BIRTHDAY || Why I don't like birthdays (2014)

Ok, so I'm not saying I don't like all birthdays, before I start a twitter war. I just really hated my birthday this year.

I hate birthdays, not all birthdays, just those birthdays when you're getting older. Why? Because you get your hopes up, you get excited, other people get excited and then on the day you get disappointment, everyone just gives you cards with money in, no presents. I woke up this morning and it didn't even feel like my birthday, no cake, no presents, no family/parents, after speaking to my mum last night we're not doing anything to celebrate this evening and to be completely honest it feels crap, I got so upset, I actually considered going out and buying my own presents and wrapping them myself but it wouldn't be the same, plus there's nothing I REALLY want right now. The only friend I may be celebrating with is in university and is suffering with tonsillitis at the moment so that might not even happen either. And that is why I don't like birthdays, it's like being paid for doing nothing. So instead of celebrating my birthday I will be cwtched up in bed with my cat like I have been every other day this week watching crap tv and doing nothing. 


So, now that I've moaned a lot about how bad this years birthday was I want to highlight one of my best birthdays; my eighteenth birthday. Now I know you're expecting me to say say ''because I got drunk and went out clubbing'' but that's not what I did. I chose a cute little pub style restaurant that none of my family had ever heard of and we ALL went there to celebrate my eighteenth. We had THE BEST night together, my mums father and my dads side of the family got to know eachother, everyone had a few drinks and a nice time and it was so relaxed and perfect. I couldn't have spent it in a better way. 

Here's some photos of my birthday, it wasn't all bad...

*I hope this post is taken the right way and that you see where I'm coming from, I'm not ungrateful for the money I've been given, I'm very grateful, but next year I'll be organising my birthday concentrating on celebrating with family.

UPDATE: I went to stay with my friend in uni, it was so nice to see her but I really didn't enjoy the 'clubbing' experience so we ended up back at her flat at 2am eating Dominios and watching 21 Jump Street which was much better.

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SPEED AWARENESS COURSE

Just under two months ago I received a letter in the post, I love getting letters addressed to me and I opened it noticing who it was from....South Wales police. The contents of the letter was basic, I'd been driving 9mph over the speed limit a week or so before when I was dropping one of the guys in college off. I replied to the letter confirming that I was the driver of the vehicle and I later got a letter with the option of three points on my license OR take a speed awareness test. You can guess which one I chose...

I chose to do this workshop instead of having three points on my license, the course cost £85, that's £15 pound less than the fine and my conviction for speeding is terminated after I've completed the course. The instructions I was given after booking the course was to turn up 15 minutes earlier to sign in with my driving license and another form of I.D, once signed it I was directed to a room upstairs which was set up like a classroom with a PowerPoint and a flipchart, we were all given little booklets and name plates (above).

We started off with a small quiz, with questions on speed limits, stopping times etc,
So we were left for a few minutes to complete the quiz (we weren't marked on this). The rest of the four hours were spent listening, making notes and doing little practical activities in groups. It was more like a lesson than a course. The people giving the course were called Barbara and Adam and they were fantastic and made it as interactive and fun as possible it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be and I learned quite a lot. I was in a class with around 25-30 other people from the ages of 18 up to 65 but Barbara informed us that a man as old as 93 had taken the course in the past. Everyone took the course pretty seriously and there was a nice atmosphere.

They ended the course showing us THIS advert from TV, I'd seen it a couple of times before but this time I think was different. It moved us all a lot more because I think we realised that could of been any of us driving a car at speed and killing someone.

If you're going to attend this course I suggest eating a big breakfast as lunch isn't provided and you get two breaks, one for ten minutes to have a cup of tea or coffee and another for two minutes to stretch your legs.

I'm actually really glad I attended the course because I've learnt a lot of things and I'll be sure to keep an eye on my speed in future.

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MEET NEW BLOGGER || Little World Of Rachel

Hello sweets,
It's my pleasure to introduce you guys to Rachel from Little World of Rachel. She's fourteen years old and a lifestyle blogger. 

