Sunday Seven: Seven Things My Weekends Are Made For

Aug 21, 2016Leave a comment

pexels-photo-57627-large

Lie Ins

I try not to make plans before 12pm, after 5 days of having to get up early a lie in is all I want most weekends.

pexels-photo-large

Baking

I’m not keen on actually cooking, but baking is entirely different. There’s no pressure if you’re just baking for yourself or for family and, you know, it’s less likely you’ll go disastrously wrong with cookies or cupcakes.

coffee-cup-mug-apple-large

Sofa Days

Being able to curl up with a duvet or big blanket, usually with a stack of books and mug of tea is one of my favourite parts about the weekend.

pexels-photo-103886-large

Good Food

I don’t stress about what I eat at the weekends. If I want a burger, I get a burger. If I want to eat a bag of cheese puffs, I eat a bag of cheese puffs. Life’s too short to be constantly worrying about what you eat and I’m speaking from experience.

11930889_10154225071528206_8684867348378646063_o

Travelling

Depending on where you want to go, a weekend or long weekend can be the perfect time to go exploring. Last weekend I was up in Durham , I’ve also spent a few days in Amsterdam before. Now that we’re working, Ali and I are also looking at going to different places across the UK for the weekend. I love a good relaxing weekend but exploring is great too.

Quality Time

The best part about the weekend for me is being able to spend quality time with the people I love. Waking up and dozing with Ali on a Saturday morning, not having to rush to get up and get showered just makes me so happy. It’s definitely the little things.

Book Bingeing

If I have a free day, I read. It’s as simple as that. I love curling up with a good book (or three) and just blissfully enjoying reading. Since finishing uni I don’t have the time to read as much as I used to, simply because I drive to work, rather than getting the bud everywhere. With that in mind weekends are the best, you can stay up late reading Friday and Saturday with no consequences, win!

Of course there are so many other things I could have added to this list but these are just a few. What do you like spending your weekends or days off doing?

Let me know in the comments below 🙂

My Best Friend

Aug 15, 2016Aug 16, 2016Leave a comment

I met you in a music room.

I kissed you under a tree.

You went red.

You waited for me.

We made music, that the world should have heard.

We grew together to be what we wanted to be.

Now it’s been 8 years and I couldn’t wish for more,

Than my best friend at my side, forever half of a ‘we’.

9 Animals, 9 Lots of Love.

Jul 15, 2016Jul 16, 20162 Comments

I’ve always been around animals. Throughout my entire life I’ve had animals around me and not having any in my first year of university drove me insane. Sometimes animals are better company than people, they might be dependant but they’ll love you unconditionally. Today we had a little bit of a scare with Noodle, she has a little bit of swelling above her eye and so after her first trip to the vets and some (very expensive) medicine the swelling is starting to go down, thank goodness. While I was waiting and worrying I thought of all the animals currently in my life and how much I love them. They don’t last forever so we have to love them as much as possible while we care for them, so here are 9 of my loves (not in order).

Suki

Suk’s is the Miller’s cat, she was one when she was first brought home and has been here ever since. She likes climbing on my laptop, sitting on my feed and pretending she’s starving.

Ed and Lottie

My big fur babies! Lot’s has been with us since she was a puppy and Ed since he was a tiny kitten. They’re both now 9 and 9 months and I couldn’t think of life without them. Lottie has been my constant companion through some really tough parts of my life, she even guards me when I’m sick.

Betsy

Betsy is a new addition to the family. She’s my aunt’s Cockapoo puppy and Ali and I have fallen in love with her. It’s nice having a puppy around, she’s excited by EVERYTHING.

Millie, Monty and Max

These are my MIL’s boyfriends dogs. They’re not the kind of dogs I’m used to BUT they are incredibly sweet and always want cuddles.

Hamski and Noodle

My babies, I picked them out and took them home. These are the first pet’s that are registered as mine that I chose ( I chose Lottie too but she lives with Mum and Dad) and are my responsibility. I can’t explain my love for my girls.

