Category: lifestyle

You’re a Blogger

6 Comments

I’ve seen a lot of questions on Twitter recently about when someone becomes a blogger. There are so many ideas out there about what being a blogger means and if you ‘count’ if your blog isn’t enough to provide an income. There have been a few times I’ve tried to write this blog post and agonised over whether I should but, well, here it is.

So I’ll  tell you a secret if you set up a blog and you write on it you are a blogger. There it is, it’s that simple. Are there different types of blogger? Of course but we are all still bloggers together. Whether you make money from blogging and that’s your job, well done because that’s hard work. If you’re doing it as well as working full time, like your girl right here, well done too because it’s also damn hard work.

I don’t care how many followers you have, how many times you’ve posted or what brands you work with if you’re blogging because you enjoy it. So many people get caught up with what brands want, what your DA is (domain authority) and being on par with the ‘big bloggers’. We didn’t start to compete or see who could have the most expensive flat lays. We started because we loved it and that, for me is what’s important. You don’t need an expensive camera or top connections, it helps but it’s not what you need. You need passion and love and that’s about it.

So if you’re smaller and perhaps feeling dismayed, we all do at times, don’t give up. There are some wonderful, wonderful supportive bloggers online that are feeling the same. This might not be as eloquently put as I would have liked it, but I needed to say it. I needed to remind people where this started. We’d all love to make money from blogging, have a million followers etc but that’s not the only measure of success.

Is there anything else you would add about being a blogger? Let me know in the comments below.

How to Switch Off From Social Media

7 Comments

When some people say that Social Media is their life, you may think that they’re being dramatic but hold fire because I’m being serious. You see more than loving my Twitter, Facebook and Instagram these platforms are my full-time job. I spend 8 hours a day thinking, planning, checking and considering social in one way or another. So, how on earth do you switch off?

I’ll be honest with you this is not going to be a post that tells you of the incredible detox and how I’m a new person. That’s not me at all, I love it. But, just like everyone else I need to take a breather from time to time. I have found some ways that aren’t deleting apps on your phone or taking holidays if that works though you do you.

Have something else to take up your time 

For me, this is reading. That doesn’t mean I can’t post about something I’ve read later (yes, I’m on Goodreads too) but going into a fictional world helps you get away and back into your own mind.

Try and have a cut off at night

I try to have a cut-off of 10.30pm (I know this doesn’t always work). After that time it’s for me, which leads me on to my next point…

Have an evening routine  

I have a routine in the evening which is focused on me. Just little things that aren’t anything to do with my phone or social, I’ll make sure that I put some music on and have a shower or bath, read a little bit, get some nice PJs on etc.

If you have to have your phone keep it in a bag 

When I go out it’s so easy to have my phone in a pocket, I can feel it vibrate or hear it but I realised that when it’s in the depths of my bag (and I am very stereotypical about having a lot in my bag) I still have access if I need it but can go about my day.

Read 

I’ve mentioned this a lot in this blog but it’s my main way to disconnect and get away for a little bit. Recently, I have a lot of fantasy on the go and I LOVE it.

Remember you’re allowed to walk away 

It’s easy to get caught up and feel like you have to be online all the time and constantly interacting BUT it’s ok to take a break. You don’t need to apologise on social channels for some time away, although a lot of people do!

What do you do to unwind and get off of social media? Let me know in the comments below!

 

 

unpopular-opinions-book-tag

Unpopular Opinions Book Tag!

10 Comments

Well, I wouldn’t be a good book blogger if I didn’t talk about the good and the bad! I loved watching this when Cece over at Problems of a Book Nerd did this tag! Keep in mind these are my opinions but I’d love to know yours at the end of this post!

What is a popular book or series that you didn’t like?

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I really hated the twist to me it just seemed kind of boring? I’ve met very few people who agree with me!

What is a popular book or series that everyone else seems to hate but you love?

So, I took a look at this list to see what people had claimed to hate. I couldn’t believe Jane Eyre was on there, I absolutely adored it! It was incredible and a wonderful novel.

What is a love triangle in a book or series where the main character ended up with the person you did not want them to end up with?

This is a difficult one, most of the time I agree with what the author says BUT I didn’t like what happened in The Hunger Games. It didn’t feel like Katniss got the ending she deserved, not did Gale, nor did Peeta.

What is a popular book genre that you hardly reach for?

Romance, it’s not something that I’m interested in and I find them too samey.

What is a popular or beloved character that you do not like?

Snape. I don’t care what he did towards the end he was a bully and a coward. Sorry, not sorry.

