Lifestyle | Adventures Down South!

So this week I finally got to get away from it all and go on a little holiday down south to Guildford! (That's in Surrey for those of you that don't know, (don't worry, i didn't either at first)).

My sister was at university down there, so we decided that before she came back home, i'd pop down for a few days to do some exploring!

First, lets talk about the commute... People in London Victoria bus station are mean!

I don't know if it's because I'm used to friendly Northerners who say hello to everyone they meet, irrelevant of whether they know them or not, but I was definitely not feeling that vibe there! Not to mention the lady in her mobility scooter who decided to stop, complain about something, then proceeded to reverse into the reams of people behind her trying to get to their connecting coaches... According to my sister, I managed to witness every type of person you could meet in London in the space of 10 minutes.

But once i'd met my sister at the other end, everything seemed much brighter!

Every one seems to walk everywhere in Guildford, which for those of you that know me, understand that this is foreign to me! So what they do, so that you can cut through the train station instead of having to lug yourself all the way around town, is they give you this thing called a bridge pass. What is basically is, is a little slip of cardboardy-plastic that means you can walk through the station (or over the bridge), and get out the other side, without buying a ticket! Nifty eh?

So the first night was pretty relaxed. Hannah and I went out for dinner at TGI Friday's and had a catch up on each other's lives, then we came back to her room and watched some movies. Now as she was a student, (I say was because technically when I went down she was, but now she's home she's actually finished her degree), I got to stay in student halls and see a little bit what life would be like if i'd have gone to university. To summarise, the take-aways get dropped off at the other end of campus, the kitchen is literally so far away, and I can't seem to understand why anyone would want to transport their food 5 miles between cooking and eating (clearly i'm exaggerating), and if you have a ground floor room, it is absolutely essential that you make sure the curtains are drawn when you are coming out of the shower!

On day 2, Hannah decided to take me around the shops in Guildford, which are pretty similar to the ones in Leeds, but it was in Guildford where I was on holiday, so it was better. I bought a couple of make-up bits i'd been dying to try, and we treated ourselves to some new clothes from Urban Outfitters! I classed mine as a necessity as that morning I realised the only 'outerwear' type thing i'd brought down with me, excluding my coat, was a Harry Potter Gryffindor hoody which i'd travelled down in! Therefore, I definitely had to buy a new cardigan!

Later that day, once we'd got back to her room, caught up on Coronation Street, and rebooted ourselves, we went out for dinner with one of Hannah's uni friends, and my best friend Emily, who also went to university in Surrey! The Nando's down there had just had a re-vamp, and the open day was that day, so we went there to have yet another catch up, and some food! 

Next up, it was time for pudding. We were all really full after the Nando's, but before I went down, Hannah had told me about a place called Creams, which was literally a dessert restaurant. Everything on the menu was some form of pudding. Literally  everything! 

One portion of one of their puddings was the equivalent to a main course, but as I was on holiday, and at times I can turn my stomach into a bottomless pit, I just about managed to force down a slice (slab) of cheesecake and a scoop of ice cream. (The waffle was my sisters, but I could have definitely eaten that too).

Day 3! My absolute favourite day of the whole time I spent there! Hannah and I went to the Harry Potter Studio tour!

It was truly one of the best days ever! A little bit of me thought that it may ruin the magic, knowing everything behind the scenes, but it didn't, if anything it made it more magical!

I won't bombard you with pictures, because I don't want to spoil it if any of you are going, but it's brilliant! 

Conveniently, at the end of the tour, you're led right into the gift shop, so it'd be rude not to spend any money, right?

After getting home from what can only be described as the day where it was officially confirmed that I am not a muggle, it was quite late, so we ordered a chinese. For those of you keeping count, that's 3 meals out and a take away in as many days... Do not tell my bootcamp instructor!

The next day was all about the travel back up north. So armed with snacks, my headphones, and a phone charger, we got on a coach at 10.50 to start our 7 hour journey back home! After about 30minutes into the journey, I fell asleep anyway...

So if any of you want a more detailed blog about the tour, do let me know, I just didn't want to let out too many spoilers!

Lifestyle | Dealing with the Thoughts of Small Minded People

Two essential songs that you need to be listening to while reading this post...

1) Shake it Off - Taylor Swift

2) Who's Laughing Now - Jessie J

Not only do these two ladies epitomise the definition of 'Girl Power', but they are also the perfect songs to syke you up to deal with other people's negative thoughts.

Now, today's post was going to be a summer look-book, but firstly, the weather hasn't exactly allowed me to wear the outfits i'd chosen, and secondly, I feel like I need to make this point before I go any further with my blogging/vlogging. 

Those of you that know me are aware of the reason why I left the salon I worked at to be a support worker. To summarise for those of you that don't, I came home feeling miserable every day because the environment I worked in was so negative and awful that it drained the life out of you. Me and my collegues, (some of which still work there), were treated like rubbish for a less than minimum wage. I had to get out.

So you could say I was used to dealing with negativity. But entering the world of blogging was a whole new story.

You get bombarded with negative comments from people that don't even know you, and those that do 'know' you (i use that term loosely), think it's okay to judge you, and degrade you in front of others.

Let's give you a few examples.

On one of my blog posts where I posted a picture of my body, I received a whole host of negative comments. I'm too skinny, i'm promoting anorexia (what even...), and that I was ugly... even though they haven't seen my face...

