USA Goodies!!

Nov 3, 2015Nov 3, 20156 Comments

Today my family finally came back from America! It’s been super weird getting pictures sent to me and having to FaceTime them rather that just a call when I felt like it, my family have never been abroad without me but alas missing third year lectures was not an option. So instead they went shopping for me in return for me looking after my sisters hamster Fudge and you know not telling the world they’re away. So here are most of the gifts they got me, so exciting!

Star Wars cups. STAR WARS CUPS. So I watched Star Wars 4,5 and 6 for the first time all the way through and now I’m obsessed. I want anything and everything Star Wars, my Dad found these in a discount store and I’m so excited! They’re all so cuttttteeeeee.

Pops! Pops everywhere!! So as any of you who follow me on Instagram I have a little bit of an obsession/ collection with Funko Pops as I pointed out in my Comic Con post and so Mum was armed with a list of what to look out for while in the US. The ones I put down were all sold out, which sucks but she still found some beauties. I got the new Katniss, Spirit Yoda, and exclusive Holiday Dancing Groot and the adorable Lilo I’ve had my eye on for a while. Yay for Pops!

All the candy ever. There was halloween events in Florida and so of course they went for them. My Mum got two full bags, my sister three and my Dad another two, my Dad’s not a giant sweet person so I got his but I’m pretty sure that Mum’s going to give me some more the next time I got home mwhaha. I also got an adorable penguin with Lollipop, Taffy, Rock Lollipops and Milk Duds. Hello sugar highs! I’m hopefully going to do a candy post too with my favourites.

I finally have some black and white converses after mine went in holes (again) and an ace Vans t-shirt to match. Some awesome m&ms, a chocolate frog and a Hard Rock pin badge. Oh and let’s not forget my new wand Harry Potter’s no less! I also got some comic books too but I haven’t taken a picture of those but I’m sure they’ll feature on Instagram soon! I’m so grateful for all my gifts and have a great time with Fudge spending quality time together.

Turning 21 – What a birthday!

Sep 20, 2015Sep 20, 20153 Comments

I’m writing this on what is the last night I am celebrating turning 21! It’s been a great few weeks, kicking off with my trip to Amsterdam earlier this month with the girls, followed by a celebration with my Dad’s side of the family Tuesday, seeing Lucy and my baby girl Lexi in the day on Wednesday and my Little Mermaid themed party with my Mum’s side of the family in the afternoon evening.

Thursday was pretty average for birthday week with band practice and waiting up with Ali to see in my 21st birthday and finally getting my Ron Pop figure! I woke up to hugs, a load of Facebook messages and texts, to get ready for my Mum coming. I always need to see my parents on my birthday, it’s like you know they’re responsible for me being in the world at all so it’s only right that I see them. For my first present I received a special hardback anniversary edition of To Kill a Mockingbird, one of my favourite books.

We headed into town for some shopping and of course a cocktail, where I also got a free shot for my birthday! After I had to go and get my fox onesie I’d had my eyes on for a week so that I could spend my hangover day in style… I knew I’d have a messy night out, before being met by Ali….with more Pops! Dumbledore and Snape!! I was also met by Joe later with a copy of Y the last man (you should totally check it out) and an incredible colouring book. I really couldn’t wait to meet up with Dad and Summer too 🙂

When they finally got here after my sister was let out of school I was met with this beauty..

Yup, this was handmade by my sister as my birthday cake. I got some amazing presents, a Pandora ring I’ve wanted for ages, a new Dolphin charm, mug, wine glass (for vodka, obviously) and I got taken out to dinner with my family, Ali and Joe came along too (with Kermit). I love my family so much and just being with them on my birthday was so special and I think we have a new family picture too!

I’ve had cards from so many people too, including Eleanor and Maisha in New Zealand! My family, Ali’s family, friends, nearly 100 messages on Facebook and then I got a huge surprise when I went to the pub. I couldn’t believe that over 20 people turned up to celebrate with me, friends from all across my life and I was so overwhelmed by it all. I even got more gifts! A Voldemort Pop from Ben and Abbie, a Jessica Rabbit Pop from Laura (because she looks like me!), a lovely quote to go on my wall and earrings from Dani, a book of positive quotes from Aline and Lush stuff from Amy and Peter. I think you can tell from my smile in the pictures how happy I was.