Here's a short interview with Rachel herself...

1. Why did you start blogging and when?
I started blogging mainly because my friend Taylor started one and she encouraged me to make one as well and i have really enjoyed it so far. I started blogging on the 17th of september 2014 so i have only been blogging for just over a month.

2. Why should people read your blog?

People should read my blog because they enjoy it, can relate to me and have similar interests.

3. Where do you see your life in 5 years time?

Well in 5 years time I will be 19 so I hope I will be in university hopefully studying something to do with medicine. Also I hope to still be blogging.

4. What are 5 things you want to do in your life?

Five things... Get a dog because i have always wanted one, move into my own home, fall in love, dont loose contacts with friends and most of all be happy.

5. What's the craziest thing you've ever done?

The craziest thing i have ever done is zorbing! Me and my friend were inside a huge inflatable ball and then pushed down a hill! It was sooo amazing and i really want to do it again!

6. What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my mam because she just recently finished the open university, passed and earned a degree.

7. What's one product you'd buy if you had the money?

I would definatly buy the new urban decay box with all of the pallets in.

8. Who's your favourite blogger/youtuber/vlogger?

My favourite blogger is Niomi Smart, I also love her YouTube videos and I aspire to be like her.

9. What's your favourite brand?

 My favorite brand would be to be either natural collection or MUA.

10. Link to your proudest blog post..

My proudest post is my OOTD // Autunm Look

Rachel x

So this is just the beginning, for five weeks every Monday, myself and Rachel will be working together on other posts! I hope you've enjoyed meeting Rachel and I hope you'll check out her blog and show your support! 

Blogger Meet Up || #CDFBLOGGERSTEA

On the morning of Sunday the 26th of October I headed down to Cardiff on the train to attend my first blogger meet up at Pettigrew Tea Rooms. I don't visit Cardiff often and managed to get myself lost, my phone battery died and I was half hour early walking around Cardiff in search of Pettigrew Tea Rooms, which I eventually found. First impression? Totally cute, like it's small, cosy but it's got a really nice old atmosphere around it. As one of the first to arrive I was quite happy to chat to the other few people who were there and get to know them and their blogs, whilst admiring the sweet way in which the tables were decorated with pretty floral tea cups.

Eventually everyone poured in and I saw some familiar faces, but mostly unfamiliar and unfortunately due to how shy I was, combined with tired it was difficult to socialise with those who weren't on the same table as me.

We saw the menus for tea and since I hadn't eaten breakfast or drank anything since I'd woken up I was gasping for a cup of tea by twelve and I chose the Breakfast Blend, which was absolutely delicious! I drank a whole pot of tea to myself! And then, the cakes came out....

Now these were scrumptious, I tried every single one and I could have eaten all of them all over again, even the ones I don't usually like, like Bara brith I really enjoyed. Everyone got to try everything once, and I think most of us were really full by the end. I really enjoyed chatting to everyone and then 2 pm came and we had to leave but not before Laura, Gemma and Chantele had handed out goody bags filled with these fantastic items. Huge thank you to the girls for making it a great meet up, I thoroughly enjoyed myself!

The businesses above are...

@Argos_Online, @GreenPeopleUK, @misspatisserie, @movedancewear, @dotcomgiftshop, @bykirsty, @stkittsherbery, @fever_london, @marksandspencer and @CrabtreeUK. 

What do you think? Were you at the meet up?

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THREE TOP TIPS FOR STUDENTS

1. ORGANISATION
Organisation is key. Like seriously, the amount of times I've gone to try and write and essay and my notes are splurging out of my file, onto the floor and I've even found some stray notes in the back of my car. Get a hole punch or get a pile of polly pockets and file everything away neatly as soon as you get it. It makes hell of a difference. It's so much easier to revise and do homework when your file is in order. Sticky notes or a Filofax is a fantastic way to note down homework and keep on top of what's due in when.