Another example. My ex manager thought that it was okay to tell one of my best friends that still works in the salon, that I was unqualified, I couldn't do what I was claiming to do on my Facebook page etc, and that I wont get anywhere in my career now i've left that salon. That tiny salon that no one knows the name of...

Now I wont lie. It upset me. Because it's a natural reaction to someone being nasty to get upset. But what I have learnt, is that the opinions of those people don't matter.

I've been reading Carrie Hope Fletcher's book, an coincientally, i'm on the section about bullying. And what she says is exactly right. It's not you that's the problem, it's them! The people that know you are clearly jealous of what you're acheiving, or they wouldn't be wasting their time trying to convince other's that their small minded opinion is right. And the people that don't know you obviously have nothing better to do than sit behind the protection of their computer and send nasty comments, so just leave them to it!

I don't write this blog or make my videos expecting everyone to like them. I don't need hundereds and hundereds of views and subscribers to make me happy. I write it because it makes me happy. An if my writing can help or inspire just one person, then i'll be pretty chuffed with what i've done.

I've got so many things in the making to look forward to, and so much stuff to share with you all, I simply don't have time for people's negativity, and neither should any one else! The block button is there for a reason and it'll definitely come in handy!

The people that try and drag you down are the people that are already below you. Just bear that in mind.

Those that mind, don't matter. And those that matter, don't mind ~ Dr Zeuss

Lifestyle | 10 Things I've Learnt While Being Single

I've been single for over a year now. Don't get me wrong, i'm not a relationship grinch who thinks all men are just waiting to screw you over, and I do enjoy the thought of spending your time with someone who is truely and madly in love with you, but this past year, i've focussed on me. An i've got to admit, it's gone really well. I really think i'm the one for me.

So as part of my 'Independent Ladies' series, i've decided to share with you everything i've learnt during my time of singledom. (Not sure if that's a word but let's go with it.

1) You do things for yourself, not for another person. 

I used to have the mindset that I needed to look good for said 'significant other', and I don't. I get my nails done because I love having nice nails. I shave my legs so I can look good walking down the street in a split leg maxi skirt. I wear bright lipstick and curl my hair, because daymn, I look good in bright lipstick an curly hair!

2) You become less bothered if you catch a guy checking you out. 

Don't get me wrong, I don't mean the creepy guys who cat call you in the street, which is verging on sexual harrassment. But if i'm out with my friends, or just doing a bit of shopping, if I notice someone looking at me, knowing that I look good, I don't mind it. I no longer feel guilty and think 'oh my boyfriend wouldn't like that'. I work hard to look good. It's nice to have other people appreciate that sometimes.

3) You go to the gym to feel good about yourself, not because you don't want your other half judging your wobbly bits.

I joined the gym back in September, mid-singledom. As I was single I didn't feel like I was going to impress another person. I went for me. I wanted a smokin' hot body for my girls holiday the next summer, I wasn't doing it for the sake of a boyfriend. Everyone has parts of their body they're not happy with, but you should never change them for the sake of another person. I've always had the mindset that if someone didn't like me for who I am, to put it simply, they can do one!

4) Single dates are a thing!

The thought of going to a cafe or a coffee shop and sitting there eating or drinking alone would terrify me. But then what do you do when you mega-crave a cheese an ham toastie with a side of Caramellatte from Costa? Do you order it to go and sit and have it in your car? No! That's not fun! You take a book or a magazine, and you own that table by the window, because that is your table by the window and by god you're going to enjoy that cheese and ham toastie!

First step coffee shop, next step, Nandos!

5) You can do what you want, when you want.

Within reason of course. I don't mean you can go off terrorising people and robbing a bank just because you fancy it. If you want to go on a girls weekend you can do so without thinking your other half might feel left out. Another more personal example, If you want to write a blog about life and beauty, and basically any other things that come into your head, you can, without your boyfriend saying it's a stupid idea and no one would read it. (Tell that to my over 1000 readers, we so showed him guys!).

6) Seize the moment.

Last minute barbeque at Alice's house? Yep, i'm going. Mid-week trip to Ibiza? Sure, let me grab my suitcase. Tattoo of a cat on your arm? Tattoo away! Do you get the idea?

7) Normal people, don't respond to texts all day everyday.

You see, most people have lives. I was use to every message being answered, within the hour at least. But whilst being single, I've come to realise that not everyone does that, because they have jobs, and friends, and other things which mean they're not attached to their phones all day. 

8) Family is there forever.

As cheesy as it sounds, your family (and real friends that are basically family), are the only ones that will actually be there for you. These are the people you need around you.

9) Netflix and Duvets were made for you... and cats.

Sometimes when you've had a bad day, work's been stressful, you just feel like utter crap for no reason, your duvet will always be there to welcome you home with open arms. So grab the cat, stick on the tv, and binge watch your favourite programme until you decide you want to shower. No one's going to judge you.

10) DO NOT SETTLE!

Irrelevant of how long you've been single for, days, months, years, it is absolutely the most important and vital thing, that you do not settle. The right person is out there, and you will fin each other. Don't settle for someone who isn't giving you what you want, just because you want to be with someone. You're better than that.

I've been on my fair share of first dates, and this is the most important thing. If it doesn't feel right, don't force it. The situation wont change. When you find the right person, you just know. I am the most shy and awkward person in the world when I first meet anyone, employers, friends, potential boyfriends, and when I meet someone who i'm suppose to be with, all of that will vanish. Conversation will flow, I won't overthink every tiny detail, and I wont be afraid of smiling in front of them because of my wonky teeth. It'll just feel right.