I thought I would join a link up this month and as I was scrolling down the many blogs a post jumped out at me. Laurel Regan of Alphabet Salad's Gratitude List. It's always a good thing to keep positive and what better way than to reflect on everything that you are grateful for?

Rainy Days in Waterstones, Oxford

We all have plenty to be grateful for but I think in today's society that is extremely easy to forget between jobs, job interviews, money, social networking and fast, well everything. I know that I forget regularly but stopping to think about the good things in your life, even if it's just for ten minutes, is a worthwhile exercise in positive thinking. So without further ado, here is my gratitude list. This month I am grateful for :

• Tea. For the days when you feel like giving up and a friend takes you aside, makes you some tea and your troubles melt away. For the times when Tesco deliver 7 boxed of green tea to you for free because your mum must be their favourite customer.
• Meals out. On evenings where you are simply tidying and plan to do nothing other than finish tidying and watch Netflix but you receive unexpected phone calls inviting you to dinner.
• Netflix. See what I did there? When all you want to die is hide in bed an eat copious amounts of ice cream Netflix will always have your favourite tv shows to keep you company.
• Cats. You know those cats in the street that you meet for all of five seconds? They are my favourite cats. You look at one another, form a five second bond and then you both leave to carry out your lives. Those cats really describe the nature of a cat's independence.
• Art. I love making art, the people that make art and the people who love the people that make art. As a Libra I love feeling like I am part of something beautiful and what could be more beautiful than art? When you find it please tell me.
• The Unexpected. Some people fear the unexpected, I thrive in it. I love never knowing what could happen. Unexpected trips, friendships, relationships. Whatever is meant to happen usually does.
  
• Keepsakes. All of those bus/train tickets, midnight drawings and letters that you hide in a box under your bed. I love being able to look at my memories all over again.
• Common Ground. I am grateful for all the times I have been talking to someone and they have understood with perfect clarity exactly what I was talking about. Even if it was a silly discussion about a film, I didn't forget it.
• New Music. Not necessarily music that has just come out but music that is new to me really makes a difference. As much as I love listening to the same song on repeat for three days it can be really great to mix up my playlists once in a while and give something different a chance.

Who else is more than ready for summer now? I'm sure it isn't just me! In England right now the weather has no idea what it's doing so every time the sun shines I can't help but cherish it. However, I don't want to sit around and sulk whenever there's a grey day so I thought I would make a playlist to brighten up all my days! Yes, okay I know that was cheesy but I think that we all have so many things we want to achieve this summer that we can hardly wait.


My Goals for Summer 2015:

• Do more tarot readings
  I think reading tarot has to be the only hobby (alongside writing) that I have come close to sticking at consistently. I love doing it and this summer I think I should be braver with it and learn to be more confident when sharing it with my friends and family.
  
• Go to Reading festival
  I have already booked the time off work and I will be buying my ticket on payday and I cannot wait! I've never been camping or to a festival before so it's like two new experiences in one for me. I have seen bands before but they were chosen by my mum so it will be amazing having the chance to see bands that I will really look forward to.
• Sell some of my artwork
  This probably depends more on whether or not anybody would like any of it enough to buy it but I'll never know if I don't try! My bedroom is running seriously low on canvas space so it would be amazing to think that I could make room for more without throwing anything away!
• Go skateboarding
  This one is harder than it seems for me. I've had a skateboard for about two years and I can almost count the amount of times that I've used it on one hand. I always feel like people are looking at me. I'm not sure why that's such an issue for me because people tend to look at me anyway (I think it's the hair). However, when I have skated I've really enjoyed it so I'm making a promise to myself that this summer I will give it another go.

I feel like writing things down where other people can see them will help motivate me to actually do the things I want to do. There's something about people wanting you to succeed that makes you want to prove to them that you can do it as well as yourself. My goals may not be the biggest but they mean a lot to me and I can't wait to achieve them. I plan to do so whilst listening to my pre summer playlist with a drink in hand.
Is there anything that you want to do this summer? If there is tell me your goals in the comments below. Maybe we can motivate each other!

