Category: lifestyle

Sunday Seven: Tips for Flying Alone!

2 Comments

Last week I took my first flight alone from Palma, Majorca to London Gatwick. I had an amazing holiday (although more on that tomorrow) but on the last day I had a knot in my stomach for the afternoon. I’ve never had to fly on my own and although I’ve flow so, so many times the thought of going it alone was really nerve wracking. That said, once I’d done it I really enjoyed it and feel like I’ve opened so many more doors for myself. So, what are my tips for flying alone?

Make sure you are at the airport nice and early 

There’s nothing that stresses you out more than being late, you may be waiting around but at least you’ll be relaxed and ready to fly.

Tell family or friends important details 

Let people know what’s going on, especially when you’re travelling alone. That way other people know that you’re safe too.

If you need any assistance, book it in advance 

I’ve needed assistance in the past and it’s always fine if you book in advance. When you’re at the airport it can take longer or you might not be able to get it at the last minute.

Have a good playlist 

I don’t like landing and take off when I have to listen to the engines, this time I plugged in my headphones and had pumping music and it was awesome! Totally difference experience, make sure you’re on Airplane mode though!

Take something to do on the flight 

A book, a notebook, tablet something to keep you entertained because everyone knows that plane journeys can be so boring.

Make this your time, away from distractions 

The great thing is that there’s no internet (well not on any flight I’ve ever been on), you can take some time for yourself to just think or sleep, sleeps good.

Enjoy the views! 

I flew at 2 in the morning, seeing all the lights of the towns and cities we flew over was beautiful.

 

What are your tips for flying alone? Let me know in the comments below!

Feminist Friday: Summer Reading List

5 Comments

It’s been a few year since I embarked on my own summer of Feminist books. That said, I wanted to share with you some great reads for the summer if you want to get started or just find some new reads.

 

23592235 (2)

If you haven’t started reading Holly Bourne’s incredible Spinster Club trilogy this is where to start. Novels about friendship, love and feminism, there’s nothing better! Review here.

10600242

Personally, I see this as a classic for modern feminists. Caitlin is funny, loud but gives a great view on feminism today. This was what I started with and I read it within 24 hours. Caitlin also has a range of other books about feminism too so you’re sure to find something you like. Review here.

23346886

Have you ever felt pressured by magazines or the media? What about the whole ‘beach body’ thing? Then you’ve found the book for you. A fresh look at women, the media and how we react to it. Review here.

 

28434176-1

You might have already read Laura’s first book Everday Sexism, this is her second and my favourite so far. There’s more intelligent thought and there’s also dancing vaginas, you’re welcome. Read my review here.

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

The Truth About Being in a Long Term Relationship

8 Comments

A lot of people in my life ask me about my relationship. Ali and I have been together for almost 9 years. We met at school and have been together since the ages of 13 and 14. This isn’t common and I only know one or two other couples who are in a long-term relationship in their early twenties.  There is this fascination whenever new people find out about us and there are a LOT of questions, so I thought why not make a blog post about them.

Do you ever feel like your missing out? 

No, not really. I’m in a relationship where we can do what we want to do. There’s no asking permission or anything like that. I’ll check we haven’t planned anything before finalising plans with friends, out of politeness. I can do what I like and so can he so I don’t feel like I miss anything.

Is it easier now you’ve met someone? 

I don’t have the same stresses in terms of relationships that my friends have, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t without struggles. We’ve been together 9 years so of course, we have disagreements and arguments. I wouldn’t say it’s easier, it takes patience, time and love!

What’s the best part of being with someone for that long? 

We got to grow together. We’ve literally seen each other through our awkward teenage years, through becoming who we are at university. We’ve seen some of the worst parts and some of the best. That’s really special because I’ve seen him become the man he is today and I love it.

Do you have to compromise? 

Of course, we’re two individuals with different opinions.

Dude, why aren’t you married yet?

Do you know how EXPENSIVE it is to get married?! It’s something we’d like to do some day but right now we’re pretty chill living together.

Do you feel like you’re just part of a couple? 

People often think of us as ‘Chloe & Ali’ but I still feel like an individual. I know what I like, he knows what he likes. We have similar friends but different careers, different thoughts and opinions. I think that’s really important in a healthy relationship.