Update: There are two more animals that I adore but I didn’t have good pictures of them. Bob, my Cockatiel who lives with my Mum who sings beautifully and Fudge, my sister’s hamster who’s an absolute cutie.

How about you? Tell me about your pets and what they’re like in the comments below!

Gramps.

Jul 5, 2016Leave a comment

When I was between 1 and 2 years old I would stand in my cot and shout DAN-DAD at the top of my voice until my Gramps came home from work, much to my Mum’s dismay I would not sleep until I knew he was at the house. When I was 7 I went to London to go on the London Eye, go on a boat and see the Tower of London. When I was 13 I would go and sit every Sunday I could and watch TV and have cups of tea while talking about history. When I was 16 I would debate politics for hours. When I was 18 I was taken to the station to get my train to university for the first time. Now I’m 21 and I have a gym buddy and I still sit for hours drinking tea and talking and I still debate politics, although it gets a little more intense now. Today, my Gramps turns 70, he’s one of my favourite people in the world. We’re so close and I count my blessings every day that we are that close and have that relationship.

Happy Birthday Gramps, you’re one in a million.

Book Review: Faceless – Alyssa Sheinmel

Jun 23, 2016Jun 23, 20162 Comments

28482571

Maisie has a good life, she has a boyfriend whom she loves, a great best friend and athletic ability. While out on a run her life changes forever, after a freak accident during a lightning storm leaves her left for dead, she could never imagine her new reality when she wakes up. Maisie wakes up with most of her face destroyed. After coming to the decision to have a face transplant Maisie should feel lucky, but instead she’s fighting herself. How can she look at herself ever again? Will she ever have a normal life, friends? Or will she be confined to first her hospital room and then her house, living the life of a freak?

I picked this up on offer at my local Waterstones a while ago after reading the blurb and immediately wanting to read it. Since reading Katie Piper’s books and meeting her last year disfigurement has been something I’ve been really interested in. The fact that Sheinmel has chosen to write about something that most people have had no experience with or wouldn’t understand just shows her guts as a writer. Very few could pull this off but she has done it with care, attention and incredible character voice. Maisie really comes into her own within a few chapters and we begin to see the complex and difficult situation that no one expects to deal with playing out in front of her.

I will warn you the book is an emotional one, you feel as if you are living alongside Maisie throughout her ordeal. You want to cry when she hates herself or when she feels like giving you. I wanted to reach through the pages and hug her. You also learn a lot though, it’s clear that a lot of research went into this book in the way of medical and the emotional process of someone who is learning to cope with a disfigurement. It also makes you think about other types of injury. I know that there were times when I understood and felt so close to Maisie because I’d felt those same feelings, especially after I had my own accident and we didn’t know what was going to happen (there was a point when we weren’t sure if I was going to lose total feeling in my legs). I felt the confusion, the pain, the expectation from those around you and I understood when she wasn’t sure if she could carry on with her physic therapy, the days when she didn’t feel like it was worth it.

My reasoning for giving it 4.5 rather than a straight 5 stars is simply because I found Maisie to be a little too perfect prior to the accident. Apart from her parents fighting she just seemed very much the all American girl. I guess that’s the only thing that niggled at me a little and it’s not to say it was bad it was just something that meant I didn’t connect to her as much at first. Although within a few chapters I was liking her more and more and by the end of the book I just wanted to know her, if that makes sense?

All in all I would highly recommend this book, it’s incredibly well written and tackles something that most people wouldn’t give too much thought to unless it happened to them or someone they loved. It’s clear that Sheinmel has clear talent and is one to watch on the YA scene. I would also love to hear what happened to Maisie after the end of the novel, how she deals with the rest of her life because I really did fall in love with the character in the end.