This last few months or so have been kind of crazy for me so I'm sorry I took a little break from blogging but I'm back now as ready as ever. A lot has happened in my life, some of it I'd like to talk about and some it not so much but mostly I'm glad to be back!
Normally when things aren't going so perfectly for me I dye my hair. However, this month I went for a different route. I took the plunge and I had my nails done for the first time. I have to say I loved it, I actually begged my boss to let me have all three of my breaks at once so I could have them done. I'm not sure what shade they were done in but the nail polish was a beautiful blood red colour by Essie that comes out pretty dark!
I haven't just been away from blogging either. I practically took a weekend out of my life to go see my friends and get my head in a clearer place. I'm currently trying to convince my manager to let me go to Reading which is proving quite difficult. I'm not missing Metallica to fold clothes so one way or another I intend to go!
I'm beginning to realise how important it is to do things that you haven't ever done before. Getting your nails done, going camping, seeing a band, travelling alone. Anything both scary and exciting is worth doing (well, almost anything).
However, that doesn't mean that you can't spend some days sitting at home obsessively playing the Kardashian game if you want to. Well, I hope it doesn't...

I have just started reading Lord of The Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring and I'm really excited about it. I watched the film recently and I just knew that I had to read the book. When I've gotten through the book I'm looking forward to doing a review on it which should be great.

Every now and then the things I am doing and want to do seem to get a little blurry. Almost like I am reaching for something far away but it is just too far to see. This is something I have been thinking about a lot recently and I figure that I can't be the only one who occasionally feels this way. So I decided to write a blog post about what helps me when my goals seem a bit fuzzy and out of focus.

1. Take a break
   Stop thinking about how confused you are and just let yourself be. You are probably losing focus because you are analysing you goals too much which makes you question them. This is okay, it will help keep you on the right path but it is also important to remember that you are living in the present not the future. So take a deep breath and let it be.
2. Drink some tea
   Whenever I am stressed out or feeling a little lost my boyfriend advises me to drink some tea and while it is probably quite English of me to say it often helps. I am quite fussy when it comes to regular tea, however I frequently drink fruity, floral and herbal teas. Often they also come with added benefits such as Chamomile for calming.
3. Talk to someone
   I find it really helps me when I don't know if I am aiming for the right things to discuss that with someone that would want the best for me. I also like to talk to more than one person to gain perspective. So usually I will ask for the opinions of my mother, step father and boyfriend as I know that they are all very different but they all want me to be happy.
4. Go for a walk
   Personally when I go for a walk, if I don't stop whilst walking I come back even more stressed out than before but this doesn't mean going for a walk doesn't help me. All it means is that when I go for a walk the best thing for me to do is find somewhere in nature to just sit and think (or not think) and be. I know a lot of us forget to stop sometimes, there is always something to do. Even when it appears I have stopped and I'm chilling, in bed whilst watching netflix often I haven't stopped because my mind is still active. Going for a walk and a sit really slows that down.
5. Write a list
   I love writing lists and I know I've said it before but I will probably say it again at some point. Write a bucket list. Write a list about what you want to have and where you want to be in five years. Write a list about things that make your uneasy. Write a list about how to deal with the things in the previous lists. I find that lists really help get everything out in a more organised way than just splattering your thoughts on to paper (which is also good). 

While I am admittedly a newbie blogger when I saw the topic of this months Travel Linkup by Kelly, Emma, Rebecca and guest host Sara I decided to give the post a go anyway. So here goes!

I think the first benefit that I hadn't put much thought into previously (I started this blog solely because I have always loved writing) was how pleased you are when you talk to other bloggers. It immediately starts to feel like you are becoming part of a community and I think that will remain my favourite benefit throughout evolving this blog. I can imagine that my place in the community will start to spread a little more (I hope) as well which I would love as everyone is extremely friendly and welcoming!

The second benefit for me may not apply to everyone but it's something that keeps me motivated. I am the kind of person who easily falls into a routine of working, netflix and sleeping not doing anything else in between and feeling very unaccomplished. Having a blog really motivates me to put effort into something and writing really cheers me up when I'm down.

I love the flexibility that comes with blogging. It's something I don't have to stress about if I don't post one day as there is always another day and as blogging is just my hobby whilst I love it, I don't feel obligated. I think that probably is part of the fun at times.

Blogging is a great way to experiment with your writing. When writing a story there has to be a general tone throughout. While that is also partially true with blogging there is a lot more freedom involved. This freedom allows me to write about hair one day and advice another. When managers try to promote jobs to people they often try to preach that "no two days are the same" and I think that this is especially true where blogging is involved.

I think when you're blogging it gives you a really good opportunity to be honest about things and whilst writing my posts I have learned a lot about how I am feeling and what I have been thinking recently. I think when you also have a good honest communication with your readers the benefits this brings only multiplies.

