What life used to be two Novembers ago

Since leaving University I have entered the real world. A world of rent and bills without a loan to pay for it, the world of struggling to find full time work, the world of having full time work and feeling forever tired, the world of learning to drive, a goal I am finding challenging to say the least... And the world of a long term relationship outside of University including all the joy, laughter, commitment and mishaps that come along with this.

Learning that life isn't always easy after four of the best years of your life is hard. I have been lucky to have so much love and happiness in my life so far, when I left home for University a whole new world opened up to me, when I left University I entered a different world which I am still trying to find my way in.

But some of the things from my Huddersfield life will forever be with me, My Mr who I hope to share the rest of my life with, we remind ourselves being grow up's can be fun by buying huge bags of sweets to share in the car on the way home from our weekly shop, whilst singing along far to loudly to Bob Marley, Swedish House Mafia, and Walk Off the Earth, by spending our hard earned cash on new furniture for our home, expensive gadgets we don't need, buy buying our little guinea pigs more houses and treats then the richest of celebrities own, many many takeaways, meals out, and trips to wonderful places.

 Huddersfield I miss you, but am grateful for all the great times and forever friends I have taken away from you.  <3>

Perfect two

You can be the peanut butter to my jelly
You can be the butterflies I feel in my belly
You can be the captain
And I can be your first mate
You can be the chills that I feel on our first date





You can be the hero
And I can be your sidekick
You can be the tear that I cry if we ever split
You can be the rain from the cloud when it's stormin
'Or you can be the sun when it shines in the mornin'





Don't know if I could ever be Without you 
'cause boy you complete me
And in time I know that we'll both see 
That we're all we need'
Cause you're the apple to my pie
You're the straw to my berry
You're the smoke to my high
And you're the one I wanna marry





'Cause you're the one for me, for me
And I'm the one for you, for you
You take the both of us, of us 
And we're the perfect two
We're the perfect two
We're the perfect two
Baby me and you
We're the perfect two





You can be the prince and I can be your princess
You can be the sweet tooth I can be the dentist
You can be the shoes and I can be the laces
You can be the heart that I spill on the pages
You can be the vodka and I can be the chaser
You can be the pencil and I can be the paper
You can be as cold as the winter weather
But I don't care as long as we're together





Don't know if I could ever be
Without you 'cause boy you complete me
And in time I know that we'll both see
That we're all we need
Cause you're the apple to my pie
You're the straw to my berry
You're the smoke to my high
And you're the one I wanna marry





Cause your the one for me, for me
 And I'm the one for you, for you
You take the both of us, of us
And we're the perfect two
We're the perfect two
We're the perfect two
Baby me and you
We're the perfect two





You know that I'll never doubt ya
And you know that I think about ya
And you know I can't live without ya
 I love the way that you smile
And maybe in just a while
I can see me walk down the aisle





'Cause you're the apple to my pie
You're the straw to my berry
You're the smoke to my high
And you're the one I wanna marry





'Cause you're the one for me, for me 
And I'm the one for you, for you
You take the both of us, of us
And we're the perfect two
We're the perfect two
We're the perfect two
Baby me and you
We're the perfect two
Yeah, yeah


xxx

My first set of wheels!

So I haven't passed my test yet.... But I am finally starting to get the hang of driving, and today I have extra motivation to try really hard to pass my test - I am getting my 1st car!! :)

Very excited! Can't wait to have my own set of wheels, and now I have a car to get extra practice hopefully it will help me be ready for my test sooner! I am looking forward to zooming off and doing my own thing, my Mum has always been very spontaneous and decided lets just go somewhere, and we just drive there, I can't wait to be able to do that myself.


I will be terrible though, as soon as I get in in my head I want something I don't like to wait so I am sure passing my test will also mean many more impulse purchases and shopping trips!


xxx

Twenty Boy Summer

I recently read a book that I fell instantly in love with, so much so that I have to share! Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler follows the story of Anna and her best friend Frankie through a Twenty day Vacation in Zanzibar Bay.


The setting of this book is so beautifully crafted and described that I was ready to book myself a one way ticket to the destination in a heartbeat. This book is perfect for anyone that constantly daydreams of being on a sunny romantic beach like myself!