Love is Love

Jun 13, 2016Leave a comment

33cbf3ea91357ca5d45f97712787b7fc

I’m writing this with a heavy heart, as a lot of people are around the world. You can’t have missed the terrible news that yesterday a gunman entered Pulse nightclub, murdered 49 people and injured 53. Pulse is a club for LGBT people, this was a planned attack on a community and has since been named the worst attack since 9/11 and the deadliest shooting in the United States. I could get into so much in this post, about my anger about the scum that did this, about my anger towards America’s gun laws but I won’t, because the last thing the world needs right now is more hatred. I refuse to think about him, his twisted ideas. Instead I want to know the names of those who died and those whose lives have changed forever.

I watched the coverage from the moment I got up, when I was first aware, to now. There’s still a tab open on my laptop with BBC updates. What I can say though, and something that hasn’t surprised me is the reaction from the LGBT community, because around the world they have stood together, they are mourning but they are strong. People will attempt to dismiss this, to take away from the fact that this was an attack on the community because of who they are, who they love, but they can’t. The LGBT community and all of us allies are going to follow their lead and do what they do best, we’re going to fight back with love and stand united.

fc07286ab26e248feba026f71c9b8c57 I’ve never understood ‘homophobia’, which FYI isn’t a real thing, I’ve never understood people hating anyone for who they love. I have friends who are gay, know a lot of people in the LGBT society and you know what, they’re just people. So what if they don’t conform to some bullshit social norm, most of us don’t nowadays anyway! I sat yesterday and just tried to understand, asking my boyfriend why? Why would someone do this to innocent people?

We all need to stand up and be counted now, show our solidarity. Hatred will not silence the wonderful, brilliant community. We must stand up and give support to those affected and to every LGBT person, we need to show them we will do whatever they need so that they can feel safe again. We’ll attend Pride, we’ll write blog posts, we’ll tweet our love, we’ll support them and go against anyone who wants to take away their rights. We will be there for them.

Let’s not shy away from that this attack was. This was an attack on the LGBT community, call it what it WAS, unlike the Sky News presenters this morning. I write while holding back the tears and thinking about each and every person lost in this tragedy, wishing I was in Orlando, that I could donate blood and that I could help. I will say though that you will not be forgotten, your deaths will not be in vain. I’ll continue to stand with the LGBT community, as I always have, defending their right to love whoever they want to. I stand with you. We’re all human and Love is Love.

Images from Pinterest

Getting the job.

Jun 10, 2016Jun 10, 20166 Comments

8cb56efd22c4b593d411fbb9ff1160ac

As of yesterday morning I am officially employed! For the past few weeks I’ve been having interviews for a Marketing position that I really, really wanted and the waiting has been driving me crazy. I applied for a job with a tech based company on Linkedin last month, I thought it looked interesting and had the attitude of ‘why not’. I knew it was a long shot, this wasn’t a small position, there was a lot of responsibility and over 80 people had already applied, but what did I have to lose? The worst they could say was no. So I sent off my Linkedin profile and didn’t think much of it until my email pinged about an hour later, it was someone from the company wanting to talk further. Later that evening he called and I had a phone interview there and then on the spot, an hour later I had my instructions come up with a social media plan example and come into the office in a week and a bit and let’s have a look. I was floored. Absolutely floored. Fast Forward to the first face to face interview, I fell in love with the location and got on with my interviewer before being invited back for another face to face interview with the head of the company. Score. So a few days later I met him and had another interview, alongside chatting about other things, no huge scary interview and lots of pressure, not only did it set the tone for the company but it excited me.

I’ll be honest I’ve been scared about finding a job, not so much because I thought I wouldn’t get one, but I was worried I’d just have to go somewhere I didn’t like to make a living. I spent a lot of my teenage years in a job where I was unhappy, then I came to uni and felt the happiness of having a job that I enjoyed and felt like I was doing something productive, not selling cheap clothes that fall apart. Finding Exonar was like a dream come true, they’re a smallish company, full of nice people (as I found out yesterday) and I can really sink my teeth into something without knowing I was on a years contract. I haven’t officially started yet but I’m excited and nervous and I haven’t felt like this since before I went to uni. I get to be in Marketing after a stack of rejections that I didn’t have enough experience.

