Tag: blogger

Taking a Break!

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Hello, hello, hello!

This week I’m doing something that I rarely do and I’m not sure if I’ll achieve…I’m taking a break?! Not from blogging but I’ve booked a week off work to just have some downtime. I’ve only got one day planned and that’s it which feels super weird and that’s not like me.

I’m calling a nerd alert right here but I’m terrible at taking breaks. Even when I was at uni I’d fill up my holidays so that I was doing something all the time whether that was working or doing extra reading etc. I’m a definitely a workaholic and it’s both a blessing and curse. That said, I want to be strict this time and actually give myself time to chill out.

So, I’ve got a stack of books that I’m looking forward to choosing from, my comfy clothes are washed and I have a few empty notebooks that I might see if I feel like writing in. Best of all though, I have Ali at home for the week so we can actually spend some time together.

As a personal thing, I think it’s always been in my mind that I want to feel useful at all times. I want to make sure I’m trying to do my very best and getting ahead of the game. So actually switching off and not stressing and worrying about what’s going on is hard for me.

For tomorrow though, I’m out in Portsmouth taking a wander around the shops with some sea air my Mum, Sister and Grandparents…it slightly helps that there’s a Cadbury shop which is completely my weakness. Fun fact, the HMV at Gunwharf Quays is also the place where I bought Mean Girls for the first time and we all know how that obsession went.

Anyway, I guess this is a rambling post but, why not? Let’s see if I actually stick to chilling out this week!

 

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Monthly Favourites – February

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Books

 

I read a lot of books this month once again (a mix of paperback, ebook and audiobook) but these three really stood out! After starting the A Court of Thorns and Roses series last month I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the season. I finished these very early on in the month and I already want to read them again…I’m serious. For non-fiction in February, I listened to Brave by Rose McGowan, I had no idea who she was from films just that Rose had started a movement. It’s not an easy read but it’s important and will blow you away. You can read about all the books I read this month here.

Fashion

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Only one fashion favourite this month and it’s this adorable dress from Primark! My grandparents picked this up for me and it is SO flattering. I love a dress where I can easily throw extra layers underneath!

Home

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I finally, finally, finally went to IKEA at the beginning of the month and got a second bookcase! Although it doesn’t look too full here there might still be a few books at my parent’s house that I need to bring over…oops! This is one of the slim Billy Bookcases and I looooove it!

Life 

 

This month it was Valentine’s Day and I was given a giant dragon, which has been named Puff after Ali drove all around the local towns looking for a Unicorn he wanted to get me, they’d sold out! I’ve also had some quality time with Wickett as well as my lovely Godkids Lexi and Ollie and finally, I managed to pick up some new Pop Vinyl’s! Don’t you think Ron and Ginny look fab?!

Top Five Posts

Growing Up With Young Parents 

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

Unpopular Opinions Book Tag! 

Book Review: Everything I Know About Love – Dolly Alderton 

7 Things I Wish I’d Known As A New Graduate 

You’re a Blogger

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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.

My Love-Hate Relationship With Exercise

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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.

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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

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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?

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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’

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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.

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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!

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January Favourites!

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Well, we’ve finally got to the end of January! A long and pretty gloomy month as far as the outside goes! For the majority of us, it’s also meant that there hasn’t been a lot of spare cash, so it’s been a pretty tight month too, with little to spend so this is definitely going to be a shorter favourites post than usual.

 

Books

It’s been an amazing month for books, so much so I wrote a roundup for the month, but there are three that I have to mention. The first hasn’t been released yet, but you’re going to want to add it to your TBR. Only Child by Rhiannon Navin is a tough read that focuses on the aftermath of a school shooting from a child’s perspective. Next up is A Court of Thorns and Roses, something that I have finally given into and fallen in love with, I can’t wait to keep reading the series, I can’t recommend it highly enough. Finally, Love, Hate & Other Filters is a stunning debut and will be on top 10 lists this year, I have no doubt, read my review here.

 

Couple Paramore 2010, 2013, 2014, 2018

Music

My biggest music highlight was going to see Paramore for the 4th time! Every time I see them I feel like I reach another big point in my life. The best part was seeing it with Ali. I wrote about it here.

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Watching 

I started watching back in November I think? I am definitely hooked though. I’m not a hardcore Trekky but the series is absolutely incredible and I’m really excited to see where it goes next.

