and horrible amounts of homework, I don't have much to do. Which means lots of time to write blogs!
I've been getting a little behind recently, having to rush to my laptop and start typing the second I get in from school in order to get my post up by 5. (That's clearly not what I'm doing now!) I'm debating whether I should change it to 6, or maybe later in the evening... Thoughts?
So, because of this I am looking forward to having lots written and all stashed up in case I don't have time to write one every single day!
I know that this hasn't been a typical ranty Friday, but I am so happy due to it being half term that nothing can bring me down! Also, something very very exciting that I'm writing about tomorrow arrived on my doorstop when I got home, and I'm so happy about it!
Actually, I lied, today isn't completely rant free. I have possibly the largest spot in the world on my cheek. I have been able to feel it growing all day, and it has finally come through the skin and it's DISGUSTING!
Which, I'm certain you really wanted to know!
Anyway, I'll see you soon!
So, because of this I am looking forward to having lots written and all stashed up in case I don't have time to write one every single day!
I know that this hasn't been a typical ranty Friday, but I am so happy due to it being half term that nothing can bring me down! Also, something very very exciting that I'm writing about tomorrow arrived on my doorstop when I got home, and I'm so happy about it!
Actually, I lied, today isn't completely rant free. I have possibly the largest spot in the world on my cheek. I have been able to feel it growing all day, and it has finally come through the skin and it's DISGUSTING!
Which, I'm certain you really wanted to know!
Anyway, I'll see you soon!
Thursday 22 October 2015
How to survive cross country
If you go to a secondary school where the PE teachers seem to hate kids, then the chances are that you have to run cross country at some point in the year. Cross country season is currently upon me, but I have promised myself not to complain toooooo much about it, that was what yesterday's post was for!!!
So, as someone who has had to run it probably over 20 times in total, I thought that I'd share a few of my tips with you on how to survive it, if you hate it anywhere near as much as I do!
1. Don't take it too seriously. If you come first, if you come last, who cares? If you're like me, then you know that you're not going to win it, and you probably never will (no offence!). It used to upset me when I came right at the back, but it doesn't anymore because I've accepted it, and I no that I'm not good at running, but I do have other skills, and so it doesn't matter. You don't have to tell anybody what time or place you came, it's none of their business, but at the same time, don't obsess over it. Get a few friends and make it a social event where you can chat and catch up rather than a gruelling torture experience.
2. Never be ashamed of yourself. No matter what time you came, even if you came last, don't let it become a bad thing or something that you're embarrassed about. If people ask you what you got, you don't have to tell them, but if you do, do it with your head held high. Use your time as something to improve on, not as a comparison with other people. If you improve on your time, even by a few seconds, that's great! If you don't, never mind, there is probably a reason for it, like the weather or your mood. Never ever ever put yourself down because of cross country, it is bad enough without you adding to it.
3. Don't compare yourself to others. Yes, it is a race, but the only person you should race against is yourself. Some people find that if they have someone else to try and beat, it spurs them on, but that never helps me, it just depresses me. Like I just said, try to get better every time for yourself. Don't do it for anybody else, do it for you (and also do it because you have no choice and you have to).
4. Bare legs are easier to clean then trousers. For my first few cross countries, I wore my tracksuit bottoms which would come home caked in mud and incredibly smelly. And I had to get all of the mud off. So, since then I have learnt that it is much easier (though a little colder) to go with bare legs because all you need is some wet wipes. In my school, we have long socks, and so I normally wear them with bare legs, just to give me a little extra warmth.
5. Don't run with other people. If you get a few friends together and decide to walk it and just have fun, that's ok, but in the past I have found that I have always done so much better when I don't run with a friend. If you run with someone and you're slightly slower, you feel bad for holding them back, and if they do go off on their own, you then feel hurt. If you're slightly faster, then you feel slightly frustrated, but you don't want to leave them alone. You both end up feeling bad or sad or annoyed and you're both slower because of it. It isn't really worth it. Last year when I ran on my own I was 6 minutes quicker, and that is quite a bit!
6. Pack a survival kit and be ready for anything. You are going to have to run whatever the weather, and in our school the showers don't work and so you need to be prepared. In my cross country survival kit, I have a few things that will always be useful. The first is wet wipes, which I use for wiping my hands and legs and occasionally my face. I think that the worst bit is when you have managed to keep relatively clean and then you have to take off your shoes and all of that muck and mud on your laces goes all over your hands and fingers. Something else that I always have with me is a towel because it is useful to wipe your hair and body if it's been raining but also for a little bit of comfort if you're cold.
7. Football boots are your friend. When it is muddy and you're running through some pretty tough things, it is so much easier to do it all in football boots than in trainers. Football boots are kind of designed to be trashed, where as trainers can look very pretty. I have a friend who almost destroyed her beautiful rainbow memory foam sketchers by running cross country in them.
8. Run downhill. When you come to a steep decline, run down it full pelt (as long as it is safe to do so). You use more energy trying to slow down when you are going down a hill, so I think that it is much better to have a few moments of near flying where the wind is in your hair, and you feel free and then to have slightly more energy for the rest of it.
9. Take your mind off of it. When you're running, think of something else. I always sing songs in my head (I'm always far too short of puff to sing them out loud!). I know that some people like to visualise things. My friend Greta says that she pictures herself running from a dragon or something and at the end her handsome prince will be waiting for her. Another thing that I like to do, is give myself a treat or an incentive for when I finish.
So, I hope this helps you, even if it is only a little bit. If you are currently experiencing or will in the near future be experiencing cross country, I wish you all the best (you'll need it!).
See you soon!
7. Football boots are your friend. When it is muddy and you're running through some pretty tough things, it is so much easier to do it all in football boots than in trainers. Football boots are kind of designed to be trashed, where as trainers can look very pretty. I have a friend who almost destroyed her beautiful rainbow memory foam sketchers by running cross country in them.
8. Run downhill. When you come to a steep decline, run down it full pelt (as long as it is safe to do so). You use more energy trying to slow down when you are going down a hill, so I think that it is much better to have a few moments of near flying where the wind is in your hair, and you feel free and then to have slightly more energy for the rest of it.
9. Take your mind off of it. When you're running, think of something else. I always sing songs in my head (I'm always far too short of puff to sing them out loud!). I know that some people like to visualise things. My friend Greta says that she pictures herself running from a dragon or something and at the end her handsome prince will be waiting for her. Another thing that I like to do, is give myself a treat or an incentive for when I finish.
So, I hope this helps you, even if it is only a little bit. If you are currently experiencing or will in the near future be experiencing cross country, I wish you all the best (you'll need it!).
