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

Sail Away with Me

My addiction to Shipwrecked has returned along with the new series, any show set on a secluded island with a beach is guaranteed to attract me really! Does anyone else watch this show? We must have a good gossip about it if anyone does!

Another show I have just discovered is Vacation Vacation Vacation. I have always enjoyed Location Location Location, but this show is even better! Based on showing you budget and luxury holidays I have become a little addicted, and am very jealous of Kirsty and Phil getting paid to go to all these amazing destinations and stay there! I think I may have finally found my dream job!

I have not had a proper couples holiday since visiting Es Cana, Ibiza with my Jonny at the end of first year. It really was one of the best weeks of my life. It had everything we needed and was right on the beach. We were lucky enough to have a balcony overlooking the beach, and falling asleep to the sound of the waves was just dreamy <3

There was plenty to explore we went to the hippy market, took boat trips, watched fire dancers and spent plenty of time strolling along the beach and by the pool which we were lucky enough to have to ourselves most of the time!

 Every year we pine away for another get away but so far have not had the budget. I am hoping that this year we will have enough for a break! I have no idea where to go though! Anywhere exotic that vaguely resembles this will be fine:

Any idea's anyone?

xxx

Amor deliria nervosa

It is no secret that one of my loves is reading. Delirium by Laren Oliver is my latest read that certainly infected me with 'amor deliria nervosa' meaning love.

Right from reading the blurb I was interested in this book as I found the plot so interesting. What if love was a disease? This book is the set in an alternate reality. A world where love is seen as a disease that must be cured.

"There was a time when love was the most important thing in the world. People would go to the end of the earth to find it. They would tell lies for it. Even kill for it. Then, at last, they found a cure."

As someone who has experienced the indescribable highs of love, that I would not in a million years ever want to give up or be without, I have also experienced the heart breaking lows of love, which make the plots 'deadly side effects of love' - loss of appetite, fixation; loss of other interests, despair, erratic behaviour etc' all quite true and believable.

The book really did have me hooked, so much so that I finished it within two days! The main character Lena is counting down the days until she will be cured, of course this all changes when she meets Alex, and hears of the world beyond the walls put up around society 'The Wilds'. Having been brought up to believe this wall is for their protection and to stop invalids, any diseased people from getting in, Lena soon begins to wonder if this divide is in fact to cage the 'cured' in.

The world created in this story is fascinating. I also found back story of Lena's childhood and her Mother - who had numerous treatments but still remained infected before ending her own life, running throughout the book equally engaging.

I was so excited to learn that this book is going to become a trilogy, the only problem is that I have to wait to find out what happens next!!

xxx

Me, Minnie, Mouse and Moo!

Since my last post life has changed in so many ways!

Leaving home this time seemed so different, I knew this time I wouldn't be home once term ended. This time it was for good it really is a new start, which exciting as it was is always hard when you are leaving people you love. Saying goodbye to my family was hard, and I was back for such a short space of time that I didn't even get the reunion with a lot of my friends that I was so looking forward to!

That said I learned that -

The area we moved to is gorgeous. We have had a lot of fun exploring the area, trying out the coffee shops and restaurants nearby, and living together again is as great as always! <3

My new start also included changing my job, and I was brave enough yet again to have at least 7inches of my hair chopped off! Hello long angled bob! (Which is already growing back at a fast rate) This time I like the change so all is good :)

Since moving in I also celebrated mine and Jonny's four year anniversary which is another milestone in our relationship!

All things were shiny and perfect, but I still had the niggle that all these extra hours of work we are now doing were having an effect on our poor little Moo. She is the most loving of pig's and would squeak for attention whenever I got home, jumping and rolling around happily whenever I got her our for a cuddle. Even though I put her in her indoor run whenever I got home I was also aware that she was growing a little big for her cage. How could I not only want the best for this cheeky face! :)

I did a lot of research trying to find the perfect cage, and even more time trying to find a perfect cage mate! I was still worrying that she may fight with another piggie after her traumatised past! I thought a big cage with lots of space would help them get along and in the end built this!:

I have changed the bedding to fleece which she loves and the ramp leads to a little hay loft so she can still curl up an much all day long if she desires! It is a good job we have plenty of floor space in the lounge!

I finally found a private breeder close by too! We had to get a young little baby as that way she would be more likely to adopt a mothering role and the baby would naturally accept her as the dominant pig. And I certainly didn't fancy another pet shop pig after all the problems we had with Moo!

After what seemed like a wait of forever we finally found our little one or two! 

When we saw the piggies I couldn't separate them and have one left alone! Besides the more the merrier! And I would have probably always wanted another further down the line if we hadn't got two! Firstly we chose Minnie:

I just thought she was gorgeous such a little cutie pie! She is very timid and shy and hides away for a lot of the time, although she is getting gradually a little braver if she sniffs a bit of carrot coming her way!

Moo mothers her well, and when her and Mouse are in the hay loft she squeaks after them until Moo comes back down to give her a nudge up the ramp!

Second choice and third choice looked a little too suspiciously like boys for my liking! Not wanting to take the risk we settled for the last option. Originally we hadn't even considered little Mouse as her markings are quite similar to Millie's!

That said, the second I held her I fell in love! All the other pig's had wriggled and squirmed away but Mouse sat quietly in my hand not once trying to escape! That is how she got her name. She is the scraggiest funniest little pig I have ever seen, she always has tuffs of hair sticking up all over - even though she is a smooth haired breed.

Expecting a quiet little one we couldn't quite believe the change in her when we got her home! Far from Mousey she is a complete little rascal! We have a mini Moo in the making! She is very adventurous and even braves stealing food from Moo's mouth! I think she has met her match with Mouse who follows her round everywhere!

Luckily introducing them went without a hitch after all the research I had done! And now they are a happy little family!

xxx

Olga Da Polga

As you may know I don't believe there are any books more magical then those aimed at children. I have very much enjoyed looking after the children's book section in the shop where I work, My friend Sarah also runs this section and for my birthday a few months back got me a book which has turned out to be my recent favourite discovery! Meet Olga Da Polga:

Ok so I might be a tinsey bit biased by the guinea pig, but would recommend this book to anyone with a naughty pet, especially those with a piggie as naughty as mine! Olga Da Polga is a very adventurous little guinea pig, she has a big personality and definitely makes lots of mischief! She is always telling tales and stories to those around her, and is too big for her boots at times! The books are written by Michael Bond, who also wrote the Paddington Bear books.

On my hunt for other books in the Olga Da Polga series I have found most stores do not stock them, and they have to be specially ordered. However last week a new version of the same book was released in hardback, so it may be ready to make a comeback. This is the new cover which you may spot around:

When I was in year 6 at school we were asked to keep a pet diary. At the time I had a wonderful fat old Guinea Pig Harry. Unfortunately he was a lot less fussed then Millie is, but he certainly had a much nicer nature and caused a lot less trouble then she does! He loved dandelion leaves and could eat for England, I had a lot of fun writing about this little piggie and his adventures!

It was crowed the best pet diary in the class and is the one piece of my primary school work that I kept hold of, I still have this tucked away somewhere and find it makes an amusing read! The Olga Da Polga books reminded me of this and are great reads as she is such a funny character! I will be buying the rest of the books in the series asap, thank you Sarah for introducing me to such great stories!

xxx