 

As a young teenager I always dreamed of having a perfect summer romance. Of course this never happened, but if it had, I would have wanted it to be exactly like Anna's relationship with Sam. However this book is about much more then just summer romance, unbeknown to Frankie, Anna had a relationship with her brother Matt just before he tragically died one year ago. The book is about her journey through love, loss and letting go of the past.

The book shares occasional flashbacks to Matt and Anna's time together, showing how present he still is in her mind. I found the book beautifully touching, and would really recommend it to just about every girl out there! This book may just be the most perfect summer read I have ever come across <3

xxx

Gus

I finally have a photo of our new addition to the family! Meet Gus! I have always loved Gus from Cinderella, and now we have our very own Gus Gus even if he is a hamster instead of a mouse! We have had him a few weeks now and his personality is really starting to show, he has an excellent temperament and is super fluffy and cute!

He is a long haired syrian hamster. I didn't think hamsters would be that different from Guinea pigs except for the fact they sleep a lot longer, but they are such different pets! The main difference is that Gus makes his cage how he wants it, he moves his bedding around to make a little nest, and hides food around his cage and changes things as he pleases, it is quite funny to see what he does!


He loves to scurry around when we handle him, the one thing I still have to get used to is the fact he doesn't make any noise! I am that used to the different noises the guinea pigs make I always know if they are happy, hungry or wanting to be put back in their cage. Sometimes they love to be cuddled and other times they just want to run around, I am that used to reading their different behaviour and knowing what they want but with Gus I still don't have a clue! He seems to be settling in well though!

xxx

Somebody that I used to know

Hello lovely people! It was my 23rd birthday yesterday and I had a fantastic time visiting back home catching up with two of my old best friends and family! It is funny how true friendships always stay the same, no matter how much time has passed when you meet up again you have just as much to talk about, and laugh so much you can't breath any more! 

I had a lot of fun reliving the good old days so to all my people, ones I have seen recently, and those who I haven't seen in far to long - my true friends out there (and I am sure you know who you all are) this is a post for you :)

My brother showed me Walk off the Earth's cover of Gotye's somebody that I used to know when I was back home and I think it is just amazing so enjoy :)

xxx

Mirror Mirror and Moo!

For years and years I have had a cheap phone. I have never had an interest in smart-phones or fancy gadgets, so long as I can call and text I am happy! My particular attraction is normally to Nokia flips. Nokia because I have never had one break, despite dropping them from a height numerous times almost daily!

My attraction to the flip phones is just personal preference but I always think they look prettier. With my five year old Nokia starting to feel a little slow, and looking beyond battered I thought it may finally be time for an upgrade! Truth be told I am just going through a girly phase and wanted something prettier, but why not!

In the end I went for an Alcatel ot810, straight away I loved the look of it, and the mirror front will be sure to come in handy! It wouldn't look out of place in a make up bag!

Despite enjoying my new gadget I am having trouble downloading the first photo I took on it for my next nail diary entry! So I will try and get that done, or failing that I guess I will have to re-do my nails!

The camera on my old phone was beyond awful, so having a decent one has been quite fun! Below are some lovely photos I have enjoyed snapping with my new camera phone, of my very favourite subjects!

Little Minnie is gradually taming, although she is still quite shy she has begun loving cuddles! She stretches out squeaking happily, licking away offering plenty of affectionate little piggie kisses!

Mousey-kins is the most inquisitive little piggie! She is the opposite of her shy sister and is always having a nosey and coming up to the bars to greet me, she is also a cheeky monkey always making mischief!

All my photo's of Moo were quite blurry but here is one from a few months ago, quite possibly my favourite Moo photo ever! She is a great Mummy pig, and still has plenty of personality!

She has developed the loveliest temperament, especially since we introduced her to the other pigs. Before she was a little feisty and would nip from time to time. That has completely stopped now, although she still lets you know if she isn't in the mood for cuddles, she will fidget until you put her back!

On the other hand when she is in the mood for fuss she stretches out, rolls around in the blanket to have her tummy tickled, and will gradually close her eyes as you rub her behind the ears! She is so tame, she gets lots of attention because she always lets me pick her up without a fuss!