And those are just some of the pictures! I just felt so loved all day and it’s something I’ll cherish forever. I also felt loved when Ali took me home and put me in my fox onesie before letting me sleep off the mound of drinks that people had bought me! Luckily for me I also woke up with only a slight headache. Win!

Today was the last part of my celebrations as Ali’s Sister, Mum, her boyfriend came for lunch, bringing with them more presents. From Ali’s Mum and her boyfriend I received a MAC ‘look in a box’ with a lipstick, lip gloss and liner and from Ali’s sister a beautiful copy of Alice in Wonderland, a beautiful novel I’ve never had the chance to read.

I’m a little sad that it’s all over now but I have this overwhelming love and feeling of awe at how many people took time out of their day to say happy birthday, send a message, see me or anything else. Thank you to each and every one of you, I think this has to have been the best birthday ever. Who knows what this year is going to bring but I really, really hope this is the start of another great chapter, oh and to top it off I now have over 1000 Twitter followers, another goal accomplished!

Me, now 21.

The Queen’s not the only one with two birthdays

Sep 16, 20151 Comment

For the past two days I have been spoilt by my family. Because there is so many of them and my flat is more than a little cosy I decided to come home and visit both grandparents to see everyone and celebrate my 21st a few days early.

I spent yesterday in town with my sister, getting my hair cut and spending more than a little on the new H&M beauty range (but more in that in another blog post). Later I popped to see my Dads family for presents and cake.

Today I was on the move again (although my spine really has been protesting), to meet one of my oldest friends and beautiful goddaughter to exchange birthday presents. From Lucy and Lexi I received a necklace of Hermione’s wand and a Harley Quinn graphic novel. I had so much fun with a little girl who melts my heart every time and a great friend in her Mum.

Now, there have been whispers and mentions of surprises all week. I was left at home while my Mum went ahead to my grandparents house, only to arrive and find this…

A little family party with a Little Mermaid theme, my favourite princess as a kid!! A badass cake, plates, customised banners, pictures of me growing up! I couldn’t have asked for more, my Mum really outdid her surprises this time! I felt like a kid again and it was obvious how much time and effort had gone into this and all for me!

I’ve been thoroughly spoilt in terms of gifts as well and I’m so happy with all of them, a new pandora necklace and charm, some little mermaid goodies and another charm for my Pandora bracelet. I can’t believe I feel this loved and it’s not even my birthday. Oh and we had a brilliant pizza party too thanks to Nanna and Gramps who ordered pizza for everyone!

I think this is going to be a very good week! ❤

Milestones

Sep 14, 2015Leave a comment

I’ve been thinking lately about milestones. I don’t know what it was exactly but I’m guessing it’s a combination of turning 21 (which I don’t understand why it’s a big deal in the UK), seeing more and more of the people I went to school with having children and getting engaged and a lot of my other friends graduating, starting careers and all that jazz. To put it simply milestones freak me out, I’m sure they do for most people. You’re supposed to do this, do that at a certain age, a certain time. For girls there’s a choice between being a mother and being a career woman, because we’re told we can’t have it all.

In some ways I’m lucky, I found the love of my life when I was 13 years old and we live together. Now we’re more than happy together, we’re both doing degrees we love and have careers that we want, but for everyone else it’s not enough. Everyone asks me when we’ll get married, when we’ll have a baby (never if). I just feel a bit stuck and part of that is because I am a woman. Ali NEVER gets asked when he’ll be a father, he’s asked about his job and what he’s going to do for work, it’s all pretty frustrating. I know that I’m an intelligent woman and I have big aspirations, so why do people ask about these ‘traditional’ things.

I’m in no way saying that people my age shouldn’t be married or have children, most of the women in my family had babies by the time they were my age and they’ve all taught me so much. My best friend became a mother at 17 and she’s one of the most awesome ones I know.The thing is my dream right now is walking across that stage to pick up my degree, being able to treat myself with money I’ve earnt and being happy. I will have children, I’d love to be a mum at some point but I wish people would understand there is so much more to me than the fact I can grow a human. I liked this picture below, it definitely made me smile.

This isn’t an anti-children post, which is how some will read it, it’s just a frustration that sometimes I’m judged by these milestones when I have other amazing things going on. I hate that I have to think about body clocks and all that crap when I’m trying to plan things out about where I want to be in my life, because I’ve been bombarded with media listing risks and problems. Like I said why am I even thinking about this as a twenty year old!