It’s like a huge weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I know I’m going to be ok and hopefully be in a positive environment too! I’m trying to put into words just how excited I am but I don’t know how! All I know is I can’t wait for a new chapter to begin.

Sunday Seven: Seven of this weeks pics!

Jun 5, 2016Leave a comment

I’ve spent most of the past week in Basingstoke, meaning I’ve been very snap happy this week, so for a little something different I wanted to share my top seven snaps of this week.

Ed doesn’t like me shutting the door whenever I’m at home, he wants all the attention, no matter what time it is. I snapped this little pic while I wanted to sleep and Ed wanted to play.

This week my little cousin and Godson turned 13. 13! Harvey and I are really close, he’s my little dude and I can’t believe he’s gone from this chubby cheeked baby to a really awesome little man. Also, check out the cake that my super awesome sister made!

It was doughnut day this week so I popped to the shop and picked up these beautiful, scrummy pink ones. They tasted good, so good.

I was finally able to pick up my Illumicrate from my parents! I was not only surprised but loved every item in the box and can’t wait for my next one. If you missed my post, find it here.

Lottie is my shadow whenever I come home. This didn’t change this week, if you couldn’t find her you could guarantee she was on my bed fast asleep…even if it’s a choice between my Mum’s double bed or my single, she still chooses my bed.

This is Betsy, my aunts puppy, she’s also known as Chewbacca by my cousins. I swear she’s like a little walking rug apart from she jumps up and wants cuddles and has a fondness for cake. Don’t you love this little smile too?!

Another one of my little mischief maker in the evening.

If you want to keep up with more of my snaps, make sure to follow me on Instagram @chloemetz_!

Mental Health Awareness Week -Sunday Seven: How YOU can help support someone with a mental illness

May 22, 2016Leave a comment

f14b1d584c6394603c78f487f8a0681e

Here’s my final Mental Health Awareness Week post, enjoy!

Be there

The most important part of my support system was knowing that people were there for me. It didn’t matter if I spoke to them or not, knowing I could pick up the phone and just have someone be there meant the world.

Ask what would help them

A lot of people say to me that they don’t know how to help someone who has a mental illness. The easiest way to help someone it ask them what they need, sometimes they might just need someone around or a quiet evening to the cinema or something. If you don’t ask, you’ll never know.

Understand that sometimes people just need to be alone

On the other hand, sometimes a part of the illness means that you just want to be alone. When I was really struggling I locked myself away from friends because I didn’t want them to see me and I just felt exhausted all the times. It isn’t you, it’s just a part of the illness.

Stand up against stigma

Hear someone making a ‘crazy’ joke? See a stereotype of someone with a mental health condition? Or how about the costumes of a ‘mental patient’ that pop up at halloween? Standing up against these portrayals is one way to help. Also being an ally to those with a mental health condition by supporting rights and in the media is a way to help.

Don’t treat them differently

There’s nothing worse than being treated differently once you tell people you have an illness. We’re still the same people we were before we told you, you don’t need to tiptoe around us or change our relationship because of it.

Keeping inviting them to things!

This is my pet hate, even if I’ve been on a low or I’ve not accepted the invite before, you never know when will be the day I feel well enough to say yes! There are tough days, but that’s not every day, this kind of goes with the above.

Remember that no matter what, they’re still them inside.

Don’t forget that, if nothing else.

Image from Pinterest.

Chloe Metzger

Lifestyle, Books and More

Tag: love

Sunday Seven: Seven Things My Weekends Are Made For

My Best Friend

9 Animals, 9 Lots of Love.

Gramps.

Book Review: Faceless – Alyssa Sheinmel

Love is Love

Getting the job.

Sunday Seven: Seven of this weeks pics!

Mental Health Awareness Week -Sunday Seven: How YOU can help support someone with a mental illness

Want to share?

Want to share?

Want to share?

Want to share?

Want to share?

Want to share?

Want to share?

Want to share?

Want to share?

Want to share?