Me and my Mr have agreed it is about time for us to expand our little animal family! If all goes to plan we may have a new arrival coming this weekend from our local hamster rescue... exciting times!!!

 xxx

Couples that should have been...

*Warning there may be T.V spoilers in this post!*
I have always had a great love for American Drama series, the highlight for me has always been following the couples and speculating who will get together, who will stay together, and watching the drama unfold... But do the producers of the show always get the happy ever afters right?

Each character is always usually caught up in some sort of love triangle, or they are in on/off relationships with different people throughout different series, and we all root for different people. Here is a countdown of  some of the couples that I was secretly hoping would end up together throughout the years -

7. Lucas and Brooke (One Tree Hill)

At first like the majority I was rooting for Lucas and Peyton, then in season 3 the producers finally convinced me that Lucas and Brooke should be together in this scene. Him declaring his love for her after a fight in the pouring rain was so damn romantic that I couldn't help but fall for the two of them!

6. Cait and Ryan (Life Unexpected) 

I only watched this show for the first time this year and completely fell in love, as soon as I saw Ryan (Jack from Dawson's Creek) playing one of the leads things got even better. I think he and Cait had great on screen chemistry and never imagined they wouldn't end up together! *Sob*

5. Pacey and Andie (Dawson's Creek)

I just loved these two, I always had a soft spot for Pacey Witter, he acts all of his relationships so convincingly! Watching him and Andie's relationship was definitely my highlight of season 2.

4. Jake and Peyton (One Tree Hill)

Jack and Peyton were PERFECT! I suppose the relationship happened way to early on in the show for them to ever make it really last, but the way they chose to eventually break them up was by far the most stupid I have ever come across in the history of any show. Ever. (In case you were wondering she said "I love you Lucas" in her sleep...)

3. Denny and Izzy (Grey's Anatomy)

Watching Izzy fall for Denny is one of my favourite parts of Grey's Anatomy. Again the actors has such great chemistry together and the storyline was so wonderful, yet heartbreaking it has watching episode after episode to find out what was going to happen!

2. Ryan and Marissa (The O.C)

Although I am pretty sure Ryan didn't need a girlfriend with quite so many issues, he and Marissa had some great moments together throughout the series. I sort of always hoped she would resolve all her problems and they would have a happy ever after.

1. Dawson and Joey (Dawson's Creek)

And of course - taking the number one spot are Dawson and Joey. I doubt there is a person in the world who watched the first season and didn't think the two of these were going to end up together! I have to give the show credit for doing the unexpected though! It did make references to the fact that the two of them were soul-mates and that they would always have a connection, I just wish that that connection would have been as a couple!

If anyone has any couples to add to this list I would love to hear about them!

xxx

Nail Diary - Entry 2

More nail excitement! I recently discovered nail art plates. These are metal plates with designs that you can stamp straight onto your nails. I knew this was something that I wanted to try, the trouble then was deciding which to go for! Konad seem to have the best reviews and my favourite plate by them was M57.

This arrived today along with some new polishes I ordered. I know for the plates konad special stamping polish is recommended, but other polishes do work, the image might just not stand out as much. I have 3 special konad polishes but was eager to try out my new blue colours by Barry M!

Playing around with the stamp was quite fiddly and took a while to begin with, but I am really pleased with the great range of designs you can create. I also have some other nail plates by Cheeky so I will be trying those at some point! Here is what I came up with -

I used - Two coats of Barry M blue moon the polish I am holding for the base coat & collection 2000 hot looks show off for the print and ring finger. For the ring finger stamp I used Konad special white polish. I them topped this with a coat of blue glitter - La Femme Venus and a top coat of collection 2000 lasting colour ice cube

I always prefer to do something a little different on the ring finger just to add a bit of interest! I am very pleased with my new blue colours as well. I think the stamped image would be a lot clearer with the konad special polish but I don't have a blue colour in that unfortunately!

Oh and another little thing I learned today is that nail varnish remover not only removes varnish from nails, but also strips wood varnish from coffee tables.... ooops

xxx

Fat Chance

I have mentioned my love for Catherine Robinson's books before on my blog. As a teenager I was constantly on the look out for new titles by her and was always hounding booksellers with enquiries about when her next titles were due, so how this one passed me by I no idea!