What advice do you have? 

Other people’s opinions can be the worst thing for a relationship. There’s no set way to have a relationship, no strict timeline. As long as there is trust, friendship and respect then you do you!

My Blogging Journey in 10 questions

4 Comments

I get asked a lot about blogging once people find out about my website, so I thought I’d share my journey in 10 questions for my lovely readers. So, here we go.

Why did you start blogging?

My very first blog was to review my bookcase, as a reason to keep all my books. For this blog, I wanted to document my uni experience and it’s become so much more!

How has blogging changed for you?

My confidence, people read what I write. It’s made me realise I can write and it’s good enough for people to read.

What’s the BEST part of blogging?

Being able to connect with people, exchanging stories!

What’s the worst part of blogging?

Comparing yourself to others. It’s so easy to look and go why aren’t I at their level? It’s often a case of right place, right time added to hard work.

How do you schedule?

I used to be SO good at scheduling. Now if I can I try and schedule a week in advance but it doesn’t always go to plan…

Do you keep track of stats?

I have a spreadsheet (because I’m a total spreadsheet geek) to keep an eye on how I’m doing, what’s working and what’s not.

What makes you keep blogging?

Every now and again, I’ll get a message for a comment from someone about how my blog has been positive for them or helped in some way. It makes me feel good. That and I enjoy it!

What are your blogging goals?

  • To raise awareness of Mental Health
  • To work with some brands to promote something I love
  • To reach 5K Twitter followers
  • To use my blogging experience to write my own book

What do you want your blog to achieve if anything?

To raise awareness of Mental Health first and foremost.

What’s your top tip for new bloggers?

Keep going! Talk to other bloggers and push on through any writer’s block!

 

If you’d like to use these questions too then make sure to let me know! Leave links in the comments below 🙂

June Favourites!

Leave a comment

Books 

This month was a good one for books! It started with me picking up three new ones; The Gender Games by Juno Dawson, the Gryffindor edition of Philosophers Stone, Nutshell by Ian McEwan (SO GOOD), The Girl Who Beat ISIS by Farida Khalaf, The Wicked + The Divine vol 5 (finally!) and The New Girl by Rhyannon Styles. It’s been a really varied and awesome reading month, I’m really proud of myself.

HollywoodMedium_S2_2560x1450_Desktop_ShowDetail_1280x725_937650243807

Watching 

I have become OBSESSED with Tyler and his show. Now I do hope there is more after life and just love watching the show.

Fashion & Beauty 

I didn’t catch many super summery outfits from the heatwave! That said, in the top corner are two of my work outfits for the rain and next up my gym outfit! That’s right I got back in the gym this month too with a new sports bra and top on top of that I’ve been drinking LOTS of vitamin water. In the bottom two pictures, there are two new outfits on the left an outfit from my Mum and the right from my grandparents.

 

Home 

When I got offered my new job I found this mug and it just spoke to me. I was also able to find the Harry Potter bedding for our bed! I’m lucky enough that Ali loved it too!

General

There have been so many great general favourites this month! I’ve hit 500 subscribers on this blog so thank you to every single one of you who take the time to read. It’s also been a great month for socials I’ve been to my second book club, had my friend Joe to visit and had my baby sister finish school! On top of that I was so thrilled by the amount of young people who voted in the General Election, even if it wasn’t the result I was hoping for. I also finally received my Harry Potter pop vinyls I ordered at Christmas (in time for Harry Potter’s 20th Anniversary)! They’re incredibly adorable and I still have so many to collect! I couldn’t not mention the extreme heat we’ve been having this month, it got up to an amazing 36 degrees, that said I’m not great in the heat! I also wanted to sneak in my favourite chocolate at the moment Raspberry Intense Dark Chocolate. So, so, good.

 

What were YOUR favourites this month? Let me know in the comments below!

25 Get to know me questions

5 Comments

My friend AshaOnline posted this a little while ago, I liked her answers so I thought I’d give it a go myself. Make sure you also pop over to Asha’s blog she’s just starting and has some really cool stuff!

Are you named after anyone?
First name, no, middle name yes after my aunt.

When was the last time you cried?

It’s a regular occurrence, I’m an emotional person

Do you have kids?
No, but I have a hamster who I love as much as a kid.