Who is a popular author that you can’t seem to get into?

E.L. James, I don’t get the 50 Shades thing, I had to read some for uni and before that, I wanted to know what the fuss was about. The writing was awful, truly, truly awful.

What is a popular book trope that you are tired of seeing?

People being arseholes/ terrible people and the only reason given is that they have a mental illness. Over it, add some depth.

What is a popular book or series that you have no interest in reading?

The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer. I read Meyer’s Heartless a while ago and it just wasn’t the kind of book I thought it would be and I was disappointed with the plot. It’s because of that I won’t be picking up the Lunar Chronicles.

What is a movie or TV show adaption of a book or series that you like more than the book/s?

Bridget Jones! I couldn’t stand the books when I read them, I couldn’t get on with the writing style at all but I absolutely love the films.

 

What unpopular opinions do you have? Are you going to do the tag? Let me know in the comments below!

7 Things I Wish I’d Known as a New Graduate

5 Comments

This year marks 2 years since my graduation, it honestly feels like a lifetime ago since I put on the cap and gown, shook someone’s hand (I still don’t remember who they were) and…that was it. 3 years of blood sweat and tears and it was all over. There are so many things I wish I’d known from that point onwards, so I thought I’d share with you 7 things I wish I’d known as a new graduate.

Take time to enjoy what you’ve achieved

You just worked damn hard to get a degree so enjoy it! I 100% regret that I didn’t book a holiday for straight after I graduated to take time to relax and celebrate. I was in a job really quickly and part of me wishes I hadn’t done that. Even if it’s only a week, take some time to enjoy your success.

You’re not meant to know what you’re doing

I don’t like not knowing what I’m doing and I can be pretty impatient. I wanted to prove I had my shit together but I quickly realised I didn’t. I didn’t know at all. My first year out of university was, to put it bluntly, a nightmare. I had some really bad luck. Embrace the fact you have no idea and just go with it!

Uni wasn’t just about getting a job

The promise I would earn more with a degree really made me want to give uni a try. I learnt later that uni wasn’t about getting a job. Simply having a degree doesn’t make you more employable anymore, sorry to break it to you. Uni’s about how you use the time, explore new things, work yourself out, get more insight into what you want to do.

There’s no one way to live your life 

I have friends who graduated and went travelling for a year. Others got married and want to start families. Some went on to a graduate programme or got a job and more than I expected went on to further study. There’s no one way to be a graduate, find what works for you.

Most people don’t go straight into a ‘great job’ 

Some people do but they are very few and far between. Out of the majority of people, I went to university with most went into office jobs as juniors, some are working in retail, others have a lot of further training to do. For the majority, the first year out of uni can be pretty tough going but it’s about the long game, remember that.

You actually did something pretty amazing

Getting a degree isn’t easy! You worked for it and you did it! Celebrate that, you did something amazing.

You’re going to be ok

It’s not the easiest thing in the world, you’ll feel stressed and you’ll have some battles. Remember though, you’re going to be ok.

What would you add? Let me know in the comments below!

 

My Love-Hate Relationship With Exercise

8 Comments

Yesterday I went to the gym. I’m sure a lot of you are thinking ok, so what? A lot of people go to the gym. It was my first time going this year and it hurt. A lot. I talk a fair bit about my accident a few years ago, the impact that has on my life and being able to exercise regularly can often cause me a lot of pain.

My relationship with exercise goes way back. When I was a kid I had much more fun with my nose in a book than running around. P.E was the lesson I hated most and I was the most clumsy person I knew. For that to change when I started riding was a minor miracle, there was exercise that I loved!

In the past 3 years, my weight has gone up and down. I lose the weight, I’m happy and then six months later I’ve put it back on and it goes on, again and again. This isn’t a vanity project. This isn’t me wanting to shimmy into some size 6 jeans and get revenge. It’s literally just wanting to be healthy, to get back to the size I was at university.

img_3522

Now, I know that my body has and will continue to change throughout my life, but that natural change can be controlled. I haven’t been looking after my body the way I should be in the past few months, I haven’t eaten right, I’ve done minimal exercise so this is on me.

I feel good after a workout, I feel accomplished. Sometimes I feel better, a bit sore and I can get on with my day. Other times the old pains come back and I can’t move the next day, so it’s kind of a bargaining thing. I’m determined that, when I can, I want to exercise in one way or another on a bad day swimming is better, if I’m up to it I can go to the gym. I’ll get there slowly, I might even learn to like it again.