Sometimes it can all get a bit too much. You end up feeling, sad, stressed, tired and overall just not your best but that's alright. Although not every tip in this post will work for everyone I decided to write this in the hope that maybe a couple of them may help a little when you aren't feeling your best.

• Have a relaxing bath, add some bubbles and close your eyes for a while.
• Write down a prioritised list of things you need to do to make you jobs a bit more manageable.
• Watch an uplifting movie or some funny youtube videos.
• Call someone who makes you smile.
• Take a few deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This is best if you are sitting down.
• Draw, colour, write or paint. Anything creative could really help to get your feelings out.
• Take a walk, the fresh air could do you good, especially if you live somewhere with good scenery.
• If you are at work, let your boss know you need to toilet and give yourself a minute to breathe and get some water. You are much more helpful to them calm anyway.
• If you feel really bad, give yourself a mental health day. Just don't make it a habit!
• If you have college work to do and it is piling up. Look at each project one at a time. It is better to hand in one finished project than five barely started ones.
• Make yourself your favourite meal.
• Do something nice for someone else. The good deed might actually make you feel better.
• Create a little box filled with your favourite snacks, DVD, video game, items etc and use it when you need it.
• When you are happy write little notes to yourself to read later on.
• If you have a pet seek their company. 
• Exercise if you're feeling up to it. It releases endorphins that make you happy.
• If you're a bit like me just grab some chocolate, it basically does the same thing. Not quite as healthy though.
• For every negative thought you have force yourself to think of three positive ones.
• Talk to a friend you haven't seen in a while. When you catch up you'll be more inclined to want to tell them about the positive things in your life.
• If you need it sleep. There is nothing wrong with sleeping, just try not to sleep all day every day.
• Force yourself to go out. You might actually have a good time!
• Get all dressed up. Even if you aren't going anywhere. It often makes you feel better about yourself.
• If you had plans and you aren't feeling up to it, it's okay to cancel. Just try to reschedule a time when you think you might feel better.
• Remember that you aren't alone. There is always someone willing to listen. Whether it is a family member, friend, partner, counsellor or helpline. Someone is always there for you.

Confidential mental health information 9am until 5pm Monday to Friday.
Phone: 0300 123 3393
Email: info@mind.org
Web: www.mind.org.uk/help/advice_lines

Photo taken by Owen Newton

I want to live in a dream world. I want to feel like my house has turrets and my garden is acres wide. I want butterflies everywhere. I want big puffy white clouds and blue skies with the occasional rain for the purpose of creating a rainbow and keeping my flowers pretty. I want a cat or two to roam about and remind me how to be independent.

This isn't a dream world. It's the real world but to an extent it can be whatever I want it to be. I don't have to become a doctor or a full time mum unless I want to. I don't really even have to go to work if I don't want to. Everything that I do is my choice.

Last night I decided to make good choices. When I see an opportunity I'm going to take it. I'm not going to wait for something to come along, I'm going to start something. I just have to remind myself to stay motivated. Motivation is something I often struggle with because I have it intensely for all of five minutes and then I have even less than I did before but that's okay. I need to use it to my advantage.

I'm going to do as much as I can in my five minutes as humanly possible and by then I will be too far along in the project to avoid completing it. There is always a reason to stop.

1. It wasn't good enough/working.
   Nothing is perfect on the first draft, that's why they call it a first draft.
2. I got bored.
   Do something else for ten minutes and then come back to it, I'm sure you'll have a new pair of eyes.
3. It wasn't popular enough.
   Of course it wasn't, it was unfinished. Stop trying to share things with people before you've even written the ending. You wouldn't publish this blog post at this point.
4. I'm not talented enough.
   It is next to impossible to judge your own talent. Let someone else do it, stop making decisions for them. If you tell them you aren't good enough, they may be inclined to believe you.

I recently ordered the 3 colour blonde, brown and black Krinklepuffs hair falls from CyberloxShop and I couldn't be happier with them. They looked almost identical to the picture online and the only difference in them that I found is that they seem longer in person. However, as someone who is forever buying different types of hair extensions I am definitely not going to complain about the extra length.

There are two hair falls that you receive and you can either wear one as a ponytail or two if you want pigtails (who doesn't, right?). In the picture above I am wearing one of the hair falls and as you can see they are full of volume! They are very easy to put in as all you need to do is tie your hair up into one or two buns to prepare. Each hair fall has a band of elastic at the top which you simply tie around the buns. Which is a lot faster than straightening/curling your hair if you're in a rush.

