Vogue’s 73 Questions Tag

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1. What’s your favourite movie?Love Actually, so many great people in it. 

Love Actually, so many great people in it.
2. Favorite movie in the past five years?

That’s so hard! Star Wars, The Force Awakens

3. Favorite Hitchcock film?

Haven’t watched enough to have a favourite
4. A book you plan on reading?

What happened by Hillary Rodham Clinton
5. A book that you read in school that positively shaped you?

To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee, made me think about race issues.
6. Favorite TV show that’s currently on?

None, Game of Thrones is over.
7. On a scale of one to ten how excited are you about life right now?

About a 7, could be more exciting!
8. iPhone or Android?

iPhone, always.
9. Twitter or Instagram?

Twitter.
10. Who should EVERYONE be following right now?

Me 😛
11. What’s your favourite food?

Pasta, all the pasta.
12. Least favourite food?

Watermelon. Gross beyond gross.
13. What do you love on your pizza?

Meat, lots of meat! Or different cheeses.
14. Favorite drink?

Coke
15. Favorite dessert?

Chocolate Sundae with warm Brownie chunks!
16. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?

Milk chocolate on its own, Dark chocolate if there’s flavourings in it.
17. Coffee or tea?

Tea, always.
18. What’s the hardest part about being a mum?

I’m not a Mum! Well only to a Hamster.
19. What’s your favourite band?

Paramore.
20. Favorite solo artist?

Ohh that’s tough right now it’s Ed Sheeran
21. Favorite song?

Changes week to week!
22. If you could sing a duet with anyone, who would it be?

Either Hayley Williams or Lady Gaga
23. If you could master one instrument, what would it be?

Guitar
24. If you had a tattoo, where would it be?

I have two but I think my third will be on my shoulder.
25. To be or not to be?

To be
26. Dogs or cats?

Dogs
27. Bird-watching or whale-watching?

Bird-watching
28. Best gift you’ve ever received?

Handmade Harry Potter gifts
29. Best gift you’ve ever given?

Tickets to shows.
30. Last gift you gave a friend?

Chocolate 🙂
31. What’s your favourite board game?

Monopoly
32. What’s your favourite country to visit?

Hmm probably Greece.
33. What’s the last country you visited?

Majorca
34. What country do you wish to visit?

I want to go back to Italy!
35. What’s your favourite colour?

Baby Blue
36. Least favourite colour?

There’s very few I don’t like.
37. Diamonds or pearls?

Diamonds are a girls best friend
38. Heels or flats?

Flats.
39. Pilates or yoga?

Yoga?
40. Jogging or swimming?

Swimming every time.
41. Best way to de-stress?

A long, Lush bath.
42. If you had one superpower, what would it be?

Mind Reading
43. What’s the weirdest word in the English language?

I have no idea.
44. What’s your favourite flower?

Roses
45. When was the last time you cried?

A few days ago, Chronic Pain sucks
46. Do you like your handwriting?

When I have time to write nicely
47. Do you bake?

I do indeed!
48. What is your least favourite thing about yourself?

The amount I over think
49. What is your most favourite thing about yourself?

My perseverance.
50. Who do you miss most?

Ali.
51. What are you listening to right now?

Netflix, The People vs OJ Simpson
52. Favorite smell?

Chocolate
53. Who was the last person you talked to on the phone?

My Mum
54. Who was the last person you sent a text to?

Ali
55. A sport you wish you could play?

Football.
56. Hair color?

Redhead
57. Eye colour?

Blue
58. Scary film or happy endings?

Happy Endings
59. Favorite season?

Autumn 🙂
60. Three people alive or dead that you would like to have dinner with?

Sylvia Plath

Ellen Degeneres

J.K Rowling
61. Hugs or kisses?

Hugs
62. Rolling Stones or the Beatles?

The Beatles
63. Where were you born?

Basingstoke
64. What is the farthest you have been from home?

America
65. Sweet or savoury?

Sweet
66. Lipstick or lip gloss?

Lipstick
67. What book have you read again and again?

Nineteen Minutes – Jodi Picoult
68. Favorite bedtime story?

None!
69. What would be the title of your autobiography?

Just Keep Going
70. Favorite sound?

Happy Hamster Noises
71. Favorite animal?

Dwarf Hamster
72. Who is your girl crush?

I have many
73. Last photograph you took?

Stuff I’m selling online

Feminist Friday: 10 Things You Can Still Do & Still Be A Feminist

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There are so many crazy theories about things you can and can’t do when you’re a feminist. So, here are 10 things that you can still do and be a Feminist.