2. FURTHER READING
Last year I bought all the right textbooks and extra material but never bothered to read them or even pick them up off the shelf, to be completely honest I'm not even sure where they are. If you cover a topic in class then when you get home do some extra reading on the topic, make sure you fully understand it.

3. PRACTICE
Write notes, write more notes and keep writing notes. Write notes with notes, with textbooks and then just write notes with the information you can remember. Go online and get some past paper questions, practise every single one. Get as much practise as you can, do it with notes, without notes, with time constraints, without time constraints. Remember practise makes perfect.

I hope these three top tips for students really help you to maximise yourself academically, the key with exams is the more you put in the more you get out of it.

What are your top tips for college/university?

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MATALAN || Christmas Makeover

I'm changing my room, making it cosier than ever and after my recent visit to Matalan I couldn't not share with you what I'm going to buy for my bedrooms Christmas Makeover.

Bedding £20.00 - £30.00

Home Cushion £8.00

Clock £6.00

Red Lantern £5.00

Tea Lights - Vanilla Sugar £3.00 (these smell amazing)

Knitted Throw £30.00

Bird Cage £12.00

I'm really excited about this Christmas range at Matalan and I'm really excited to do my room.

What do you think?

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THE 100 FOLLOWER GIVEAWAY! ENDED!

It's finally here guys, I finally reached the 100 followers mark and I'm so excited that my little blog has come this far and you're all still reading! I hope you like the goodies I've chosen for you! 

Here are the lovely little goodies I have for you, all individually picked and chosen by me! 

Includes:

Floral Notebook

Soap & Glory Hand Food

Matalan, Vanilla Sugar Candle

Collection, Work The Colour Eyebrow Kit

Collection, All About The Eyes Palette

Seventeen, Falsifeye HD in Brown/Black

Seventeen, Stay Pout in Rule Breaker

Want a closer look?

Everything is BRAND NEW! 

I hope you like these products and it'll encourage you to enter my giveaway!
Goodluck!
*WINNER ANNOUNCED ON NOVEMBER 1ST*

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

This Week

Monday
I don't mind Mondays anymore, 9am - 11am in college, a quick session at the gym and then the rest of the day to myself.

Tuesday
Since Tuesday was the only weekday I was working this week I treated myself in the day to some treats from Tesco! Propercorn is my new favourite snack, with low calories and lots of lovely flavours.

Wednesday
My college teacher was unwell and unable to turn up for my sociology lesson so I spent the day and night with mam eating homemade soup and watching Downtown Abbey and The Apprentice. I also spent the evening joining in on the blogger chats.

Thursday
I'm part of a Youth Forum/Cabinet which I don't think I've mentioned on the blog before, but while I was in America they worked with charities and production companies to create a Human Trafficking DVD to raise awareness for Human Trafficking in Wales and the UK and on Thursday they had a launch event where they premièred the DVD at our local VUE cinema, you can read all about it here.

After work I met up with some friends and we went for a drink.

Friday
I woke up sick and had to drag myself to my last lesson in college and then work at 6. It was also dads birthday.

Saturday
I woke up 10 times worse the next morning, and I spent the whole day scrunched up into a little ball, I started feeling better around 6 and decided to order a curry and watch some crap TV.

Sunday
I've been in bed since I woke up, still sick.


I've got a week off for my birthday next week, I'm hopefully going to post lots of birthday related posts next week so stay tuned.


Watching this week: EastEnders, Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares, Kick Ass

Listening to this week: All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor, Bang Bang - Jessie J, Fancy - Iggy Azelia, Break The Rules - Charlie X, Don't -  Ed Sheeran.

Reading this week: 8 ways to love your body, Improving your Instagram, 8 tips for moving to another country, how to curl your hair with straighteners

Published this week: #OOTD, the single life, gym advice, Human Trafficking event

Do you like the new changes to my 'This Week' posts?

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Human Trafficking || Caught in Traffick

On Thursday the 16th of October I attended an event premièring a DVD created by the Merthyr Tydfil Borough Wide Youth Forum to raise awareness of human trafficking. I am, and have been a member of  the Merthyr Borough Wide Forum for a few years, but I was in America when the DVD was being put together.