Tin Grin was the first book I read by Robinson, and until about a week ago I never knew there was a sequel. Fat Chance follows Mattie through six form, and was packed FULL the wonderful amazing teenage drama's, tantrums, sarcastic responses, and one liners that I identified so well with back when I first started to read her books.

Having now past that stage in my life, reading this book from a more mature perspective just made it all the more hilarious! I won't say It was the best book I have read by her (Celia and Tin Grin are still my fave's) however it was so fantastic to enjoy a novel by her once again. Sadly as I mentioned before all her books are now out of print. I had to buy this one second hand online, but it was well worth the hunt. I you ever come across any of her novels and love a good old bit a teen drama then Catherine Robinson is your Queen!!

xxx

Nail Diary - Entry 1

Time to add a bit of sparkle (literally) to my blog I think! Since deciding I was going to give nail art a go I have started to collect polishes and a few tools to help me do designs and patterns. It hasn't all arrived yet but I have now got enough to start having a go at designs!

My polish collection so far looks like this:

Most of those are the La Femme polishes I ordered for Amazon which I am fairly pleased with! One set has a lot of nice pastel pinky colours but the glitter polishes were a little disappointing. I thought the pink ones would have pink glitter, and the purple would have purple glitter etc but this is sadly not the case! Most of them have silver or gold glitter and the colour doesn't show at all, It also needs a couple of coats or the glitter is spread really thin but I will still get some use out of them and it just goes to show the saying is true - a lot of the time you get what you pay for and these were very cheap so I can't really complain!

My rhinestones and dotting tools have also arrived so I have started to have a bit of a play! Unfortunately I failed to take a photo of my first attempt I just did a reverse manicure which I was actually pretty pleased with! I didn't have my dotting tools at this point though, I will do another in the future and be sure to post! This is my first go with the dotting tools:

I Used -  the polish I am holding as the base coat La Femme Silky Pink. For the nail with the heart rhinestones I also used a coat of La Femme Sapphihe which is the purple glitter. The purple dots are La Femme Odyssey, and the white dots are Claire's matt white. The top coat is Collection 2000 Lasting Colour Ice Cube.


I think the look is a little girly for me due to the colours, I will have to try this in blue! I do however quite like the design, ALL designs will be my own unless otherwise stated. Part of the fun of this for me is being creative and coming up with my own designs. I am really pleased with the dotting tools even though I am still quite clumsy with them! Next time I will do the daisy's smaller, but I was too eager and just did them with the first tool I picked up! Not bad for a first go though I don't think!


My nail diary will now be a regular feature on my blog so watch this space!


xxx

Nails

Wow so I haven't blogged in agesss (again), most people who follow me are probably used to the huge gaps in my blogging by now though so never mind! The main reason for this is I want to try and only blog about things that are fun and exciting and when I feel inspired!

In my spare time right now I am:

* sewing, but each one is taking so long! I have done two cross stitches which I maybe will post about eventually...

* I play with the little pigs all the time but I have already done so many posts about them I am trying not to talk about them all the time! (Although Minnie is on my lap in a blanket right now looking super cute!)

* I read a lot, but have not reviewed lately as the main book I am reading is my driving theory book which would probably make for a very dull post! I have just bought a book by my fave teen author Catherine Robinson second hand though, I thought I had all of her books but don't remember this one! It took some hunting down as they all all out of print now but I can't wait for this one to arrive!

* But my new hobby which has got me blogging again is my nails!! We went on holiday to the Dales a few weeks ago and wanting to look all pretty for the trip I painted my nails for the first time in AGES. In my early teens I had different nails every week and loved coming up with different designs and playing around with different colour polishes. And painting my nails for the Dales (rhyme unintended) made me realise how much I have missed it! All my old polishes have probably dried up and gone all sticky, so I decided to invest in some new one's and some dotting tools and rhinestones whilst I am at it! Eventually I might get some plates and stamping tools but I will see how I get on with the other things first.