Be feminine

You think afternoon tea is the best way to spend an afternoon but also feel equality is important and want to talk about it? You’re still a Feminist.

Be angry!

You’re mad, you’re so fucking mad with the state of the world and that you are treated differently. You’re still a Feminist.

Want to have children

You want to have children, you’d love them and feel you’d be a good parent. You might even want to be a stay at home parent. You’re still a Feminist.

Choose to shave

You, personally, prefer the feel and look of shaved underarms and legs. You’re still a Feminist.

Dress in whichever way you want!

You like to wear clothes you’re happy in, even though it might conform to society or be ‘in fashion’ on the other hand you might not and that’s fine too. You’re still a Feminist.

Like being ‘sexy’

Want to take some pictures of yourself? Want to dress up in lacy underware? Go for it. You’re still a Feminist.

Enjoy beauty

Make up makes you feel good and creative? You like to transform your features? You’re still a Feminist

Take your husband to be’s name

You like the tradition, prefer his name or would like to have family name. You’re still a Feminist.

Enjoy the company of men!

You get on with guys, you like to hang out with them. You’re still a Feminist.

Have your own views and opinions.

You are still a Feminist.

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

Book Review: Big Little Lies – Liane Moriarty

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“Mothers took their mothering so seriously now. Their frantic little faces…Ponytails swinging. Eyes fixed on the mobile phones held in the palms of their hands like compasses.”

When a parent’s night at the local school ends in death questions need to be asked, was it an accident? Was it murder? The masks of perfection that parents have been wearing all year are starting to slip, but it all started long before.

Now, this isn’t my normal read, I’ll put that out there to start. I was part of a book club and this was the book of choice. I’d tried another Liane Moriarty book in the past and struggled with the characters, so I was a little apprehensive when starting but hearing everyone rave about it, I gave it a go.

This is very much a book about the wars Mums have in the playground, the stuff that is in my nightmares. The novel focuses on three women, each very different. Madeleine is battling with bringing up her teenage daughter, her son and the fact that her daughter is in the same class with her ex-husband’s new daughter. Celeste has a life that seems perfect with her twin boys and charming husband, but demons are lurking beneath the surface. And finally, we have Jane, a young mother who has moved to town with her son Ziggy to start a new life. All three become friends and help each other get through the school year.

Now I know, I know so many people loved this novel but the unnecessary drama drove me absolutely mad. This Mum was bickering with this one and this child was accused of this. I think if it wasn’t for knowing someone was going to be murdered I would have stopped and put the book down a few chapters in. While I was intrigued by the trio, in particular, I found them all to be quite stereotypical. It might be because I haven’t experienced it myself but I just struggled to care about the whole ‘he said, she said’  situations within in novel.

That said, I will admit that the mystery of the death drew me in. Moriarty uses twists throughout to keep your attention, which is something I personally needed. While some, I worked out quite early on others, such as the big twist toward the end really threw me (so much so my best friend took a picture of me at that moment). So, in that respect there is a reason to read.

Overall, I think that there is reason to read the novel but I give fair warning that if you don’t want to read about unnecessary drama, this isn’t the novel for you. There are some serious themes touched on throughout, but for me personally, it took too long to get to those.

I gave this novel 3 stars. Admittedly, it did engage me eventually but I just felt it took a little too long and if I had just picked it up from the library I would have probably not gotten to the end! That said, I would quite like to watch the television series as I feel this would play out much better on screen rather than in a novel!

23 Things I’ve Learned in 23 Years

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Yesterday I turned 23! I’m determined to make this a good year for me and already have some really exciting things planned but it made me think, what have I learned in the past 23 years on this planet? Well, here it goes…

You know your body better than anyone

There have been so many times that I’ve felt something wasn’t right and after being persistent with my doctors or consultants have been proven right. Listen to your own body and don’t be embarrassed to get a second or even third opinion.

You’re allowed to change your mind

I’ve changed my mind on so many things. It’s all part of growing up, adapting and changing. This isn’t always a bad thing! In so many situations you can and will change your mind.

Feminism is incredible 

Just like I said above changing your mind is allowed, I completely changed my mind on Feminism as I got more educated. It’s such a brilliant thing promoting equality, which is why I started my ‘Feminist Friday‘ series.

Everyone makes mistakes 

And that’s ok! It’s definitely a part of growing up. I am still a perfectionist and really struggle when I make mistakes so I have to remember this, almost on a daily basis.

Not everyone is meant to be in your life forever 

This was so hard but I’m a firm believer in this. Some people are meant to be around for a reason and then go.