See you soon!
Wednesday 21 October 2015
Cross Country
First of all, Happy Wednesday!
But, sadly for me it is anything but a happy Wednesday, due to the fact the cross country season is officially upon us, and it is raining.
As a teenager in secondary school, every year I must be put under the torture that is cross country.
Whoever thought that making teenagers run through the mud and the woods in the wind and the rain and the freezing cold should be put to death. Seriously, I dare you to find one person who disagrees with me.
And I suppose that it could be slightly more bearable if done in the height of summer, when you can enjoy running in the sun.
But no. It is done (in my school at least) in late October and early November.
Why?
And, in my school we have to run the course every PE lesson for two weeks, as well as an extra time for fun.
Fun.
No words.
And it's not like they do it for two weeks so that it is over and done with, oh no!
We have to do a week before half term and then a week after half term, just to spread out the torture.
Why would you make us suffer for three weeks instead of two?
I reckon it is just so that we get the worst weather possible.
But what I find the absolute strangest is that the PE teachers actually seem to enjoy it.
What. Is. That.
I have a theory however. Someone like me, I hate PE more than life itself. It isn't my thing, I can't do it. Cross country, is what I think the PE teachers use to get their revenge on people like me.
What did I ever do to you?!?!
I'm sorry that I don't do running or jumping or anything in particular, but seriously! This isn't the way to get your own back!
So, it is now raining and I have the delightful task of running it later today, for the second time this week.
When you are reading this, it will all be over, and I may have died, so think of a mud splattered, rain drenched, cold, shivering me!
And after today, I only have three more to do!!!
Focus on the positives, optimism all the way. It is Happy Wednesday after all!
I think that I'm going to do another post tomorrow on how to survive cross country, which won't be me just ranting.
I probably should've saved this for Friday, but oh well, live and learn!
See you soon! (I hope!)
Tuesday 20 October 2015
Messed up sky!
Weather. The weather in England is messed up. Everyone knows that. Rain, sun, wind, snow and who knows what else.
But I never thought that it could be this messed up.
The other day when I was walking home from the bus stop, the sky was absolutely crazy.
Would you believe that these photos were taken on the same day, in the same place, at exactly the same time?
One was taken to my left and one was to my right.
I promise I haven't photoshopped any of these whatsoever to exaggerate - trust me, I wouldn't know how!
I tried to get some photos where you can literally see the line between grey and beautiful blue, as well as some lovely sun shots!
I just got very confused, because I didn't understand it! How can the sky be so unsure of its mood that it decides to try and be everything at once.
I wouldn't have been surprised if it had started snowing!
I don't know if anyone is even slightly as interested or baffled by this as me, but please let me know if this is a normal occurrence where you live, or whether it is just down right weird. Personally, I think that it's the latter.
Actually, the weather recently has been so messed up. All summer it was rainy and cold and unpleasant (a typical British summer) and then as soon as we hit October it started being really sunny. Not particularly warm, but pleasant none the less.
Now, it keeps chopping and changing. You could be out in the sun and then it starts raining before being sunny again!
Believe me, I would know this considering that it is cross country currently! Does anyone else love that alliteration as much as me?
So, I'm sorry that this was pretty short, but it's nearly half term and then things should improve!
See you soon!
Monday 19 October 2015
It's so pretty!
For a while now, most of my makeup has been in storage. You see, over the summer, I was expecting to have my room redone which was going to include taking out my chimney breast, which was sure to cause nothing but chaos.
And I don't deal well with chaos.
So I thought that if I gradually pack away my things, it wouldn't be so stressful when we were told the day before that the builders were coming and everything needed to be out.
But because of this, it has meant that I have been using the same makeup every single day, and I find this really boring.
The building work ended up not happening over the summer and I can't really see it happening in the foreseeable future, and I decided that I was so tired of using the same things over and over again with no variation, I wanted to take everything out.
I literally had so much fun!
I forgot how much make up I have, and it makes me so excited and happy to see it all and use it all again.
This is everything I have been using for months:
This is everything I own:
Ooh, a close up artsy shot:
And this is it when it is all nice and neatly organised!
This is actually a cutlery tray that I think I got for £1.50 from IKEA, and I just think that it is sooo good for oganising my makeup. Even if you have a lot more than I do, you could buy about 10 and put them in your drawers. There are many different types and styles.
But I just think that it's sooo pretty!
I'm kind of insanely proud of this! I've been showing everyone this picture!!!
Top left: Powders - face powders, bronzes, blushes, highlighters (and handbag mirrors)
Top middle: Eyeshadows - single colours and multi colour palettes and eyeshadow primer.
Top right: Eye stuff - mascaras, eyeliners, eyebrow stuff
Bottom left: Face stuff - foundations, concealers, primers
Bottom right: Lips - lipsticks, lip crayons, lip pencils and lip glosses.
I hope that you have enjoyed this little peek into my makeup collection, and if you would like me to go through any of the sections in detail or anything like that, let me know!
See you soon!
See you soon!
Sunday 18 October 2015
One of the best weeks of my life
I just want to say before I start that this post is probably quite frustrating for me to write because in the interest of keeping this blog anonymous, I'll have to change names of places and people. It's going to be hard for you to understand exactly what I am trying to say here because what I'm about to talk about is one of my most precious and special memories ever and I'm not even able to talk about it properly! It will also be quite long, and again, for anonymity reasons I won't be able to include any photos, but please, read it and try to understand the experience that I had.
In the summer, I helped out at a children's Christian holiday club called Guidepost. It was, without a doubt, one of the most life changing weeks of my life and I came out of it, with so much more than I ever ever ever expected to when I went in.
The purpose of it is for children aged between 4 and 12 can come for a fun week of singing and dancing, craft, games, sport and learning about Jesus and God.
I went to it with two friends, Mylie and Greta. At the beginning of the week, I was a sound atheist, completely sure of my beliefs. It didn't matter too much because many of the helpers were atheists as well and as most of us are teenagers, I suppose it is what is expected.
When I got there on the first day (the prep and training on the Sunday before the actual start of the week) I was actually incredibly nervous. It had come to my attention by then that I have pretty mild social anxiety, but I do everything that I can to combat and fight this.
As it turned out, I actually knew quite a lot of people from school and some old friends that I hadn't seen since primary school, and of course I was there with my two amazing friends, Mylie and Greta, both of which helped me out so much throughout the week.
I mentioned earlier that one of the things that we do a lot at Guidepost is sing and dance and I was very nervous about this. I'm a pretty enthusiastic person and I like to throw my all into things and so when I couldn't do the dances properly because I didn't know them, it did upset me. But I'm quite a fast learner and by the end of the week I was doing some pretty awesome actions!