So this was my outfit for the event. I needed something smart and I love a bit of dog tooth.

Dress - Topshop (old)

Shoes - Tesco/F&F (old)

Bag - Primark £9.00

I arrived at VUE cinema early to help set up and welcome guests which included councillors, people who worked on the production, some professionals including Dr Mwenya Chimba who works on Human Trafficking projects with charities, later in the evening she went on to give an inspirational talk on raising awareness for Human Trafficking.

These are the learning resource packs which are available to download, they are a helpful extra resource for information on human trafficking.

Our evening agendas were perfectly packaged in these little envelops which were so cute!

This guy was the after party entertainment and I must say he was amazing! My new friend and I couldn't stop singing along with him! I introduce you to Nick Pendry, you can listen to him on Sound Cloud here. He was on the Xfactor in 2013 if you recognise him!

I had a great time at the after party, there was a fantastic buffet to go along with the music.

As soon as the DVD is available on YouTube I will link it for you. It was played twice and both times had my hairs on my body standing up and almost had me crying. The hard work the young people put in really paid off. They also won an award for the DVD which was a first young person led DVD on the subject of child abuse and human trafficking. I'm so proud of my little group.

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THE GYM

Getting yourself to the gym. Get up and go.

I was terrified of the gym, even though I've been before I was afraid to go back. Why? Because I felt like I didn't know what I was doing, I didn't know where to start, what weights should I be lifting? how much cardio is enough? We've all been a newbie at something, we don't all know everything, we need to take it a step at a time.
The best way to motivate myself I find is to check out #fitspo on Instagram and Twitter, I then went and got a nice pair of trainers and I set myself a schedule. I decided one day that I was going to start the gym and so off I went, I didn't stay there long but it was a start...

So when you finally motivate yourself and get to the gym...

(Source)

1. Make the most of your gym introduction. When you join a gym they always give you an introduction. Don't pretend you know what you're doing, ask questions, make sure you know how the machines work so you don't hurt yourself and so you're using it correctly.

(Source)

2. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I've done this several times at my gym. Looked at a machine and thought...how do I do this right? Without breaking my back? The staff at the gym are there to help! And if you'd prefer to ask that muscle man over there doing sit ups, go for it. People are pretty friendly and most guys will be flattered if you ask them for help.

(Source)

3. Read helpful articles online.I've read quite a few from Nerd Fitness.
Here's one on actually starting a fitness journey...pick one of 5 quests here.
This is one for you gym newbies on gym etiquette..here.

(Source)

4. Remember that changing your body takes time and it's not just about working out, it's about eating the right things to fuel your body.

Did you enjoy this post? Would you like to see more?

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Why I Like || THE SINGLE STATUS

This sums up my relationships so far.

As someone who was in relationships from the age of 14 until a few months ago, being single was a strange new lifestyle change that came out of nowhere.

In May this year I suddenly became single and in a bid to get over the horrendous break up I jetted off to America to work at a Summer Camp for two and a half months (not planned). Some people have praised me for this, saying I was strong and that it must have been a great way to get through the break up, however I don't think this was a good way for me to cope. In three weeks I got hired, I got my visa and I jetted off to America ignoring any feelings of sadness I had. I didn't get upset, I simply ignored the fact that a huge part of my life had disappeared. This means that while in America I was on auto pilot, while I was doing it it didn't feel like I was actually there and when I got back from my amazing experience in America, little by little I fell apart. I've come to the conclusion that this is because of all the feelings of hatred and sadness I boxed up in my head, this created a cloudiness.

But now I'm ok, I dealt with the feelings, I'm not saying I'm cured from the heartbreak but I'm concentrating on the good things, life is pretty good right now, a lot better than it was when I was in a relationship. And as I'm writing this I feel like a weight is being lifted off my shoulders.

Why I'm enjoying the single status right now

When I come home from work I can jump into a lovely warm bed all to myself. Starfishing anyone?