If you were another person, would you be a friend of yourself?
I think so, I’m a good friend.

Do you use sarcasm a lot?
Noooooooo. Does that give you an answer?

What’s the first thing you notice about people?
Their personality

What is your eye colour?
Blue

Scary movie or happy endings?
Happy Endings

Favourite smells?
Chocolate, fresh washing, outside post rain

What’s the furthest you’ve ever been from home?
US of A

Do you have any special talents?
I can sing?

Where were you born?
Basingstoke

What are your hobbies?
Reading, Writing, Funko Pop collecting

Do you have any pets?
Just one, a hamster named Wickett

Do you have any siblings?One sister, she’s my fave.

One sister, she’s my fave.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Happy! That’s all that matters!

Who was your first best friend?

Kara
How tall are you?

5ft1. No, I’m serious.

Funniest moment throughout School?

Honestly, can’t think of one, school sucked

How many countries have you visited?

I want to say 6?

What was your favorite/worst subject in High School?

Favourite I was Drama, worst was PE and/or Maths

What is your Favorite drink? Animal? Perfume?

Tea, Hamster, Fantasy
What would you (or have you) name your children?

I have a few ideas but I’m not sharing them!
What Sports do you play/Have you played?

I’m not really a sports person, I used to ride but wasn’t on a team.
Who are some of your favourite YouTubers?

Carrie Hope Fletcher, Hannah Witton, Emma Blackberry, Cherry Wallis, Giovanna Fletcher, Cece from ProblemsofaBookNerd
How many Girlfriends/Boyfriends have you had?

Serious, 1.
Favourite memory from childhood?

Disney world!
How would you describe your fashion sense?

Comfortable but conscious of looking good.
What phone do you have? (iOS v Android?)

iPhone, always iPhone.

Tell us one of your bad habits!

Rushing.

Got any more questions? Let me know in the comments below!

Harry.

2 Comments

As most of you know 20 years ago today a very special book was released. On the 16th June 1997 Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone was released and little did I know it would change my life forever. Now, I have to make a confession. While I am a huge Potterhead now with a huge collection and love for everything Potter related, I wasn’t in the first wave in 1997, you see I was born in 1994 and couldn’t quite read at the age of 3. It wasn’t until after the films came out I got interested. I was too scared to see the film (the clip of Fluffy terrified me) and thought that only boys liked it (oh how wrong I was), instead, I started reading the books. From that point on it never stopped.

For me this was more than a book. This was something I loved so, so deeply. I remember my first pre-order, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in 2003. I needed that book but as a 9 year old I asked my Mum if we could go and get it as soon as it opened and so I went to WHSmiths handed them my piece of paper and was given my new book with release day goodies. They were so precious to me that I never used them, they currently live at my Mum’s house. For a 9-year-old little girl that was a BIG book, but I got through, I just kept reading and reading. I did the same for Half-Blood Prince and again for Deathly Hallows.

I always loved Hermione, because I felt like I was reading about myself. She was smart, a little bossy and a little annoying but with a good heart. She had messy brown hair and big teeth, I could see Hermione as a friend. I loved Harry and Ron and later Ginny became a firm favourite too. With each film, I would eagerly await what would happen, even though I knew just to see the magic again. I was lucky enough to go to America to see the theme park not long after opening and to go to London for the studio tour a few years later.

These books, these words spoke to me. They were a place I could fall into, books I could read over and over again and just be transported. I wasn’t bullied, I was a witch as smart as Hermione, as brave as Harry, as lovely as Ron. They were like good friends to me. Even now I hear the theme music and get goosebumps because it means so much to me. I’m even getting emotional as I write this. Everyone who knows and loves me knows there are few things in life I love more than Potter, hell even my first car was called Harry! And even though Pottermore doesn’t agree I always have and always will be a Gryffindor.

As I get older I’ll continue reading, listening, watching. Any extra books or information I’ll greedily take because I care so much about that world, the world that Jo has created for us to enjoy. I’ll make my wand collection even bigger, continue collecting until I don’t have the room and continue to live the lessons that Harry and his world taught me. This was so much more than a set of books for me, it was a childhood, a love, a lifeline and happiness.

Here’s to another 20 years of magic.

Growing & Keeping Your Twitter Followers!