One of the most amazing things and the really individual things I think about Guidepost is that everything is done in tents in a huge field. The age groups all had different tents. The 4s and 5s were in a small tent called the Ark tent (that's where I was!). The 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s were all in the main tent, the 10s and 11s were in the 10s and 11s tent and the 12s were in the 12s tent. I wonder who dreamt that up! There is also the craft tent, the entry tent, the chapel tent, the drama tent, the quiet tent and the comfort tent (which had free biscuits!) There were also some more smaller tents that would take to long to list. By the end of the week I knew the layout like the back of my hand!
On Monday, I was just beginning to learn the dances, learn the songs, get to know the children, get to know everyone else. It was really hard, especially because I find social situations with lots of new people very difficult. On Tuesday, it was slightly easier, but I was still learning. Looking back, I think that Wednesday was a turning point because that was the first day that I went onto the stage to dance with Greta, even though we didn't know the dance! I don't actually remember much about Wednesday, but it was the day that I realised that at Guidepost, no one has any dignity whatsoever, but no one has any shame either. And it was amazing.
Like I said, I was an atheist at the beginning of the week. And by mid-week I had heard the stories told to the 5 year olds, but I had also heard some others. In the evenings at Guidepost, they put on little talks and activities for the helpers and teenagers in general, which were so much fun. We heard an amazing story from a Catholic Priest in training, which brought my friend Greta and I to tears. He said something that was really poignant to me and I'd like to share it with you. Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future. I think that even if you aren't religious at all, everybody can relate just a little bit to that.
I was beginning to feel really at home at Guidepost. Everyone was so lovely and the sense of community was absolutely immense. I was beginning to question my own beliefs. Although I didn't believe in God, I felt like I wanted to, just so that I could be apart of this fantastic community.
Thursday was my least favourite day at Guidepost, but the best day by far. I won't go into details as to why it was my least favourite day, but it was the evening that changed everything for me. I went with my friends like usual to the youth activity and they had invited a theatre group along to perform for us. What they did, it was absolutely outstanding. Once again Greta was brought to tears and I was very close. It was quite a common occurrence for us that week. But then the activity that we did was a Where's Wally treasure hunt around the town. I was in a group with Greta and Mylie, our two group leaders, our fellow assistant that we made friends with and another girl who we became very close to over the week. Most of the people in our group I hadn't known before, and I feel so blessed that I got to know all of them.
On the treasure hunt, I had the best time. I'm so unsporty and whenever I have been on a walk, no matter where I am going, no matter who I am with, there is always a part of me wishing for it to be over. I didn't think that once on this walk. There was one moment, where we were at the top of a hill and we could see the Guidepost field below us and we all decided to run down this hill. And we ran, full pelt. It was a beautiful summer evening, the moon was big and bright the sun was setting, the wind was in our hair... I have never felt as happy, as free, as blessed as I did at that moment.
I'll never be able to describe it properly, but that was the moment that I knew that I wanted to join the faith again.
Friday came and went all too quickly. At the end of the day when the children were all leaving, me and my friends (old and new) all jumped on stage and danced to a song - there wasn't a single doubt or worry for me about how I looked, or whether I was doing it right, or what everyone else thought of me... I was happy. Although, all the children leaving were saying that they couldn't wait for tomorrow, and I had to explain that it was over. It literally broke my heart.
After the final reflect session there was the traditional Guidepost water fight, which was so much fun, despite having a bucket tipped over my head!
In the evening, I went back for my last youth group session and we were at the Oscars. The leader of the youth group had insisted that we all dressed up, and so there we were in posh dresses sitting on the floor of a tent. It was great fun (my team came second in the treasure hunt by one point - just saying!). The best bit was when we all had a gigantic group hug and I was right in the middle of it. Around 50 teenagers who had all been complete strangers all the beginning of the week (and for the most part, still were complete strangers) all huddled together, celebrating Guidepost. Not to sound too cheesy, but that moment and that feeling was infinite. I'll never forget it.
I learnt so much at Guidepost, more than any of the children. I gained confidence, friends, but most of all, I regained my faith and I haven't ever been happier. It was absolutely indescribable.
I will never be able to thank everyone at Guidepost enough. I'll never be able to show them what they did for me. But I pray, right from the bottom of my heart, that they might someday know just what they did for me.
Guidepost changed my life. I wrote down everything that happened so that I wouldn't ever forget any of it. I am so so so grateful, more than words can say.
In the summer, I helped out at a children's Christian holiday club called Guidepost. It was, without a doubt, one of the most life changing weeks of my life and I came out of it, with so much more than I ever ever ever expected to when I went in.
The purpose of it is for children aged between 4 and 12 can come for a fun week of singing and dancing, craft, games, sport and learning about Jesus and God.
I went to it with two friends, Mylie and Greta. At the beginning of the week, I was a sound atheist, completely sure of my beliefs. It didn't matter too much because many of the helpers were atheists as well and as most of us are teenagers, I suppose it is what is expected.
When I got there on the first day (the prep and training on the Sunday before the actual start of the week) I was actually incredibly nervous. It had come to my attention by then that I have pretty mild social anxiety, but I do everything that I can to combat and fight this.
As it turned out, I actually knew quite a lot of people from school and some old friends that I hadn't seen since primary school, and of course I was there with my two amazing friends, Mylie and Greta, both of which helped me out so much throughout the week.
I mentioned earlier that one of the things that we do a lot at Guidepost is sing and dance and I was very nervous about this. I'm a pretty enthusiastic person and I like to throw my all into things and so when I couldn't do the dances properly because I didn't know them, it did upset me. But I'm quite a fast learner and by the end of the week I was doing some pretty awesome actions!
One of the most amazing things and the really individual things I think about Guidepost is that everything is done in tents in a huge field. The age groups all had different tents. The 4s and 5s were in a small tent called the Ark tent (that's where I was!). The 6s, 7s, 8s and 9s were all in the main tent, the 10s and 11s were in the 10s and 11s tent and the 12s were in the 12s tent. I wonder who dreamt that up! There is also the craft tent, the entry tent, the chapel tent, the drama tent, the quiet tent and the comfort tent (which had free biscuits!) There were also some more smaller tents that would take to long to list. By the end of the week I knew the layout like the back of my hand!