Fun is what you make of it 

Sometimes I just like grabbing some dinner on a Friday night, others I like going out for a drink, others I like getting an early night. Fun is different for every person! Own it 🙂

Should is a shitty word 

I HATE the word ‘should’. Why is it even a thing! It just stresses us out, no, no, no, no.

 But No is a great one 

I’m still not great at using the word ‘no’ but it’s a powerful one and one to learn how to use.

Me time is so important

It’s not selfish. We all need some time to ourselves and that’s good for you! Personally, I like to curl up and read, write, watch YouTube whatever I feel like!

No one has the right to make you unhappy 

No one at all, whether that be family, friends, partners, colleagues. I spent too long letting other people impact my happiness, no more.

Mental Health is as important as physical health! 

Repeat, repeat, repeat!

If you don’t ask you don’t get

The worst someone can say is no.

How you see yourself isn’t always how others see you 

I’m not always the nicest to myself, think about the way your friends and those who love you see you. Trust me.

A good book is priceless  

Very few things are better.

Sleep is important, not overrated  

It’s so important to get enough sleep. For me if I don’t get enough sleep I feel really poorly. So, to all who tell me sleep is for the weak, I’ll be in my Harry Potter PJs, snuggled up under the duvet.

A few good friends are worth more than  loads of acquaintances

I used to want to be part of a huge friendship group, then I realised I didn’t really want or need to be. What I did want was to have friends who knew and loved me.

Saving money is important but so is treating yourself sometimes 

I saved constantly through uni and was obsessed with saving. It was also driving around in a car from 1996 that I thought would go on forever. Thankfully my family convinced me that maybe it was time to let go and use my savings to buy another car…

The voices in your head don’t always tell the truth 

They can be your worst enemy, don’t listen to it.

Let go of the rigid life plan 

I had a plan, I had a perfectionist plan. I was going to graduate uni with a first, come out and get a good job, save for a house, get married, have children. Then life happened. I broke my spine and that changed everything. I lost my job, that changed everything. I got a job I loved, everything changed again. I’ve let go of a rigid plan and have goals instead.

Find exercise you love, you’ll thank yourself later 

I was always adamant that I hated exercise. I hated PE at school and thought I’d never like exercise. Then I found horse riding and I fell in love with it. Now, post injury,  I quite like the gym.

It’s ok not to be ok 

I will keep saying this until I’m blue in the face, I even wrote a whole blog about it. You can read it here.

There is nothing wrong with a good night in! 

I go ‘out out’ once a month. I save money and get to stay in my PJs, what’s not to love here?

No one really knows what they’re doing

This is the most important lesson. Everyone is winging it, absolutely winging it.

 

Goodbye 22 – Looking Back on a Weird Year

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As I write this it’s my last day of being 22 and in the words of Hayley Williams of Paramore ’22 is like the worst idea that I have ever had’, I’m not sad to be turning 23, not at all. I’m pretty happy that I’m walking away from a very, very weird year.

There’ve been so many ups and downs to this year, going to see Britney (a dream since I was a little kid) and spending quality time with my Mum was a great way to start 22 but then I lost my hamster, Noodle a few days later. That set the tone for the rest of the year I think.

I had three jobs, in a year which makes me CRINGE so much! The first had to let go of the marketing department (they were a startup and the money needed to go elsewhere), the second I was incredibly unhappy and being let go was one of the best things that could have happened to me, the third was a temp job for 3 months which made me get enough to gain the confidence I needed to get the role I’m in now, which I love.

Ali and I have had a big year too, we moved into our first flat dealing with everything ourselves, we lost two of our beautiful hamsters, Hamski and Noodle and ended up getting our third, Wickett. We’ve both dealt with making big career decisions and have spent a fair amount of time apart.

So, I guess in this big ramble I’m calling a post I’ll say that 22 was really, really, tough. There was a lot of stress, pain and growing up but coming into 23 I feel like I’m going to have a good year, I’ve gotten through a lot and I just want to get the next part started.

Feminist Friday With… Lou Sarabadzic

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For tonight’s Feminist Friday guest post Lou Sarabadzic, a blogger and all around awesome lady, speaks about growing up as a Feminist.

I realised I was a feminist as a child. I must have been 11 or 12, tops. I obviously didn’t know what it meant. I only started wondering about it because almost as soon as I voiced a clear opinion (or heard another girl/woman voice an opinion), however trivial – a terrified grown-up would ask me the question: ‘But you’re not a feminist, right?’ Has there not been such an offended, derisive and reproachful tone in their question, I probably wouldn’t have given it much thought. But people (friends, family, strangers, virtually everyone) sounded so offended that I MIGHT be a feminist, that I MIGHT want to like or defend another woman, that I thought: wait… what does that actually mean?