Leave a comment

In the last few years, I’ve worked to try and organically grow my Twitter following. As I write this I have 3702 Twitter followers. While to many it might not sound huge or impressive, it’s taken some work. I’m not a big Youtube star or self-employed blogger, nor have I ever used a bot or paid for my followers. While it’s still a little way off of my goal of 5K by the end of the year I fully believe that I can do it! If you’re looking for a way to get to 10K fast, this isn’t the blog for you BUT if you want to know how little by little you can build a great following then you’re in the right place.

I first got Twitter a few years ago and barely used it, it’s only in the past 2 years I’ve really gotten into Twitter and increasing my followers. So, I’ve learned a few things about being authentic while still getting steady growth. Since January I’ve gained over 100 followers a month, and some of those months I haven’t been at my most active!

Engage with the followers you have 

There is no use trying to build a following if you ignore the people that are already there. Tweet your existing followers, follow them back if you find them interesting! Engagement is key and is what will make people want to check in with you/ your projects

Follow people who interest you and in turn, they may find you interesting!  

It’s no use following people just because you want to be followed back. You want people who are going to engage and make Twitter more interesting for you. So follow people you have an interest in and don’t judge accounts if they’re small. Who’s more likely to follow you, Kylie Jenner or the newbie blogger? Think about it.

Use apps like Crowdfire to see who’s following you, who’s unfollowed  

I have a huge online pet peeve for people unfollowing you once you’ve followed back (it’s not cool) so apps like Crowdfire are really helpful to see who’s following you and who’s staying following you!

Use relevant Hashtags  

Seems easy enough right? Using Hashtags can connect you with THE most awesome people, I was mentioned in the New York Times online once! You can debate or share an admiration for the same things, it’s a great way to find new people to follow and get more followers yourself.

Link people in your tweets 

Whenever I review anything I always tweet the company or the person I’m Tweeting about, you never know who’s watching! I’ve spoken to some lovely people online, gotten signed books and got to meet a few celebs too! All through Twitter!

Join Twitter chats for your interests! 

There are so many chats online every day for all time zones. It’s a great way to meet new people online and I always get at least one new follower from each chat that I partake in.

Think before you Tweet! 

Think, think, think. Some people can Tweet rude or obnoxious things and get a huge unfollowing. It’s great to have thoughts and opinions but not at the expense of someone else!

 

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

 

I got a job!

5 Comments

Tonight I’m sharing some really exciting news with my lovely readers! I’ve been offered a position to be an Account Executive with a Creative Design firm locally. I’m incredibly excited and can’t wait to get into the next chapter of my life. I don’t start for a few weeks but I’m so looking forward to my new team, new space and a great new opportunity.

It’s been quite a rough year since graduating and I was worried that this was it, that nothing was going to make me feel happy and fulfilled, that I wasn’t going to get the kind of job I wanted and, now it seems to be finally settling into what I wanted. I’ve learnt from every role and every experience in this crazy year of mine, but I’m hoping now I can get to a point where I’m not constantly worried and spinning or driving a lot.

I’m SO up for this challenge and to really make something great. Good things come to those who wait!

 

Staying positive on the job hunt

Leave a comment

As all my regular readers know a few months ago I lost my job, which was a big shock and not at all fun! After securing a temporary contract for a few months, it’s been time to start looking for other roles again, so the job hunt is well underway! We all know that it’s not easy or fun to job hunt, it can be very stressful in certain circumstances which mean motivation can be a struggle, particularly if you’ve had rejections or a bad experience in the past. SO how do you stay positive?

Write out all the good things you’ve done so far 

It’s really easy to get sucked into worry and self-doubt when I’ve been in this situation I try and think of 3 things I achieved in the jobs that I’ve had, it might not be huge but if it’s important to you then remember that!

Remember that rejection is not personal

It’s so tough getting rejections and can feel like it’s only you. There are so many reasons someone might not get a job! It’s so competitive at the moment too!

Talk to other people

Almost everyone I’ve spoken to has had a period of job hunting in their lives, don’t be ashamed. Others might be able to give you help and advice!

Be proactive! 

Jobs won’t come to you if you don’t get a job give yourself a little time and keep looking, see if you can boost your skills while you’re looking, it’ all about being proactive!