Reflecting on 2016

Okay it's been a while, but i felt this post was necessary.
As each new year rolls around, I like to reflect on the 365 days I've just been lucky enough to experience. This year, especially, I felt had to be documented because the progression from my first 2014 post is somewhat incredible.

So to sum up 2016:
I got my first tattoo, finished my a levels and passed with 3 Bs, got into Arts University Bournemouth, went on an amazing holiday with some friends and a lovely family holiday, turned 19, went to V fest, moved to Bournemouth (by the sea yayyayayyyyy), met some of the best people I've ever met, and to finish it off had a lovely Christmas.

I can honestly say this year has been the happiest year of my life.

The past few months i must say is down to making an incredible group of friends and studying something I love, but most importantly it relies on the fact that I am so content and happy within myself. I would even go as far as saying I have found inner peace.
I know it sounds cheesy and ridiculous, but when it happens to you it suddenly makes so much sense.

If anyone is by any chance reading this and is in the headspace I was in 3 years ago, I hope you take away hope that it does get better. Because it does, I promise.

Bring on 2017!

best of the beatles | playlist

Finally the Beatles have been added to Spotify! I have been waiting for this day for years. I've always really liked the Beatles but only ever knew the better-known songs of theirs, so over the past few days I've been catching up on lost time by listening to every one of their albums one after the other and picking out my favourites. I am completely obsessed with this playlist and I've found that the most played tracks are not the best ones. Obviously I'm a few decades late (for obvious reasons), but I can definitely say that from now on I am a massive Beatles fan.

favourite films of 2015

Bridge of Spies

This is one of the most recent releases of 2015 but it's already got a permanent place on my favourites of all time list. It follows an ordinary American lawyer who is sent to Berlin by the CIA to negotiate a prisoner exchange during the cold war. It's based on a true story and is completely fascinating. What I personally love about it is the message it portrays about how every life matters. Being directed by Spielberg, it has a very moody tense atmosphere that works really well with Tom Hanks bringing a lot of heart to the film as the main character. An amazing film with incredible acting that I would perhaps compare to the Imitation Game but better.

Brooklyn

Brooklyn is about an Irish girl who moves to New York in the 1950s, leaving her family behind. It is the story of how she adjusts to her new life and falls in love with a Italian plumber, and the problems along the way. I went into this film having no idea what it was about, but I'm so glad because I don't think I would have gone. Just describing the plot of this film does it no justice, so despite what you might think, you NEED to watch it. The whole thing just feels so genuine with the characters having a certain vulnerability that makes them seem so normal. You become almost enveloped by the emotions they are feeling. I haven't cried so much at a film since 12 years a slave.



Star Wars | the Force Awakens

I'm a big Star Wars fan and grew up watching the prequels on repeat, playing the star wars lego game on the wii, and a completely obsessed brother. So like a lot of people, I was a bit concerned that with all the hype, it was just going to be a massive flop. But I think J.J. Abrams did an amazing job considering everyone's high expectations. I think it worked so well because it still contained the nostalgic aspects that everyone wanted to see, whilst updating the franchise by improving the special effects and more importantly the script. Speaking as someone who was brought up on the prequels I would have liked to have seen a few more Jedi's about but I'm hoping that's all to come as the story progresses.

Jurassic World

I have to admit I was completely expecting this film to be awful, but after some time of putting off watching it, I was pleasantly surprised. It definitely had some flaws, such as the unnecessary love interest, the annoying Claire character, and the unrealistic teenage boy. But on the positive side, I loved how realistic and exciting the park seems, you couldn't ask for more tension, and I'm slightly obsessed with Chris Pratt. Overall, I really did enjoy it.

The Martian

Right at the start of the film I thought I was going to have to walk out, not because it was bad, but because it was so incredibly intense that I honestly didn't think I could handle it (pathetic I know). The overall theme of the film is quite a serious one but there are a lot of moments that make you smile and provide it a bit of relief. I think it's so interesting to watch someone's brain working in such a amazing way and observe how someone fights to survive. It's so well done that you really do begin to feel as though it is a true story, and a fascinating one at that.

Paddington

I think the best animated films are the ones that everyone can enjoy. Paddington is a prime example. The whole film is just so beautiful, from the set design to the animation. When I watched it in the cinema for the first time, I was honestly in complete awe of the animation, particularly in the first scene. I don't think I've ever seen such realistic yet magical animation before in any film. The story isn't particularly strong but it's the kind of film where it really doesn't matter. 

Kingsman | the Secret Service

 

This is another film that I really had no expectations for. I thought oh great a James Bond wannabe, but I actually kind of loved it. I feel like it isn't really taking itself too seriously and is just a fun, somewhat gory secret agent film with a good main character. If you don't mind a bit of gore (okay a lot), the church scene could perhaps be the best, most hilarious action scene ever. I have to say though the whole film is slightly tainted by an untasteful misogynistic part at the end.