At the moment my nails are a random mix of every polish I tried in the shops when deciding which to buy but as my new ones arrive I will post pics! I was so happy to see that Claire's Accessories still have row upon row of polishes on display! Although it's a lot smaller then the old displays I remember. Most of the new polishes I have coming I ordered online so I just have to play the waiting game now!

The images are of what I have ordered and I picked up a few others base cotes in sparkly blue, pink, purple, and a matt white (for painting cute little daisy's!)What has been inspiring you all lately?

xxx

Colour Therapy

Something I have been longing for recently is Blue. Just to be surrounded by Blue! I often feel this way and consciously wish to be in a blue room. I touched upon the fact I grew up in a baby blue room, and the calming effect this had on me in another post recently.

I know lots of people probably find this complete nonsense but I know for a fact that being surrounded by blue really does have a healing effect on me. I have always been a born worrier, this nothing could change - but sitting in my room back home with it's blue walls, blue carpet, blue curtains, and even blue wind chimes instantly calmed and soothed my anxieties.  Turquoise silky scarfs were draped around the window and a the crystal and mirrored chimes hanging from here cast light and rainbows to dance along the walls as the sun set. It was just beautiful.

The only other thing that noticeably lifts me like this is the water. I have always felt the same soothing calming sensation when I am by the water particularly the ocean. Whenever we visited the beach and everyone else was enjoying the feel of the sand beneath their feet, I would be rushing towards the water.

I spent the majority of my time in the sea when we went to the beach, only retreating when my skin was completely wrinkled and I could no longer take the cold! As soon as I had dried off and warmed up I would be straight back in though! I get the same feeling when on walks sitting looking out onto rivers, or even just around large ponds.

So this sounds totally crazy right...? Well maybe, maybe not. I decided to type colour therapy in to google to see if there was such a thing as this, and was surprised to discover many many websites on the subject. The medical (yes medical!) term used for this Chromotherapy.

So what does Chromotherapy claim the healing properties of the colour blue are?

* Calms strong emotions like anger, aggression and hysteria
* Anti stress
* Brings peace and tranquillity
* Soothes suffering

I already know this to be true for me. The websites also mentions the links with the colour blue to water, which again just clarifies to me that I am not crazy there actually is something to this and to how I feel around the colour and the water!

I'm not saying this works for everyone, other colours have different healing properties too, but for me blue is the only colour I feel consciously different around, and different people are tuned into different things. Maybe blue does nothing for you but another colour does? Does anyone else believe in this or is there a colour that genuinely changes your mood and how you are feeling? I would be very interested to hear from anyone who has any opinions on this!

I also want to say a big thank you to Alice! I was the lucky winner of a Cutey bracelet from her giveaway, imagine how thrilled I was to open my little parcel and find it had arrived in this gorgeous colour!!

xxx

Tag!

I have been tagged! By the lovely Lucy over at Leopard Print Mommy! It is no secret that I can't resist these things, so here goes:


These are the rules:

1) You must post the rules
2) Post 12 fun facts about yourself in the blog post
3) Answer the questions the tagger has set for you in their post and then create 12 new questions for fellow bloggers you plan to tag
4) Tag 12 people and link to them on your blog
5) Let them know you tagged them


12 Fun Facts about me:-


1. I have a lot of strange dreams, sometimes as many as 3 a night which I almost always remember.
2. I love books on Horoscopes, Palmistry, Handwriting Analysis, anything that gives an insight into peoples personalities really interests me.
3. I really like to cook! And can make some very tasty meals indeed!
4. I love to write, and have always kept endless journals, notebooks and diaries
5. My favourite website is Animal Crossing Community
6. I am quite a dreamer
7. I think I am one of the biggest worriers out there!
8. My favourite book is Delirium by Lauren Oliver
9. I have a huge addiction to American T.V Dramas
10. I am really bad at photography...
11. I always feel happier when the weather is nice
12. Everyone probably knows this, but I have 3 little (well 2 little, one big) guinea pigs. Minnie, Mouse, and Moo who I love to pieces!


The 12 questions:-

1) how old were you when you gave birth to your child/ren?
I don't have any yet! I would love a little family in the future but think that is quite a way off yet!