 

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Fashion

With money being tight this month there wasn’t much to go on fashion or beauty BUT there was one. I picked this up in New Look for under £5! I absolutely love the fact it compliments my figure after a bit of weight loss too!

Top 5 Blogs 

Life Update: I’m Being Published! 

I’ve Been Hiding My Face! 

How’s 2018 Going So Far

Harry Potter Haul: Updated

My Goals For 2018

 

What were some of your favourites, anything I should check out in February? Or maybe one of mine has inspired you! Let me know in the comments below!

January – A Great Month For Books!

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We’re almost through the first month of the year already which, let’s be honest, is welcome for many of us (anyone else crawling towards payday?). That said it’s been an absolutely brilliant month for books, in total I’ve read 13 books at the time of writing in this month (!!).

I don’t quite know how I’ve managed so many this month but I’m happy with it, especially as 8 of them were 4 and 5 star reads. So, why not share them with you and hopefully you can get some great recommendations and it’s a varied lot for you all.

Love, Hate & Other Filters – Samira Ahmed 

A wonderful debut about growing up and balancing cultures in the US today. This was a wonderfully written novel and tackles Islamaphobia head on. You can read my review here.

Night – Elie Wiesel

Deemed a classic piece of Holocaust literature I wanted to read this. It’s an absolutely heartbreaking novel and reiterated the horrors of the camps.

Promise Me, Dad – Joe Biden 

I read this after watching an interview with Joe Biden and Stephen Colbert. Joe seemed like a genuinely nice guy who cared a lot about his country. I listened to the audiobook of this and hearing the emotion in his voice broke my heart. A truly unique look at dealing with the loss of a loved one.

Only Child – Rhiannon Niven 

This is going to be a bestseller and if it’s not there’s something wrong with the world. This is brilliantly written and emotional novel, from the perspective of a child who survived a school shooting, losing his older brother in the process. An incredibly emotional read. Look out for my blog tour post on the 22nd Feb!

Everything I Know About Love – Dolly Alderton 

A brilliantly funny but also open look into the life of Dolly Alderton. This was a great read and I feel like it talks to twenty-somethings about similar experiences. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book and my review will be coming up on Thursday!

The Secret History of Us – Jessi Kirby 

I was sent this by the lovely people at Harper 360 and wow, wow, wow. Memory loss, complicated relationships and trying to rebuild after trauma. Loved it, review to come in Feb!

A Court of Thorns and Roses – Sarah J Maas

I’m kicking myself for not picking this up before. I’d seen the ACOTAR books being raved about all over the internet and I just decided to go for it. This was incredible, if I didn’t have it in my hands I was thinking about it, a week after I finished I was still thinking about it. When I saw the next in the series I had to buy it. So, so, so good.

50 Queers Who Changed The World – Dan Jones 

I always want to learn more, I found this in Foyles on a trip to London and it seemed interesting. This was a brilliant look at Dan Jones’s perspective of figures of importance in the LGBTQ community. The illustrations were brilliant too!

 

How was your reading month? Let me know in the comments below!

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Life Update: I’m Being Published!

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I have some super exciting news! I’m going to be published! Yes, a piece of my work is going to be published in an actual physical book! The plan for tonight was to do my normal Thursday book review, but then I got an email. So, how did this come about?

I was lucky enough back in 2015 to be offered the chance to go to Athens as part of Kingston Writing School and I got to learn from the wonderful K.J. Orr about writing as well as being with other writers. I loved the course, I’d happily go back again to learn. This summer that will have been 3 years ago. Each year writers of the Summer School get the opportunity to submit pieces for an anthology.

I submitted last year and, unfortunately, didn’t get chosen which is fine because I don’t think it was my best work. This year, however, I wrote two poems, worked on them and submitted them in the new year. I wish I could say forgot about them but I didn’t I checked my email every day and…it worked.

I got the confirmation email today and I’m so, so excited. I love to write, I’ve always loved to write as soon as I learnt how to. Knowing that my name, my piece is going to be in a book is incredible. I also pretty sure that it’s only the start. I want and am working on writing my first novel in a series.

I’m so excited and I couldn’t wait to share this with you because honestly, I feel like writing my blog for the past few years has made me a better writer. I think about my content, the language and what you guys want to read alongside my own ideas. So a big thank you to everyone who reads my blog!

I’ll keep you all updated!