On Monday, I was just beginning to learn the dances, learn the songs, get to know the children, get to know everyone else. It was really hard, especially because I find social situations with lots of new people very difficult. On Tuesday, it was slightly easier, but I was still learning. Looking back, I think that Wednesday was a turning point because that was the first day that I went onto the stage to dance with Greta, even though we didn't know the dance! I don't actually remember much about Wednesday, but it was the day that I realised that at Guidepost, no one has any dignity whatsoever, but no one has any shame either. And it was amazing.
Like I said, I was an atheist at the beginning of the week. And by mid-week I had heard the stories told to the 5 year olds, but I had also heard some others. In the evenings at Guidepost, they put on little talks and activities for the helpers and teenagers in general, which were so much fun. We heard an amazing story from a Catholic Priest in training, which brought my friend Greta and I to tears. He said something that was really poignant to me and I'd like to share it with you. Every saint has a past, every sinner has a future. I think that even if you aren't religious at all, everybody can relate just a little bit to that.
I was beginning to feel really at home at Guidepost. Everyone was so lovely and the sense of community was absolutely immense. I was beginning to question my own beliefs. Although I didn't believe in God, I felt like I wanted to, just so that I could be apart of this fantastic community.
Thursday was my least favourite day at Guidepost, but the best day by far. I won't go into details as to why it was my least favourite day, but it was the evening that changed everything for me. I went with my friends like usual to the youth activity and they had invited a theatre group along to perform for us. What they did, it was absolutely outstanding. Once again Greta was brought to tears and I was very close. It was quite a common occurrence for us that week. But then the activity that we did was a Where's Wally treasure hunt around the town. I was in a group with Greta and Mylie, our two group leaders, our fellow assistant that we made friends with and another girl who we became very close to over the week. Most of the people in our group I hadn't known before, and I feel so blessed that I got to know all of them.
On the treasure hunt, I had the best time. I'm so unsporty and whenever I have been on a walk, no matter where I am going, no matter who I am with, there is always a part of me wishing for it to be over. I didn't think that once on this walk. There was one moment, where we were at the top of a hill and we could see the Guidepost field below us and we all decided to run down this hill. And we ran, full pelt. It was a beautiful summer evening, the moon was big and bright the sun was setting, the wind was in our hair... I have never felt as happy, as free, as blessed as I did at that moment.
I'll never be able to describe it properly, but that was the moment that I knew that I wanted to join the faith again.
Friday came and went all too quickly. At the end of the day when the children were all leaving, me and my friends (old and new) all jumped on stage and danced to a song - there wasn't a single doubt or worry for me about how I looked, or whether I was doing it right, or what everyone else thought of me... I was happy. Although, all the children leaving were saying that they couldn't wait for tomorrow, and I had to explain that it was over. It literally broke my heart.
After the final reflect session there was the traditional Guidepost water fight, which was so much fun, despite having a bucket tipped over my head!
In the evening, I went back for my last youth group session and we were at the Oscars. The leader of the youth group had insisted that we all dressed up, and so there we were in posh dresses sitting on the floor of a tent. It was great fun (my team came second in the treasure hunt by one point - just saying!). The best bit was when we all had a gigantic group hug and I was right in the middle of it. Around 50 teenagers who had all been complete strangers all the beginning of the week (and for the most part, still were complete strangers) all huddled together, celebrating Guidepost. Not to sound too cheesy, but that moment and that feeling was infinite. I'll never forget it.
I learnt so much at Guidepost, more than any of the children. I gained confidence, friends, but most of all, I regained my faith and I haven't ever been happier. It was absolutely indescribable.
I will never be able to thank everyone at Guidepost enough. I'll never be able to show them what they did for me. But I pray, right from the bottom of my heart, that they might someday know just what they did for me.
Guidepost changed my life. I wrote down everything that happened so that I wouldn't ever forget any of it. I am so so so grateful, more than words can say.
Saturday 17 October 2015
My thoughts on: PINTEREST
For anybody who doesn't know, Pinterest is a website and an app that allows you to research and save pictures of ideas or inspiration or of pretty much anything.
And I love it soooooooooo much!
I cannot tell you how much time I spend on it a day, but trust me, it's quite a bit!
The basic concept of it is that you create virtual corkboards or something like that, and you then pin things to it. It can be a pretty picture or it can be something that links to a website because all of the pictures on Pinterest have come from websites.
So you may have a picture of a knitted cardigan and if you click on it, it will take you to the website where you may be able to download or buy the knitting pattern.
And it has everything.
I'm not kidding, anything that you could ever want a picture of is on there.
Seriously, I have a board with 123 pins just on unicorns.
That's right. Unicorns.
(And if you tell me to grow up, you are never allowed to ride my unicorn.)
In total, I have 28 boards of things that I love and am interested in, ranging from DIYs to clothes to interior design to makeup and beauty to quotes to weddings to unicorns.
See how I slipped that in there again.
And not to brag or anything (although I am insanely proud of this) I currently have 2475 pins in total. As it turns out, 2475 is actually a really big number.
However, I don't actually go on Pinterest every single day, I kind of go through phases where I will be on it all day and then not go on it for a week, but I love it so much. All of my pins make me so happy and bring a smile to my face every time I see them. It makes me want to have all 28 of my boards up in my room with my 2475 (smug emoji!) pins on them. I want to get out of bed everyday and look around and just see a room full of happiness.
I have had my Pinterest account for several years now, and although a few boards have come and gone with my various interests, I still have all my old pins. I love looking through my very first few pins, such a walk down memory lane! If anything, they make me happier then all of the rest because they are the most special and the ones that I chose first of all. My very first board is actually private now, but I'll let you know that it was a board devoted to homemade dolls houses!
One of my favourite things about Pinterest is that it has introduced me to new hobbies as well as developing the old ones. I am so so so bad at photography (as you might've noticed from this blog!) and I just don't really understand it. But when I'm on Pinterest, practically swimming in an ocean of beautiful photographs and amazing works of art, it doesn't matter that I don't understand it. It's not meant to be understood. I can appreciate the glory of it and it inspires me incredibly. And, I think that that is all that matters. (Quite a lot of 'that' s in one sentence!)
I can't explain it particularly. It's like this blog - a little piece of the internet that is just there to try and make people happy.
So, I would really suggest that you go and check out Pinterest if you haven't already. You never know what you might find!
My Pinterest account, if you were interested:
https://uk.pinterest.com/Gabriellahope25/
And I love it soooooooooo much!
I cannot tell you how much time I spend on it a day, but trust me, it's quite a bit!
The basic concept of it is that you create virtual corkboards or something like that, and you then pin things to it. It can be a pretty picture or it can be something that links to a website because all of the pictures on Pinterest have come from websites.
So you may have a picture of a knitted cardigan and if you click on it, it will take you to the website where you may be able to download or buy the knitting pattern.