I appreciate that this post might not make much sense, I don’t even know if it does to me, but I can’t be the only one who feels like this. Who knows how I’ll feel in a month, a year or ten but I just want it to be on my own terms, not because of supposed milestones and other people’s ideas of what happiness is.

My Little Monkeys – Family Trip to Longleat

Aug 25, 2015Aug 27, 2015Leave a comment

I spent today in the beautiful floods of an August’s day at Longleat Safari Park! It’s not often that I spend time with my little cousins all at the same time actually doing something together so we all got loaded up into two cars at 8am (I know, out of the house at that hour, it felt very alien) and headed down.

Of course seeing as we’d pre paid and planned the day it hammered down constantly, that said though it was a really great day. We say so many animals Giraffes that the kids could feed, Zebras, Deer (which got very friendly with us to the point of wanting to get in the car), Lions, Tigers and Wolves. The initial idea was to take my super awesome big camera and take a load of shots, but because of the rain the only ones I have aren’t that good and I haven’t managed to pinch my sisters for this blog!

I had to use a wheelchair again because it was just too much but it didn’t put a downer on the day. All the kids were fighting over who would push me, I had little Lola sitting on my lap for cuddles for the entire day. The torrential downpour did soak me through and make me so, so cold though, damn the British weather. I did do something a little differently though, after taking Lola through the Butterfly enclosure (her little face was the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen) we came to a part where you could hold/ pet animals. Namely a Snake and a Tarantula. Yep. I don’t like snakes, I’ve held one before but I just don’t like the way they move, for some reason I wanted to hold the spider though, she was called Georgie the Chilian Rose Tarantula. Believe it or not she was actually pretty cute and super soft. Not something I ever thought I’d say.

Going at the age of 20 might be a little different from the last time I went, which was well over 10 years ago. I really enjoyed myself despite the rain and all. It might not seem super exciting but I don’t spend a lot of time with the little ones now that I’ve moved and they’re turning into such awesome little people 🙂

Babyface strikes again

Aug 4, 20152 Comments

At the age of 20 and 11 months, I still manage to get ID’d if I ask for a drink with my meal at a restaurant as well as normally being given a children’s menu. Tonight on a long awaited family meal for my Nanna’s birthday my family got to have a laugh as I was asked to get my ID out in front of all of them. It is a blessing and a curse having a baby face. I get told time and time again that when I’m 30 I’ll be grateful for it. That might be so but it doesn’t help when you’re trying to buy a 15 DVD in HMV or when people ask if my Mum and Dad are home.The picture above is how I looked tonight, make up on, hair straightened and nice clothes but alas, I still look 16.

That said, if you look at the rest of my family they all look young for their age, especially my parents, neither of them look like they’re in their 40s. You can see here that my Mum’s side all have young faces too…

It’s not all bad, I mean I can still get away with kids tickets on the train most of the time, if I’m not feeling too hungry the kids meal is normally a good option and every now and again because I’m so tiny I can fit into my little sisters hoodies (kids clothes are also cheaper). I don’t want to be a baby face forever though, especially while at work and people think you’re the kid on school work experience. ‘I’m 21′ I want to shout at them ’21!!!!!!!’.

This was just a quick blog tonight guys, I’m sorry last nights blog wasn’t posted I was completely absorbed in a Paula Daly book (the review for which will be out in a few weeks!). Back to business though are there any fellow baby faces reading this? What is the most embarrassing thing to happen because you look young? Or maybe you have something you really enjoy! Let me know!

Basingstooooooke

Jul 11, 2015Jul 12, 20153 Comments

Me, Ali, Rhys, Ben, Dan and my bodyguard for the day, Joe.

Just a quick blog to say how awesome Basingstoke Live was! As usual a wicked crowd, the boys were great and I had a fab time, surrounded by friends and family. I might have had to sit down for a good part of the set (damn spine), but I think it was the best my voice has ever sounded. Now I’m off to get some Chinese food and play Cards Against Humanity. Oh and if you want to check us out (you know you do) go visit http://www.nopeopleclub.com!