I asked people. Many people. Mostly grown-ups and teenagers. I read magazines aimed at women. Then I took a dictionary. And the difference between people’s definition and the dictionary’s one was so unbelievably big I wondered if I got the spelling right… I was being told by pretty much everyone that feminists were extreme, violent, aggressive, old-fashioned, ugly and unlovable. And in the dictionary, it just said that it was just a case of defending women’s rights, because for so long, they hadn’t been the same as the men’s (still are not, but it didn’t say…).

My feminism is deeply rooted in anger, and there’s no way I’ll hide that, or try to sugar-coat it. I’m so angry at everything the world sends our way. I’m outraged everyday by what is normalised. I hate that this oppression is everywhere I go, in whatever situation. I hate even more that I am expected to apologise for not liking it, sometimes even asked to be thankful for it. It still pains me to realise each time that I am the one who needs to explain myself for feeling outraged by unequal treatment and obvious violence. Surely, you can’t ignore the shit women have to experience all over the world every freaking day, can you?

I’m in the position of an extremely privileged feminist. I’m white, middle-class, I went to University. I was able to spend years working on rhetoric, studying gender and language/literature to be ready to discuss relevant topics. So many women are not lucky enough to make that choice. In addition, so many women face even more prejudice and experience the most disgusting discrimination because they don’t conform in one way or another: not white enough, not Western enough, not wealthy enough, not straight enough, not sexualised enough, not Cis enough, not female enough…

 I’m convinced as a feminist that intersectionality should be an absolute priority: we need to hear and empower people, not make decisions in their names and patronise them. There are many ways to support intersectionality. As a bookworm, reading is my way of spreading thoughts and ideas: I post excerpts of books I read on Twitter and Facebook. Many of these books are openly feminist. It’s essential that many are from under-represented writers: ethnic minorities, LGBTQIA*, disabled authors… When people say: ‘how could I encourage intersectionality myself? I’m not in power, nor a manager or a journalist, you know!’, I say: well, as privileged human beings we both are, I know a simple, free option: go to the library and borrow books to hear voices we don’t usually hear. Read blogs, articles, I don’t know. Whatever you want to do: read, listen, share.

I strongly believe that feminism is necessary to both individual and collective survival. And we’re not done fighting. So I guess, as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie puts it, we should all be feminists.

Thank you so much, Lou, for this brilliant post. If you’d like to be a part of Feminist Fridays please contact me on chloefmetzger@gmail.com I’d love to hear from you! 

Book Review: Fully Functioning Human (Almost) – Melanie Murphy

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‘I’m just a girl who’s sort of stumbling through life, learning that we all have our own roads to walk – but that it’s still valuable, and rather lovely, to hear about other people’s journeys…’ 

Well, well, well, where do I start when I’m talking about this wonderful book and it’s even more wonderful author. If you didn’t know, Melanie is a Youtuber and a damn good one at that talking about life and sexuality, body positivity, Game of Thrones. So when I heard she was releasing a book I was all over this.

This book covers so much in a mere 300 hundred pages but the best part is that it feels like she’s chatting to you. This is totally in Melanie’s voice and it helps because it’s like a friend is talking to you and chatting about life, the good and the bad.

The book is divided into sections Media and My Mind, Food & Body, Beauty & Confidence, Sex & Sexuality, Love & Happiness. You can tell that in each of the chapters Melanie has poured her heart and soul into each page, without it being soppy.

While of course it has Melanie’s signature positive outlook, something which she credits partially to the Law of Attraction ( I LOVED this) but it doesn’t hide the darkness and I think that’s what I loved most, the openness. All of her struggles and flaws are laid out, to make you feel like we’re all going through the same thing. She talks about her struggles with Eating Disorders, Anxiety, Depression, Acne and also about deeply personal things such as her miscarriage.

I felt there was a perfect balance within the book of the silliness I love Melanie’s channel for and the openness. I didn’t it would impact me as much as it did, but thanks to Melanie I confronted one of my own personal issues, emotional eating  and now I’m taking steps to not use it as a crutch.

This is an incredible book, whether or not you watch Melanie I would recommend this to any young adult who wants to feel like they’re not the only one struggling along. I would also recommend catching up with her Youtube channel . I gave this four stars ****, Melanie is a brilliant writer and I can’t wait to see what she does next.

Long Distance Love.

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It’s been a week and a half since Ali packed up and headed off on a tour bus for two months. This is our first experience at long distance, it’s never been something that we actually had to do and while we were expecting it to happen eventually this came around a lot quicker than we initially anticipated.