And it has everything.
I'm not kidding, anything that you could ever want a picture of is on there.
Seriously, I have a board with 123 pins just on unicorns.
That's right. Unicorns.
(And if you tell me to grow up, you are never allowed to ride my unicorn.)
In total, I have 28 boards of things that I love and am interested in, ranging from DIYs to clothes to interior design to makeup and beauty to quotes to weddings to unicorns.
See how I slipped that in there again.
And not to brag or anything (although I am insanely proud of this) I currently have 2475 pins in total. As it turns out, 2475 is actually a really big number.
However, I don't actually go on Pinterest every single day, I kind of go through phases where I will be on it all day and then not go on it for a week, but I love it so much. All of my pins make me so happy and bring a smile to my face every time I see them. It makes me want to have all 28 of my boards up in my room with my 2475 (smug emoji!) pins on them. I want to get out of bed everyday and look around and just see a room full of happiness.
I have had my Pinterest account for several years now, and although a few boards have come and gone with my various interests, I still have all my old pins. I love looking through my very first few pins, such a walk down memory lane! If anything, they make me happier then all of the rest because they are the most special and the ones that I chose first of all. My very first board is actually private now, but I'll let you know that it was a board devoted to homemade dolls houses!
One of my favourite things about Pinterest is that it has introduced me to new hobbies as well as developing the old ones. I am so so so bad at photography (as you might've noticed from this blog!) and I just don't really understand it. But when I'm on Pinterest, practically swimming in an ocean of beautiful photographs and amazing works of art, it doesn't matter that I don't understand it. It's not meant to be understood. I can appreciate the glory of it and it inspires me incredibly. And, I think that that is all that matters. (Quite a lot of 'that' s in one sentence!)
I can't explain it particularly. It's like this blog - a little piece of the internet that is just there to try and make people happy.
So, I would really suggest that you go and check out Pinterest if you haven't already. You never know what you might find!
My Pinterest account, if you were interested:
https://uk.pinterest.com/Gabriellahope25/
Friday 16 October 2015
Being Late
Yay and woohoo, it's time for ranty Friday!
Today I am going to be talking about something that really annoys me, and that is being late.
I literally cannot stand it.
Whether it is me or someone else, it just drives me completely insane!
Now I consider myself slightly OCD in some aspects of life (but not cleanliness!) I have certain rituals and a certain schedule which I must stick too, otherwise it drives me a little mad. For example, every single morning, I have to leave the house to get to my bus stop at precisely 7:52. It is the perfect time. I have spent many years perfecting it, so that I know when to leave so that I don't have to rush, but I won't be waiting long. And if anything tries to disrupt my leaving the house at 7:52, it leaves me very unhappy and agitated.
Another ritual thing that I have to do is when I'm in the shower. I have quite a lot of hair that takes quite a while to wash and one of my absolute least favourite things is when you get out and discover that you haven't washed all the conditioner out. So, after I have finished washing my hair, and I am sure that everything is out, I have to stand under the water for 60 more seconds, just to make sure. But here is the thing. Our shower takes 5 seconds for the water to shut off (again something that I have calculated over many years) and so I count in my head until 55, and then turn the shower off, so that I'm not in there for a second longer.
You probably can't really understand these things. You might think I'm crazy. I just think I'm quirky.
But both of these things (and many more) revolve around being a late phobic. I just hate hate hate being late. I can't explain why, but it almost feels like it is because it is a broken promise or something. You SAID that you would be there, and you FAILED.
But that may be slightly extreme.
And come on, we've all had those times where we have been waiting for someone to arrive or for something to happen.
And we've kept on waiting.
And waiting.
Until, finally, they arrive! Then, they say 'Oh, am I late?'
And you're like.... just a bit (that was sarcasm by the way!)
It's so infuriating and I feel like it really can spoil the start of something, like a fun day out with a friend.
And of course, if you're late to work, or to a big meeting then that can have disastrous impacts!
Or, if you're like me and you have to catch a bus or get to school, then by not being late, you're really just making your life a lot easier.
However, as I type this, I realise that I am being slightly hypocritical. This post is meant to go up in 10 minutes, and although I'm pretty sure that I'll get it up on time, the possibility of it being late is making me very stressed!
So, if you don't like it when you, or someone else is late I hope you can relate! If you're someone who is often late to things, I hope that I taught you something, and if you love ranty Fridays as much as I do, then make sure you are here next week!
See you soon!
Today I am going to be talking about something that really annoys me, and that is being late.
I literally cannot stand it.
Whether it is me or someone else, it just drives me completely insane!
Now I consider myself slightly OCD in some aspects of life (but not cleanliness!) I have certain rituals and a certain schedule which I must stick too, otherwise it drives me a little mad. For example, every single morning, I have to leave the house to get to my bus stop at precisely 7:52. It is the perfect time. I have spent many years perfecting it, so that I know when to leave so that I don't have to rush, but I won't be waiting long. And if anything tries to disrupt my leaving the house at 7:52, it leaves me very unhappy and agitated.
Another ritual thing that I have to do is when I'm in the shower. I have quite a lot of hair that takes quite a while to wash and one of my absolute least favourite things is when you get out and discover that you haven't washed all the conditioner out. So, after I have finished washing my hair, and I am sure that everything is out, I have to stand under the water for 60 more seconds, just to make sure. But here is the thing. Our shower takes 5 seconds for the water to shut off (again something that I have calculated over many years) and so I count in my head until 55, and then turn the shower off, so that I'm not in there for a second longer.
You probably can't really understand these things. You might think I'm crazy. I just think I'm quirky.
But both of these things (and many more) revolve around being a late phobic. I just hate hate hate being late. I can't explain why, but it almost feels like it is because it is a broken promise or something. You SAID that you would be there, and you FAILED.
But that may be slightly extreme.
And come on, we've all had those times where we have been waiting for someone to arrive or for something to happen.
And we've kept on waiting.
And waiting.
Until, finally, they arrive! Then, they say 'Oh, am I late?'
And you're like.... just a bit (that was sarcasm by the way!)
It's so infuriating and I feel like it really can spoil the start of something, like a fun day out with a friend.
And of course, if you're late to work, or to a big meeting then that can have disastrous impacts!
Or, if you're like me and you have to catch a bus or get to school, then by not being late, you're really just making your life a lot easier.
However, as I type this, I realise that I am being slightly hypocritical. This post is meant to go up in 10 minutes, and although I'm pretty sure that I'll get it up on time, the possibility of it being late is making me very stressed!