10 things I’ve learnt in the last month

May 25, 2015May 25, 20151 Comment

Yesterday was 1 month since I fell off Rose, I couldn’t believe how quickly one month had gone. Although I still have a month until my next spine appointment, I will have hopefully made some more improvements. Where am I at the moment? I’m still taking very strong painkillers and have trouble getting up but I can walk that little bit further than before. I was quite poorly yesterday night (hence no blog) but I wanted to use today’s to think about some of the things I’ve learnt this month while I’ve been resting. Enjoy 🙂

1. Fear of falling is never a good thing

When I fell from Rose, I wasn’t scared. I knew that I had to just let go, it was only a fall. Ok, yes I ended up with much more than just an initial bruise BUT I want to get that feeling back. I want to get that feeling where I’m not scared of falling because I can’t just go around scared whenever I ride. I kind of want to apply it to other areas of my life too. I’m a total perfectionist, I’m absolutely terrified of failing, especially academically. So maybe I can relax a little? Just enough so I’m not a huge ball of stress all through third year.

I will get back to being this fearless on a horse!

2. How lucky I am

I am walking. I am not permanently in a wheelchair and I’m so grateful. The lack of finding the fractures meant I went back to my normal life, I could have very easily ended up paralysed. I’ve been cared for by the people who matter and I’m still getting there but it looks like I’m going to recover from this, for that I am so,so lucky.

3. I want to be financially secure so I can afford private healthcare once I’ve graduated

I don’t want the NHS to be privatised because for most of my life it’s been there and I’m glad we can rely on a National System. That said, I wasn’t treated well with this serious injury, I’ve had to wait and push and be in extreme pain for appointments and I still don’t have my back brace never mind that the fractures were missed. It’s one of my goals in life to have private healthcare because I know I will be treated with the best possible care, it’s sad but true.

4. I have lots of wonderful people around me

My family is incredible and so are my friends. I’ve had this outpouring of love from all of my friends and family. Cards have been sent, I’ve been accompanied to hospital, Ali’d had to help me move, I’ve been pushed in my wheelchair and made to smile about it, comments,presents and messages. I feel so loved and appreciated everything so, so much.

5. Sometimes it’s ok that things don’t go to plan

As you all know I was meant to go to Prague with Eleanor and Dani this month. I’d been counting down for so long and I couldn’t go. I was devastated to say the least and I cried, a lot. The thing is although I didn’t get to go to Prague, I got invited to the Society Awards instead and saw my society win an award, as well as another one of my best friends win an award. Am I still sad that I missed out on time with El and Dani? Of course I am but at least I still got to smile with two of my other best friends.

6. You can always embarrass yourself in front of your partner, no matter how long you’ve been together

Ali and I have been together for seven years and yet I still find ways to embarrass myself. I’ve been taking showers as I can stand up in the warm water, it helps the pain. I decided my legs NEEDED shaving so I sat down in the bath…then realised I was stuck. Ali then had to come and lift me out of the bath, it was a beautiful moment. I was so embarrassed, love huh?

7. There are other ways to let out pain and frustration

In the past when I was in the darkest parts of depression I didn’t know how to let my pain and frustration out in a positive way, now it’s a lot better. I write a lot or I draw sometimes. There are so many things that you can do to let it all out, I’ll be writing a post in the future about it.

8. Friends are priceless

I couldn’t have kept my spirits up the way I have without my friends, they’ve been incredible. They’ve visited or messaged me and kept my spirits up with I’ve been very low and they haven’t gotten frustrated when it takes me so long to walk anywhere.Thank you to all of you, I love you so much.

9. A lot needs to be done for people who are permanently in wheelchairs

I’ve gone out in my wheelchair twice and I’ve noticed this. While the majority of people have been nice and helpful I’ve been moaned at my people in cars for not being off the road the second the light turns green for them, I’ve been sighed at when someone needs to change their path because of my wheelchair and I’ve been walked in front of. This is where angry Chloe happens who doesn’t give a monkeys, I usually shout after them. It’s been so hard getting about in the wheelchair, to get up the pavement is a major issue, getting into shops, getting around in general! More needs to be done for people in wheelchairs to make their lives easier!

10. Pain doesn’t mean the end of happiness

I’ve been pretty low through all this but I’ve still managed happiness. I can stil laugh with my friends and I’ve adapted things. I’m not saying I don’t get upset, frustrated and angry, but I can still achieve happiness even if it’s harder.

Still smiling

Things get better!

May 14, 2015May 15, 2015Leave a comment

Hello you lovely lot!

Yesterday I was pretty down, I’m sure a lot of you saw it, I needed to get all the stress and anxiety and worries I had written down because I promised all of you I would be honest. Today was met with another trip to Kingston Hospital and desperately hoping something would be sorted. My lovely Mum came up today to come with me so that Ali could go and record Bass with the boys.

