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...

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.

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.

Five reasons to smile

Bluebird Tea Co.

Fitzherberts Bar