So, if you don't like it when you, or someone else is late I hope you can relate! If you're someone who is often late to things, I hope that I taught you something, and if you love ranty Fridays as much as I do, then make sure you are here next week!
See you soon!
Thursday 15 October 2015
Superdrug Damaged Product Haul
At the back of my Superdrug, there is a little stand which is where I buy about 90% of my makeup.
It's the damaged product stand!
You can find things there cut down so much and very often they only have the slightest little thing that is wrong with them.
So, the other week I was in there and I bought a few things, and all looked really good and were so much cheaper than they would be normally!
The first thing that I bought (after I had fun trying to get all of the tape and stickers off) was Revlon's Colourstay foundation that is normally £12.99, and was cut down to £4! I have inspected it very carefully, and I can safely say that there is absolutely nothing wrong with the bottle, lid or the product inside. I was really looking forward to trying this foundation, but because I didn't have much (or no) choice over the colour, it is a couple of shades too dark for me. It is a shame, but I'm very proud of my great bargain, so I'm saving it for next summer when I should hopefully be slightly more tanned! Hopefully!
The next thing that I bought, I have actually been using a lot. It is a Maybelline Colour-sensational lipstick, in the colour 842, Rosewood Pearl. I don't know how exactly to describe it, but it is a fairly translucent nude with a beautiful pearly pink sheen to it. And I LOVE it! I have been wearing it pretty much everyday! It was cut down from £8.99 (I think) to £2.50 because the actual lipstick had a slight dent in it. I've never tried any Maybelline lipsticks before at all, and so far I quite like it. I think I might get another one in a slightly stronger colour just to compare. But, it has to be one of my all time favourite damaged product purchases!
The next thing that I bought was a Barry M Waterproof Gel Eyeliner that I think was £5.49, cut down to £2. I don't actually wear a huge amount of eyeliner, and I've never tried gel eyeliner before, so I am proceeding with caution. I can't tell particularly, but I think that it is missing some of it's substance or something, but other than that I cannot tell why it is in the damaged product classification. I'm excited to start to wear this, but I will need a little practise in the art of gel eyelinering!
The last thing that I bought from the damaged product section, that I haven't tried out yet and I'm not completely sure about is the Collection, Work the Colour Eyeshadow Pencil. I don't wear much of Collection because I'm always a little wary about it, and I haven't really had an opportunity where it would be appropriate to wear it yet but I see one coming this weekend and so I'll let you know what I think after that! I can't remember the original price, but I know that I got it for £1, and it was a bit disgusting with stuff smeared all over it at first, but after clearing it up, it was good as new!
Two other things that I got from Superdrug at the same time (although admittedly weren't on the damage product stand) were the Simple, Triple Action, Spotless Skin Face Wash and the Simple Micellear water, both of which I am loving so far!
So, if you weren't aware about the existence the amazing thing that is a damaged product stand, then I encourage you to have a little looksee for one. They are usually at the back of the store, tucked into a corner and are bright yellow. They can hold anything that can get damaged in the store, but be careful! Never ever ever buy an aerosol of any sort (be it hairspray, body moisturiser, deodorant) because if it has lost it's nozzle, it WILL NOT WORK! Bet you can figure out how I learnt that!
So, I hope you enjoyed this slightly different sort of post, I did! I'm very excited about all of my new things and I really do encourage you to find a damaged product stall in your Superdrug because you just never know what you're going to find!
See you soon!
Wednesday 14 October 2015
Possibly the most shocked I have ever been
Not very long ago, I wrote a post about the books I read growing up, in which I mentioned the rainbow magic fairy books.
Now, I have one friend who faithfully reads my blog everyday (let's call her Karina) and she came into school the next day and talked to me about it.
And then she asked: what are the rainbow magic books?
...
............
I mean, seriously?
How could anybody ever in the whole entire universe not know the rainbow magic series?!?
When I was little, it was almost like a competition. You were always competing with your friends over who had the most and who had read the newest one and who had one named after them.
Every single book shop you go into, there is a whole wall devoted to rainbow magic.
Granted, Karina isn't the most girly girl in the world, but how could that whole essential part of childhood just have been skipped?
I'm very sorry, it sounds like I'm getting at my friend here, and I promise that I'm not, but I was just so so so surprised.
I asked around all of my friends, and every single one of the had read them.
I went to lots of other girls and even the most tomboyish tomboys had read or at least heard of them.
I just couldn't believe that something that is that widely known amongst pretty much everyone could completely have skipped Karina.
I don't even own them anymore so I can't lend her one! (Much to her obvious disappointment!)
So, Karina, as you are pretty the only person whose ever going to read this ever, I think you know what your next birthday present will be! And please don't stop reading my blog! I love you really, even though I'm slightly disgusted!
I'm sorry that this has been a short one, I've been quite busy recently, but I've got some good posts planned!
See you soon!
Now, I have one friend who faithfully reads my blog everyday (let's call her Karina) and she came into school the next day and talked to me about it.
And then she asked: what are the rainbow magic books?
...
............
I mean, seriously?
How could anybody ever in the whole entire universe not know the rainbow magic series?!?
When I was little, it was almost like a competition. You were always competing with your friends over who had the most and who had read the newest one and who had one named after them.
Every single book shop you go into, there is a whole wall devoted to rainbow magic.
Granted, Karina isn't the most girly girl in the world, but how could that whole essential part of childhood just have been skipped?
I'm very sorry, it sounds like I'm getting at my friend here, and I promise that I'm not, but I was just so so so surprised.
I asked around all of my friends, and every single one of the had read them.
I went to lots of other girls and even the most tomboyish tomboys had read or at least heard of them.
I just couldn't believe that something that is that widely known amongst pretty much everyone could completely have skipped Karina.
I don't even own them anymore so I can't lend her one! (Much to her obvious disappointment!)
So, Karina, as you are pretty the only person whose ever going to read this ever, I think you know what your next birthday present will be! And please don't stop reading my blog! I love you really, even though I'm slightly disgusted!
I'm sorry that this has been a short one, I've been quite busy recently, but I've got some good posts planned!
See you soon!
Tuesday 13 October 2015
School hymns
The other day I was sitting in the art room with my friend at lunch (escaping the cold and rain!) and I got a song stuck in my head. At first, I was like: where did this come from, it's so random, I've never heard it before. But then I remembered that I used to sing it in school.
I went to a Church of England primary school and every day in assembly, we would sing hymns.
Since I've gone to secondary school, I've actually really missed it!
So when I had this hymn stuck in my head it was completely out of the blue, but it made me begin to reminisce about all the songs that I haven't sung in years.