So, what’s it been like so far? I think it helps that Ali’s been working a lot of lates and has been away over the summer. That said, it’s definitely not easy. We don’t get that long to talk on the phone which is tough, thankfully we can text and on his day off we can Facetime. We’ve been side by side since we were kids and I think the longest we’ve gone without seeing each other is a few weeks, it’s odd.

There’s definite loneliness and I think the thing I miss most is having everyday access to hugs. Which wasn’t something I thought I would be bothered about, but there we are! This is definitely a learning curve and every day I am so proud of the great job he’s doing, but at the same time I’m definitely looking forward to having cuddles when I next see him.

Typo Haul!

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I found a new shop to share my love for all things organisation, stationary EVERYTHING! I went back to my old stomping ground of Kingston a few weeks ago and I’d heard about this shop, looked it up online, nothing could prepare me for my excitement and wants to buy all the things! So, when payday came and so did a 30% off sale online I had to treat myself, just a little bit. So, how about a long overdue haul?!

First of all, can we please appreciate the packaging. This came and genuinely fooled my boss into thinking that I’d been sent this massive present (I wish). This is the most amazing packaging and I love it. It was also really well packed, a lot of protection. I’ll be ordering again.

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Doughnut cushion – £15

Ali and I saw this in the Kingston store and I fell in love with it, next on my list is the burger. It’s so comfy and bright. It looks awesome in my living room.

iPhone Lenses Macro and Wide Lens – £7.00 

Ali picked these up first and after seeing how cool they were and the detail you can get (on the right is my sofa using the Macro lens). I know that there are other sets available too so I’m hoping I can pick those up too!

Notepads – £2.50 

I could have bought so many more of these. They have amazing designs and even some of The Simpsons. As you all know I love a good positive quote and these were perfect.

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Varsity Laptop Case 13’3 inches – £20 

I’ve needed a new laptop case for so long, I saw this and fell in love with it. This is one of my favourite colours and it’s just such a beautiful design. I’ve seen a matching bottle too!

 

If you want to look at these or some of the amazing other stuff that’s in my wish list then you can visit the Typo website! I know where my birthday money is going to go!  This is not a sponsored post, I just wanted to share my love for a new brand I’ve found! I hope you guys love it too!

World Suicide Prevention Day 2017 – Tips for Tough Days

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It’s World Suicide Prevention Day 2017, each year it’s something that I dedicate a post to because it’s important. The fact that we need a day for suicide prevention shows something. We live incredibly busy lives, we’re constantly going, going, going, looking at the world around us and having 24-hour news and updates on the good, and bad in the world. It can all get a little too much. When you’re at your lowest ebb, and suicide seems like an option, it’s hard to know what to do to help, if there is any help at all when you’re slowed down struggling to cope while the world seems so fast. So, for this year I wanted to share some tips, for the days when everything seems too much.

Know that it’s ok to unplug

I love social media and growing my following BUT, sometimes it’s too much. To see other people seemingly having a great time when you’re not feeling great it’s ok to switch off for a while and turn off your internet and just be.

Speak to, or be around, people that love you 

This is so important. It doesn’t matter who these people are, but it can help to be cared for in the smallest of ways.

Get some natural light 

Hear me out. I’ve been in those times where my mind tells me to just lie in the darkness and just sleep, mainly when I was living alone at uni. When you get up, open the curtains or try to go outside for 10-15 minutes. Natural light can really do you good. If not you can get a lamp to replicate light, which also helps with SAD (Seasonal Affectiveness Disorder).

Try and do something you enjoy 

I know it can be really hard when you’re in the darkest parts of depression but even a little something can make you feel a little better. Maybe listen to an album you like, do something creative, cook? Whatever you feel up to doing. I, personally, try to listen to some music or write.

Allow yourself to cry 

My boyfriend is on tour right now, it’s tough. For the past week I’ve been trying to keep myself busy all the time, every evening pushing my mind and my body to distract myself. Yesterday I finally let myself acknowledge that I was missing him and had a good old ‘ugly cry’, didn’t set my alarm and just slept for as long as my body needed.

Know it’s ok not to be ok 

I wrote a whole post on this a while back, it’s ok not to feel ok. It’s part of life and if you have a mental illness it’s a part of life you know all too well. We have down days, sometimes we relapse, it’s all part of recovery.

Know that someone loves you

It can be so hard to remember this. Someone in the world loves you, so much. You’re worth this life. I promise.

If you need any help or are feeling suicidal please, please talk to someone. In the UK you can contact the Samaritans, they can talk things over with you on 116 123. If you feel like you’re in immediate danger of harming yourself please call an ambulance.