To see how wearable the dread falls are I decided to wear them to work today which was a nine hour shift. You are aware that you are wearing them but if you put your hair up well they will not tug at your hair or anything and they are a lot lighter than they look.

I would happily wear one of these on an everyday basis and opt for the two for a night out! The service from Cyberlox UK was also great as they were not expensive and only took 4 working days to arrive. When they arrived they were really well packed and it bubblewrap which I find is always great with any hair accessories like this.

Overall, I would definitely recommend CyberloxShop to anyone thinking about purchasing from them as I got a lot of positive comments from customers today whilst wearing my Krinklepuffs!

I am currently in the midst of switching bedrooms with my brothers and this is giving me a nice opportunity to create a whole new aesthetic for my room. With this in mind I have been looking around for inspiration a lot recently and today on my lunch break I spotted two items that are to die for. In theory I cannot really afford them but I have taken pictures of them anyway as I like to see it as an opportunity to find or create something similar.
The first is the beautiful mannequin to the side. I love everything about it and am considering searching for one second hand. It doesn't have to be perfect or upmarket, in fact I think sometimes things are nicer when they're a bit makeshift.
The second is this unique set of drawers. I love that each drawer is different and they even have different sizes and types of handles but the white really pulls it all together. Although it is a bit outside my budget I think this chest of drawers could actually be quite easy to replicate, that may be another blog post for later. 
As I slowly recreate my room I will keep you guys updated on my new purchases and creations. What kind of style does your bedroom have?

Photo taken by Owen Newton

I am one of those people who tries to do things even when I am afraid of them. Which is probably fortunate because I'm afraid of a lot of things. My boyfriend and I went to Oxford on Sunday to do a bit of shopping and he decided he wanted to climb a hill which was part of a castle near the town centre. As you have probably guessed I am extremely scared of heights so this wasn't something I particularly wanted to do.

However, I figured I may as well give it a go. Grasping onto my boyfriend's hand I slowly climbed the hill. (Wearing heels was probably not my best idea). Eventually I reached the top. At the time it seemed really high up and I'll be honest with you I panicked a little but looking back I'm really glad I did it. I didn't fall off and looking at the pictures my boyfriend took it was really beautiful. I'm hoping that if I keep doing the things that make me nervous then I'll stop waiting until they're over to appreciate them. I want to live in the now.

Photo taken by Owen Newton

I am hoping this post may remind you to face your fears. As I am learning that if it is worth doing, it is probably a bit scary to begin with. It's okay to be afraid but it is important that you do your best to confront your fears. Even if you only make it halfway up the hill, or half a step. One foot forward is better than no feet at all. So take a deep breath, take it one step at a time and go as far as you can. We can do as much or as little as we want. Make the choice to go farther. It doesn't matter how fast you get there or where you want to be. Just be brave and don't give up. You'll reach the top of your hill.

And hopefully, I'll reach the top of mine too.

I've had a bit of a stressful day so I thought I'd write a bit of a motivational post to cheer myself up. As well as any of you out there hit by the Monday vibes. I think 2015 is going to be the year for the busy. We're all going to be moving and doing. Which is great because then we'll all be able to achieve a lot more that way. However, we mustn't forget to take a moment to relax and regain focus. Sometimes it really does help to hit the refresh button.
I like to write lists when things feel a bit hectic. It's a nice way to organise my thoughts. You can write lists about anything; groceries, sports cars or how many types of shoes you have in your closet. I'm also a bit of a stationary fanatic so that probably only adds to my not so cool love of lists. Whether you're a list person or more visual that's fine. I just find that sometimes the best thing to do is get your thoughts out of your head and onto something a bit more solid.
After you have cleansed yourself of stressful thoughts and things you have to get done then you need to cleanse your body too. My favourite way to do this is with a bath bomb by Lush Cosmetics because we all know that bath bombs are what they do best! I always feel calmest when I am in the bath and it is filled with bubbles, soft scents and a sea of colours.
Then I like to curl up, all soft and cosy with a hot chocolate and reach for a book or the nearest thing with netflix access and go to another world. That's the great thing about books, you can be anywhere you want to be. Which brings me onto a small announcement as I will soon be making book reviews a regular thing each time I finish another novel which I'm really looking forward to. So until next time, remember to breathe and I hope you have a good week!