The one that I had stuck in my head is actually called Autumn Days (nice how things work out seasonally isn't it?) and although I could only remember about two lines of it, after looking it up (yes, I actually did that) I have been singing the entirety of the song, much to my friends pleasure, all day every day.
Now of course, one of the best known amongst primary school children and one of my personal favourites is the Easter hymn (not quite as seasonally appropriate) Lord of the Dance.
It was always one of my favourites because it's quite happy and bouncy and even though it isn't always telling a happy story, especially in verses 3 and 4, it still manages to convey it the severity of what happened while singing quite a jubilant and light-hearted song.
The next one, which I don't actually think is a hymn because quite a lot of my friends (who didn't go to C of E schools) knew it and we all had a little sing song despite none of us knowing the words! It's a special harvest one (so sort of seasonally appropriate) and is called Cauliflowers Fluffy.
Tuesday seems to be turning into a bit of a reminiscing day doesn't it? I promise I don't mean it to be, it's just how the days have fallen!
I went to a Church of England primary school and every day in assembly, we would sing hymns.
And I loved those hymns. Even by the time I got to year six and it was no longer cool, and you just had to stand there looking bored, I still had a great time, belting it out and having my own little boogie.
So when I had this hymn stuck in my head it was completely out of the blue, but it made me begin to reminisce about all the songs that I haven't sung in years.
The one that I had stuck in my head is actually called Autumn Days (nice how things work out seasonally isn't it?) and although I could only remember about two lines of it, after looking it up (yes, I actually did that) I have been singing the entirety of the song, much to my friends pleasure, all day every day.
Autumn days when the grass is jewelled
And the silk inside a chestnut shell.
Jetplanes meeting in the air to be refuelled.
All these thing I love so well
So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget.
To say a great big
Thank You
I mustn't forget
That is just the first verse and the chorus, but do any of you know it?And the silk inside a chestnut shell.
Jetplanes meeting in the air to be refuelled.
All these thing I love so well
So I mustn't forget
No, I mustn't forget.
To say a great big
Thank You
I mustn't forget
Now of course, one of the best known amongst primary school children and one of my personal favourites is the Easter hymn (not quite as seasonally appropriate) Lord of the Dance.
I danced in the morning when the world was begun
I danced in the Moon & the Stars & the Sun
I came down from Heaven & I danced on Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth:Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
I danced in the Moon & the Stars & the Sun
I came down from Heaven & I danced on Earth
At Bethlehem I had my birth:Dance then, wherever you may be
I am the Lord of the Dance, said He!
And I'll lead you all, wherever you may be
And I'll lead you all in the Dance, said He!
Again, I've just got the first verse and the chorus here, but I am VERY proud of the fact that I still remember all of the words to all of the verses. That's right. Impressed?
It was always one of my favourites because it's quite happy and bouncy and even though it isn't always telling a happy story, especially in verses 3 and 4, it still manages to convey it the severity of what happened while singing quite a jubilant and light-hearted song.
The next one, which I don't actually think is a hymn because quite a lot of my friends (who didn't go to C of E schools) knew it and we all had a little sing song despite none of us knowing the words! It's a special harvest one (so sort of seasonally appropriate) and is called Cauliflowers Fluffy.
Cauliflowers fluffy and cabbages green,
Strawberries sweeter than any I’ve seen.
Beetroot purple and onions white,
All grow steadily day and night.
The apples are ripe,
and the plums are red,
The broadbeans are sleeping in the blankety bed.
In myschool, when you had your year 6 leavers service you (as a class) got to choose what songs to sing in the service. Everyone always wanted to sing Cauliflowers Fluffy. I don't know why, but it is just such a great song. However, they wouldn't let us sing it because apparently it was right for the time of year. (But then, we had to sing another Easter song, and I have always wondered why, considering the next harvest was a lot closer than the next Easter!)
The last song that I want to talk about is another Easter one, called I'm Special. This one always meant a lot to me, because I remember singing it when I was very young and just really feeling and understanding the meaning of it. It's a really beautiful hymn, that I still remember the words to!
I'm special because God has loved me
For He gave the best thing that He had to save me
His own Son Jesus, crucified to take the blame
For all the bad things I have done
Thank You Jesus, thank You Lord
For loving me so much
I know I don't deserve anything
Help me feel Your love right now
To know deep in my heart
That I'm Your special friend
For He gave the best thing that He had to save me
His own Son Jesus, crucified to take the blame
For all the bad things I have done
Thank You Jesus, thank You Lord
For loving me so much
I know I don't deserve anything
Help me feel Your love right now
To know deep in my heart
That I'm Your special friend
So there we have it, just a few of the hundreds of hymns that I sung in primary school! I do actually really miss them, but they just wouldn't work in secondary schools.
Tuesday seems to be turning into a bit of a reminiscing day doesn't it? I promise I don't mean it to be, it's just how the days have fallen!
See you soooooon!
Monday 12 October 2015
When you feel a bit down
You know those moods where everything is annoying and anything that anybody says to you is wrong and you just feel a bit down and fed up?
I'm in one of those now.
Nothing bad has happened today, on the contrary, it has been a nice day, with good weather and I got quite a lot in and so I should be feeling satisfied and content, but instead I just feel wiped out and irate (is that the right word to use?) I can't say that it is one particular thing that has made me feel like this, but I think that everybody is allowed to be down sometimes. It's just human nature and who we are.
But I don't like feeling like this, and I want to cheer myself up, so I thought that we could do it together. I have a few things that I like to do to try and perk me up a bit.
The first is my positivity journal. I started it a while ago (and even though I actually haven't done it in a while, I think it is a really good idea). The basic concept is that at the end of the day you write down three good things that happened to you. It could be something like winning gold at the Olympics, or something really small like that joke your friend told you that made you smile. I write all these things down in a really nice marbled notebook and it makes me feel happy to know that all these good things are in their, ready for me to read if I need a refresh positivity.
Similarly to my positivity journal is my Reasons to Smile list. At the back of my homework diary where we have some notes pages I write down anything that makes me laugh or that is a happy memory in school and with my friends. Even though we're only a few weeks into the term I have almost filled an entire page of happy memories that I probably would've forgotten otherwise. I love the idea that in years to come I might look back on it and have a little giggle about the time Izzy got stuck behind the door (I don't actually have a friend called Izzy, but one of my friends did get stuck behind a door!).
Just thinking and writing about these two things has made me feel so much better already, and that leads me on to my next point. Although I haven't been doing it for very long, I absolutely love writing my blog! It's a little space of happiness on the internet where it is just me being totally me. When I started to write this I didn't really want to, I thought that it might not go the way I wanted it to and I'd end up getting frustrated and annoyed and having a right old paddy. But I didn't. I just started to write and it made me feel better. I love the fact that I can just start typing, with no idea as to where I'm going and it will just come out and be (sort of) ok! It's a hobby and I love it!