Now I’m very slow at walking at the moment, I’m hardly walking at all. So I met my Mum for a hot chocolate on this miserable rainy day and managed to find a Sylvia Plath book to pick me up a little bit before the big appointment, but that wasn’t what was amazing about today. This morning I started reading Katie Piper’s ‘Things Get Better’ after the horrible lows and anxiety yesterday. I tweeted about it and then the BEST thing happened KATIE REPLIED! THE KATIE PIPER!!! Now I’m a huge fan of her’s she stands for everything I want to be and believe in. It gave me the push I needed to get me through the day! I want to get real copies of all her books, especially ‘Start your day with Katie’ to help with my positivity.

My tweet from Katie Piper!!! 🙂

Mum and I braved the rain and wind to get the bus to the hospital (thankfully the passengers and bus drivers were really helpful today, thank you!). I was terrified. Nobody had really told me what to expect or what could happen, the last I knew they were still on the edge of debating surgery. So I sat and waited to be called through for what seemed like ages until a friendly nurse called me through. The walk down the corridor was possibly the longest and most embarrasing. It’s painful to walk so I walk with tiny steps, holding on to the wall for support and I could see the sympathy in everyone’s faces while mine was going red with both determination and embarrassment. When I finally got into the room again the nurses were great getting me settled to wait for the doctor.

I try not to cry in these situations, I want to seem like a good patient, that I appreciate what doctors do. I held my Mum’s hand while waiting and just hoped they wouldn’t go ahead with surgery. The doctor was sweet, quick and good at what he had to do. He checked me over, answered my questions and apologised for the rudeness of A&E a few days before. Apparently my legs are strong, which is a happy surprise for me, he could see how much pain I was in and tried to make it as quick as possible. I was told a back brace would be needed, stronger painkillers and a follow up appointment with x rays in 6 weeks. That was it but I felt so much more confident that he knew what he was doing. Then on to physio while the nurse thankfully ran up to put my brace request in for me (it’s special equipment that needs to be ordered in).

I only had to wait 10 minutes to see my lovely physio lady, Linda. She was funny, kind and made me feel good and didn’t push me to see what movement I had for now! I really liked her and she me so now I have physio lined up asap but the good news is I should fully recover. I’ve also been suggested a wheelchair (now purchased) for days out and NOT to push myself too hard at all, like I kind of have been.

With the good news I called around, I’m also still allowed to go to Athens! Then it was off to buy a few new pair of PJs, The Simpsons ones, The Little Mermaid, Monsters Inc, Cola ones – thank you Primark! Finally Mum, Ali and I went for some dinner before I got taken home to rest again, it had been quite a painful day.

I’m still struggling with all of this, I know how lucky I am but I’m nervous about the Brace and Wheelchair. No ones ever been able to see something wrong with me, I get worried about how people will react, even if it is temporary. It might seem silly but I’m trying to work through and not get too angry/frustrated as I have been.

So there you go! Fully up to date and hopefully my wheelchair will be here after the weekend and I’ll have news on the rest of my appointments soon. I’m still super bored and in bed most of the time so I’m coming up with new things for the blog but I’d love for you guys to chat to me too, leave me a comment, tweet me, email me! I love to hear from you all!

Northern Adventures & Shopping

Apr 13, 2015Apr 13, 2015Leave a comment

I’ve been let loose in the North for a few days now after travelling up on Saturday but today was the first day we really got out of the house and did some exploring. Ali’s Dad drove us around today to see some of the sights of County Durham and Newcastle. It was my first time in Newcastle, so I was pretty excited as some of my Dad’s side of the family came from up here.

First stop The Angel of the North. I’d seen the angel from a distance the last time I came up to Durham about 4/5 years ago, but we never actually went up to see it. So Philip (Ali’s Dad) took us up and it was incredible. I’ve always thought the angel was slightly creepy but the way it’s been built is amazing. Reading the signs around it’s also a great way to remember how strong the North once was, how the country would not have been the same without the work done here. It is also in memory of the miners that worked below years ago, there are flowers laid to remember them. The views were also stunning and made a great place for a family picture (above) of Ali, his sister Claire and their Dad, Philip.

Newcastle center

It was a little brighter than yesterday but still damn cold, what can I say I’m a southern girl! We took a drive into Newcastle which is where mainly I went shopping! This is my haul for today.