I guess I wrote this because it’s easy to look in Instagram and see amazing people with amazing bodies talking about how much they love fitness and healthy shakes. If that’s not you, that’s ok. A lot of people aren’t athletic but you have to do it your way, I certainly am!

 

How do you feel about exercise? Let me know in the comments below!

Getting To Know You Better Tag

Leave a comment

Hello, hello, hello my lovely readers!

I was tagged by Sasha at Little Book Shelf for this tag and I thought it looked like fun. I love a good tag and it was great to show my own answers as well as being able to show some great bloggers that I’m reading at the moment.

The Rules:
Answer the questions down below.
Credit the tag creator InkGirlWords.
Nominate as many unsuspecting souls as possible! (or at least 5).

The Tag

How long have you been blogging?

I’ve been blogging since I was 17…that’s 6 years now (no idea how that happened). The first 2.5 years was just doing book reviews and then I’ve spent 4.5 on this blog, which is crazy!

Do you enjoy doing tags? 

I really like doing tags, I feel like you can find out so much about a blogger/vlogger through tags and I’ve got some amazing book recommendations through tags!

Do you follow the blogs that follow you?

I try to follow them all! Sorry if I’ve missed any.

Describe your blog in five words.

Books. Thoughts. Passion. Life. Everything.

How many posts have you made on your blog (not counting this tag)?

At the time of writing this post 1207…

On a scale of 1-10 how much do you enjoy blogging?

10, I love it. Love, love, love it!

Post some links to blogs you enjoy reading:

The Bellezza Corner  

Novels and Teacups 

Blonde vs Books

Currently, Lately

 

Writing or reading blog posts?

Writing, I can’t stop

I Tag: 

The blogs I like reading!

The Bellezza Corner  

Novels and Teacups 

Blonde vs Books

Currently, Lately

And anyone who wants to do this tag!

 

Have fun!! 

I Have a Skin Care Routine?

6 Comments

 IMG_7016

As you all know, I’m not a beauty blogger, in fact, I wrote a whole post about it. That said, as I get older or should I say as my sister gets older I’ve gotten more interested. That and I’ve really had problems with my skin recently.  I get most of my recommendations from my family and friends, but I’m getting there. Now, I have a skincare routine!

Why now?

This wasn’t something I set out to do, I was just using wipes for my skin. Then in the latter half of 2017, I started having real trouble. I’d always had spots but they come and go.  Then my skin got worse and developed into acne and I got stressed, the most stressed I got, the worse my skin got. I needed to try something. My Mum decided to get me the stuff that she uses to see if it would help! I’m also pleased to say that Elemis is also cruelty-free!

What is my routine?

  1. Put some Pro-Collagen Cleansing Balm into my hands to warm up. Once warm, spread evenly across my face. Using warm water, massage the balm into the face in circular motions. Once done, wash away with warm water. Pat face dry.
  2. Take Rehydrating Ginseng Tone and spray on to a cotton pad  (I get mine from Superdrug but you can pick them up anywhere) and wipe my face.
  3. Put on a layer of moisturiser and rub into skin.

 

Has it worked?

 I have seen a difference, in my skin. It’s definitely looking healthier and gradually it’s making a difference but, of course, when I have PMS my skin is awful and there’s not much that can help in that scenario, it’s a whole league of its own. That said, once I’ve completed my routine I feel so much better and so much healthier!

Do you have a skincare routine? What do you use? Let me know in the comments below!

This is NOT a sponsored post, these are my own opinions.

What Do You Do For Fun? 23 and ‘Boring’

6 Comments

I was recently asked what I do for fun, what my hobbies are. I replied as I always do I blog, I read a lot and I write. People don’t really believe me when I say that’s what I do for fun. Don’t you go out? Don’t you drink etc, etc. That’s usually how it goes. So sometimes I think about it, am I boring for my age?

I’ve never been one for regularly going out to clubs and partying. When I was a teenager I went to house parties, hosted by my boyfriend. When I was in college I didn’t go out drinking still, only to a few house parties. In my first six months at university, I went out to a club grand total of two times the first I was on the night bus crying by midnight because I had an anxiety attack. The second time I came home early. In Second year I’d get drunk so I wasn’t anxious and go out with friends. In Third year I didn’t go out at all. Then I graduated and became even more comfortable with my own life.

staying-in-20-something

You might follow me on Instagram and think, hang on I’ve seen pictures of you out with friends. I do go, occasionally. Once a month my friends and I try and go out for drinks or I might go to see or do something. For a long time, I got hung up on the fact I didn’t feel ‘normal’, I felt ‘boring’. I had this idea in my head of what I was meant to be doing.