And that leads me on to my next point (nice how things work out isn't it!) Hobby's and things that you do for fun and enjoyment play such a huge part in your mood. I do dancing in the evening once a week and before I'm always quite grumpy or tired, but afterwards I'm like a totally different person, happy and relaxed and ready to enjoy the rest of the evening. Exercise is amazing for making you feel like that, but if you're anything like me than that is normally a BIG no no! I personally love music and so listening to a few good 'uns and having your own little boogie in your room can really do you a world of good. Anything else you love to do, like I love to sew, can relax you and just make you happier and more positive.
Something else that will ALWAYS cheer me up is just chatting to my friends. They always know how to say the right things to make me feel better and it is true that friends are the family you choose for yourself.
And even if everything that I've suggested doesn't work and you still feel like you just want to curl up in bed then that's ok. Seriously, it's unnatural NOT to feel down occasionally, as long as it doesn't turn into something more than just the occasional blip.
So, now I'm cheered up and hope you are too, I can bid you adieu! (Got to end on a rhyme, carry on the joy until next time! I literally cannot stop!)
I'm in one of those now.
Nothing bad has happened today, on the contrary, it has been a nice day, with good weather and I got quite a lot in and so I should be feeling satisfied and content, but instead I just feel wiped out and irate (is that the right word to use?) I can't say that it is one particular thing that has made me feel like this, but I think that everybody is allowed to be down sometimes. It's just human nature and who we are.
But I don't like feeling like this, and I want to cheer myself up, so I thought that we could do it together. I have a few things that I like to do to try and perk me up a bit.
The first is my positivity journal. I started it a while ago (and even though I actually haven't done it in a while, I think it is a really good idea). The basic concept is that at the end of the day you write down three good things that happened to you. It could be something like winning gold at the Olympics, or something really small like that joke your friend told you that made you smile. I write all these things down in a really nice marbled notebook and it makes me feel happy to know that all these good things are in their, ready for me to read if I need a refresh positivity.
Similarly to my positivity journal is my Reasons to Smile list. At the back of my homework diary where we have some notes pages I write down anything that makes me laugh or that is a happy memory in school and with my friends. Even though we're only a few weeks into the term I have almost filled an entire page of happy memories that I probably would've forgotten otherwise. I love the idea that in years to come I might look back on it and have a little giggle about the time Izzy got stuck behind the door (I don't actually have a friend called Izzy, but one of my friends did get stuck behind a door!).
Just thinking and writing about these two things has made me feel so much better already, and that leads me on to my next point. Although I haven't been doing it for very long, I absolutely love writing my blog! It's a little space of happiness on the internet where it is just me being totally me. When I started to write this I didn't really want to, I thought that it might not go the way I wanted it to and I'd end up getting frustrated and annoyed and having a right old paddy. But I didn't. I just started to write and it made me feel better. I love the fact that I can just start typing, with no idea as to where I'm going and it will just come out and be (sort of) ok! It's a hobby and I love it!
And that leads me on to my next point (nice how things work out isn't it!) Hobby's and things that you do for fun and enjoyment play such a huge part in your mood. I do dancing in the evening once a week and before I'm always quite grumpy or tired, but afterwards I'm like a totally different person, happy and relaxed and ready to enjoy the rest of the evening. Exercise is amazing for making you feel like that, but if you're anything like me than that is normally a BIG no no! I personally love music and so listening to a few good 'uns and having your own little boogie in your room can really do you a world of good. Anything else you love to do, like I love to sew, can relax you and just make you happier and more positive.
Something else that will ALWAYS cheer me up is just chatting to my friends. They always know how to say the right things to make me feel better and it is true that friends are the family you choose for yourself.
And even if everything that I've suggested doesn't work and you still feel like you just want to curl up in bed then that's ok. Seriously, it's unnatural NOT to feel down occasionally, as long as it doesn't turn into something more than just the occasional blip.
So, now I'm cheered up and hope you are too, I can bid you adieu! (Got to end on a rhyme, carry on the joy until next time! I literally cannot stop!)
Sunday 11 October 2015
First Onsie Wear This Winter!
A couple of evenings ago, I was a little chilly and I just felt in need of some comfort.
So, I decided to get my onsie's down from the shelf in my wardrobe where they have been hibernating all summer (and yes, that is onesie's, as in the plural) and put one on.
And I can't let such a tremendous occasion such as my first onsie wear of the winter just be ignored on my blog, can I?
I cannot tell you how much I love onsies. Even though it isn't really as much of a thing anymore as it was a few years ago, I don't care. I will be wearing onsies until the day that I die.
I have three onsies, but possibly my favourite is my Spyro the dragon onsie:
So, I decided to get my onsie's down from the shelf in my wardrobe where they have been hibernating all summer (and yes, that is onesie's, as in the plural) and put one on.
And I can't let such a tremendous occasion such as my first onsie wear of the winter just be ignored on my blog, can I?
I cannot tell you how much I love onsies. Even though it isn't really as much of a thing anymore as it was a few years ago, I don't care. I will be wearing onsies until the day that I die.
I have three onsies, but possibly my favourite is my Spyro the dragon onsie:
This was actually one of my first times using Photoshop - sorry it's not great!
This onsie actually holds some really special memories for me.
I bought this off ebay for my photo-shoot birthday party where one of the categories was onsies. I remember just having fun with my friends, and it was a really happy time. The other happy memory that this onsie has brought me is when I wore it to school. Mad I know, but you do need a bit of context. It was a mufti day and my school house was raising money for a charity with a fun run, and so myself and two friends decided to come in and spend the day in our onsies, and run the fun run, in our onsies. It was incredible, but I think we might have earned reputations that day!
I love it because it has a hood which has horns and eyes and teeth and then it has a tail and wings and spikes all over its back. The only thing that it doesn't have is feet, but my other two have feet and so I think that it's nice to have one without feet. It certainly made it easier when I wore it to school!
To say that it is fabulous would be a colossal understatement, because, it is so much more than just mere fabulous. It is the thing upon which dreams are constructed!
I love all my onsies and I love all the things that come with them. I love slippers and hot chocolate and snuggling up by the fire... there is just something slightly magical about it. And although I have three, this year I would really like to treat myself to another because they bring me so much happiness and excitement.
So, that is my little piece of joy at the moment, and you clearly have to hear about it too!
See you soon!
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