I don't have to religiously shave my legs. It's nice not having to shave my legs every week.

I have plenty of time to myself, to look after myself. Gym? yes, please.

I can work on myself, emotionally and physically. Develop my identity.

I spend more time with my girls. Dinner dates.

I can do whatever I like. Socially acceptable or not.

I'm experiencing new experiences and taking opportunities I never could have.

I'm dedicating myself to things that matter and will benefit me.

I'm becoming a better person, a more independent person and I'm enjoying life a whole lot more than I ever could of imagined. It looks like I'm going back to America next year and I'm looking into doing a couple more life changing experiences.

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#OOTD on a rock

This has been one of my favourite outfits of all time. I bought the blouse 2 years ago off eBay, it has a silky feel and is a nude colour, originally from New Look.

The cardigan was another happy buy which I bought for full price off Wallis, around £23.00

And the shoes I believe I also go the same time as the shirt, two years ago from Primark.

The jeans are recently bought from New Look for £19.99.

This is one of my favourite outfits because it's not too formal or informal and you can throw it on anytime, wherever you're going.

What can I say, I'm a blouse addict. If in doubt a lovely blouse and a pair of jeans is a reliable way to go! 

What do you think? 

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25 before 25

1.Camp America

If you've followed my blog for awhile then you'll know I spent the summer of 2014 living the dream working in America.

2, Skydiving

I've wanted to skydive for ages, I'm trying to raise money for MIND by doing it!

3. Visit Paris

I visited Paris on a school trip once. It wasn't great, but now I want to visit it again and make it great. There's something special about Paris that makes me want to explore!

4. Go to University

Taking 3 years to do A-Levels instead of two is really annoying and it sucks that all my friends are in university and I'm still stuck in college. 

5. Graduate University

It's pointless going to university if I'm not going to graduate with an acceptable degree!

6. Attend a blogger meet up.

I want to attend at least 5 blogger meet ups and at least two of those need to be in England.

7. Run a colour run/ Cancer research 5K

I want to do both of these. I've never been a huge runner but I feel like I need to do these things before I hit 25 or I'll never do them.

8. Visit Italy and write on Juliet's wall in Verona.

I want to go single, is that weird?

9. Take a roadtrip, anywhere.

10. Send a message in a bottle.

11. Continue blogging

12. Ride in a hot air balloon.

13. Go white water rafting.

14. Get business cards created for my blog.

15. Go on a cruise

16. Go to a gig.

17. Climb 3 mountains

Including Pen Y Fan.

18. Travel to some amazing places

19. Ride on the London eye

20. Go to a music festival

21. See the Grand Canyon

22. Dress up and attend Comic Con

23. Visit Australia

24. Get fit, like seriously

25. COMPLETE THIS LIST BY THE 23rd of October 2020.

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#OOTD Girls on film competition

I'm very excited to be writing this post after receiving my prize from Girls On Film. Girls On Film is an edgy fashion brand created by Little Mistress. I won a competition on twitter where I received this outfit!

3 days later I received the Little Mistress parcel.

I couldn't wait to try these on so I opened them up and I've done a little #ootd shoot.

Burgundy chunky knit cropped jumper £32.00

I've fallen in love with this jumper, this is my kind of style, I'm looking forward to wearing it to college with a nice pair of jeans and boots. I love the colour and it's so comfortable!

Buy here..

Navy large check trousers £35.00

Now these are not the sort of things I would wear and they are wayyyyy out of my comfort zone, however they're made of the most beautiful fabric and they are super soft. They're growing on my and I'm keeping a look out for a blouse to wear them with.

Buy here..

*I'm a size 8, both products are size 8*

What do you think? Any suggestions on what shoes to wear with these trousers?

*This is only my second #ootd post, I was very nervous about doing this and I think it takes alot of guts for #fbloggers to upload photos of themselves in different outfits on a regular basis. I'm a little self concious and I would ask that you keep any mean comments to yourself* thank you 

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