There is a pressure I think. Travel the world, but save money. Go out and party, but spend all your time networking and building a career. Have fun, but think seriously about your future, you only get one chance. All of these things going through your mind.

The thing is, I like staying at home and reading books or writing. Blogging makes me happy. Spending time on my craft, reading a really good book, having lie-ins or just chatting with my boyfriend is a good weekend. I like going out and seeing and doing too but I don’t feel like I’m missing out by not going out every weekend.

I thought, for a long time, the worst someone could call me was boring. I was fun right?  I was entertaining? People would want to hang out with me? I tormented myself worrying about this shit. Slowly, I’m working towards not caring about that stuff, about doing my own thing and what makes me happy. And, for me, that’s what’s important doing things I love to do rather than what everyone else is doing.

I want to hear from my lovely readers! Do you ever feel like you’re not doing ‘what you should’ or a bit boring? Do you ever feel under pressure to be or act a certain way because of your age? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Growing Up With Young Parents

3 Comments
Growing up with young parents

1996, I wish I was still as cute

Last night the internet finally got their answer to the Kylie Jenner mystery as she posted a message and video to announce the birth of her daughter. It was beautiful and made me tear up a little. Something struck me at the beginning. Her best friend Jordan reflecting on Kylie being 20 saying ‘When you’re 20 years old you’re figuring out your life…there was one thing your Mom knew for sure, and that was you’. It made me think about my own parents.

When I was born my Mum was 21 and my Dad had only just turned 22. They were in their early twenties and got engaged a few months before I was born.  Then there I was this little screaming baby that they were going to take care of, and take care of they did. I was a first child, first Grandchild, first Niece, I was so, so loved.

When I tell people how young my parents are, they seem shocked. A lot of people I know have parents who are 10 or more years older or the people I work with are the same age as my parents and can’t get their heads around it. The thing is it’s always just seemed normal to me, it is what it is.

The thing is I never felt I missed out by having younger parents. I had a pretty amazing childhood. I went to Disney land when I was little, I had lots of lovely toys. I always felt loved and encouraged in whatever I set out to do. I knew that I was my parents’ whole world, then I got a little sister when I was six and I just fell in love with her.

I’ve gotten into arguments with people before, those who were incredibly narrow-minded, about the fact that people can and should have children when they want to. I know people who’ve waited until their 30s, my best friend had my Goddaughter at 17. Everyone’s journey is different, who are we to judge?

I’m past the point of where my parents were when they had me, I won’t be a young parent just because my life is different and the world is different to what it was in 1994. I love having younger parents, I always have. It might not be the same as what my friends have but I wouldn’t change it for the world. My family is pretty cool.

Any other people from young parent families? Let me know in the comments below.

Growing Up With Girl Power – The Spice Girls & Me

Leave a comment

 

spice girls return

I might have squealed when I saw this on Instagram…

 

I love music and have done for just about as long as I can remember and everyone has to start somewhere, right? Unless you’ve been completely removed from the internet in the last 48 hours you will have seen this picture. Be still my child heart because all five Spice Girls were in a room together with their previous manager and now there’s actually talk about new Spice plans.

The Spice Girls were something else for me and millions of other little girls. ‘Wannabe’ came out when I was two, I wanted to listen to these ladies all the time, I had no idea what they were singing about but I loved them. The older I got the more I wanted to be like them.

I remember around the age of four sitting and watching the new videos that came out on the TV or just waiting to see old ones. I remember watching Viva Forever’s video for the first time. Spice World was the first film I ever saw and then in 1999 my incredible Mum took a five-year-old me to see them at Earls Court, Victoria waved at me and it was the best day of my little life.

There’s something else that stands out to me as an adult though, the Spice Girls were a marketing machine. They absolutely nailed it. In the 90s you couldn’t go anywhere without seeing some reference to them, they took over the world – and with a good message. These were women who did what they liked. They were funny and loud and everywhere.

The message of Girl Power is one I held with me long after the girls parted ways. Although I know, Geri Halliwell claims she’s not a Feminist for a lot of young women, myself included, chants of Girl Power were the start of their own belief in women and Feminism. I truly believe that the message of the Spice Girls was part of me never feeling like I couldn’t do something just because I was a girl. I had, and still have, Girl Power!

Whatever these ladies choose to do as a five-piece I’ll be so excited. Really because they were a big part of my life growing up and who I am today.

What are your Spice memories? Are you excited to see them back?! Let me know in the comments below and as ever, Spice up your life.