2) Can you drive?
I am learning! I have only had a few lessons so far. It is something that I have always been so scared of doing, but know I need to be able to do!

3) If yes to question 2 did you pass your driving test 1st time?
Fingers crossed I will!

4) What meal could you eat again and again?
There are many! At the moment I can't get enough of sushi, there is NEVER enough in those tiny little boxes!

5) Favourite no alcholic drink?
Apple and pear, or Pink grapefruit robinsons dilute. I love this stuff!

6) One must have baby/child product that you couldn't live without?
N/A

7) A tv program you secretly love?
I have a huge addiction to Life Unexpected at the moment. It is shown on E4 early in the morning which is good as it has been getting me out of bed!

8) Favourite kids tv program?
I think Pepper Pig is quite funny, I love George!

9) One song that cheers you up?
Could you be Loved by Bob Marley and Wouldn't it be nice by the Beach Boys, it always reminds me of 50 First Dates, I love that film!

10) Facebook or twitter?
I really hate social networking sites.... that said I log into facebook quite often....

11) A film that never fails to make you cry?
I'm not a big crier when it comes to films really, but am a sucker for a good love story. Any films based on Nicholas Sparks novels usually bring a lump to the throat!

12) Harry potter or twilight?
Harry Potter every time, I think Twilight is hugely overrated and the last film was really bad!


My 12 Questions to you:


1. One of your favourite blogs to read?
2. What is one thing you would love to achieve this year?
3. What is your favourite book and why?
4. What is your favourite pass time?
5. Which would you prefer - Saturday night in, or big night out?
6. What is a guilty pleasure of yours?
7. What is your favourite film?
8. Favourite place to go on Holiday?
9. A singer or group you used to think you would always love but don't any more?
10. Favourite thing to cook?
11. Secret Wish?
12. Do you play video games, if yes which ones?


I am going to tag Alice from an Alien World, Erin Jo from My life as Erin Jo, Sarah from a Little Less enchanted and anyone else who wants to be tagged!


Have fun and let me know when you do the quiz, also thank you to Lucy for tagging me!


xxx

Teenage Dream

Ok so like every teenager I spent most of my waking hours out with friends or in my bedroom, something I spent a LOT of time perfecting. The one think I really miss since moving out is being able to make a room my own. In the last 5 years I have had 5 bedrooms, and to be honest after leaving my room back home and having two half hearted attempts at recreating it I have fully given up trying.

The problem with student rooms, or more recently the private rented places is that there is only so much you can do, and repainting a colour of your choice is not an option. With places all being temporary it also seems a bit pointless...

This is a sneak peak of my old room. Instead of the usual baby pink for a girl, my mum did the opposite and went for baby blue. A decision I ADMIRE. I was never a pink girl, right from a young age I have loved blue. I find it such a calming and relaxing colour. I LONG for a blue room again. Sitting in my room back home is so calming and comforting.

At the age of thirteen I was allowed to re-decorate. Already beginning my rebellious phase I asked for navy blue walls. I was told No. In the end I went for a blue/lilacy colour called homecoming. I loved it as soon as I saw it and would not hesitate to use this colour again!

This is my lovely bed, although normally the bed covers were in fact my fave deep purple set which looked a lot better then these! I had fairy lights around the mirror and wardrobe and made a lot of the cushions on the bed myself. I loved No Doubt, Rooney, Nirvana and Inme (hence the posters) I also had many dream catchers, wind chimes and other trinkets dotted around and hanging from the ceiling.

Every handle of my draws were covered with my millions of bracelets and bangles. The top of the draws were covered with oil burners, incense sticks, elephants, elephants, elephants, and a few fairies.

This room now is pretty empty, but the bookcase remains filled with more teenage books then most bookshops probably sell! I cannot wait for a HOUSE with a room, one room that I can transform into my own little space! I will fill it with all things lovely. books and a big comfy sofa I think! It will be very different from my teenage bedroom, but back in the day I loved it and had a lot of fun playing around with it! Furniture was always moving, different posters on the wall each week. The one thing I always wanted though was an attic bedroom. How amazing would that be?

Here are some other bedrooms I love:

xxx