 

reflecting on 2015

All in all 2015 has been a good year for me. I still may not have been in my ideal situation, living away from my family and friends, but in terms of personal growth (cringe), it couldn't have been better.

So what has happened this year? Well, I got my A level results which I was over the moon with, I officially became an adult, I went on an amazing holiday to the US and Canada with my family, my sister now lives up the road from me, and some of my friends actually moved to the same country as me.  Amazing.

I did a similar post this time last year (reflecting on 2014), and reading it back a year on has actually made me feel pretty emotional in a self-centred kind of way. Over the course of the year I have really learnt how to look at everything more positively, and for once can think about the future and feel excitement rather than dread. A year ago I never would have thought I would be nearly as content and confident as I am now. In the best way possible, the person I was in 2014 has completely gone.

It feels odd writing this post because my brain still thinks it's the beginning of the year, but I am more than ready to take on 2016.

November Playlist

weekend travel bag

Bag | Primark

 

The bag I usually use for overnight stays and travelling is this one from Primark. It's not the most fashionable best quality bag ever but I do actually really like it, especially for £12. It's pretty much the perfect bag for travelling because although it holds a lot, it also has a lot of pocket space that you can put all your money, headphones, tickets ect. in to have them easily accessible. 

 

Makeup Bag/Pencil Case | WHSmith

 

This may have been in the back to school section of WH Smiths but that wasn't going to stop my buying this amazing pencil case. I'm secretly obsessed with anything holographic and shimmery and I find things like makeup bags to be the perfect thing for getting away with over the top materials. I bought this straight away without really thinking but it actually turned out to be the perfect size for all my everyday makeup products.    

 

Mirror | Primark

Hair Band | Primark      

Hair Clip | Primark    

Headphones | Apple            

 

Obviously I need my door key, that doesn't need much explaining, and I can't stand train journey's without music so headphones are also a must for me. I rarely even use the mirror or hair things but I always like to have them on me just in case, and it's not like they take up much room so I might as well.     

 

Purse | Primark

Card Holder | Accessorize    

 

I bought this blue and rose gold purse a few years ago now in Primark for £5 which I thought was pretty good, but as much as I like it, it's starting to look a bit rough so I'm hoping get a new one soon. Primark are good though if you just want a nice cheap one. As for the Card Holder, this is new and very much still loved. Again with the holographic material, I'm obsessed and I think because it's so small it really isn't too much. I recommend getting a card holder because it's so useful for just carrying around your card and a bit of cash when you don't want to take a bag out, and in this case it's perfect for putting my train tickets and rail card in to keep them separate and accessible. 

Makeup Remover | Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

Deodorant | Ushuaia - Vanilla              

 

I'm not the best when it comes to skincare. I have a couple of other good products that I use every now and then, but usually I'm just lazy and stick with this micellar water, so obviously that's all I'd take with me when packing minimally. It's a really good simple makeup remover and the fact that they now do mini travel appropriate bottles is so handy. I don't think you can get this deodorant in England so embarrassingly enough I often bring it over from France because I hate using anything else. I can't stand the usual strong 'fresh' deodorant smell so this really sweet vanilla scent is perfect for me. It might be tmi but even if I sweat with this on, I just smell like vanilla (#goals).

IPhone Charger | Poundland    

Umberella | Primark

 

A couple more practical things: A phone charger (a very snazzy pink one) because who goes anywhere for more than a day without their phone charger, and an umbrella because the amount of times I've got caught in the rain is ridiculous and also very easy to solve. 

Sweatshirt | H&M            

Jeans | Topshop

Dress | Topshop

Pyjamas

T-shirt | Double Agent  

Joggers | Primark (men's)

10 tv series to watch

You know when you binge watch an entire series, or you're favourite series comes to an end and you actually start to miss the characters and don't know what to do with your life anymore? Same. So I thought I would put together a list of some of my favourite TV programs of all time. I've chosen a mixture of different genres, so that you have something lightweight to chill out and watch after a long day, and something a bit more intense that you wont be able to take your eyes off.


Parks and Recreation

I only actually heard about this recently but I'm glad I did because I fell in love with it and ended up watching all 7 seasons in a week. It's basically a comedy series following a group of people who work at the parks and recreation department of Pawnee. It does sound boring but I promise you it isn't. The characters are amazing, my favourites being Andy, April (#relationship goals), and Ron, and you can't help but get sucked into it all and get quite attached to the characters. If I had to compare it to another tv series I would say the office because of the relaxed documentary type feel where the characters talk and react to the camera.


The Simpsons

I'm sure you've heard of the Simpsons and have probably already seen a couple of episodes at least but I feel like it's been forgotten about a bit and is underestimated.  I used to love it when I was younger but I watched it again a couple of months ago when there was nothing else on and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not really much of fan of animated films and tv shows usually, so if you're the same I still recommend it for something fun to have on even if just in the background.


Father Ted

Yes it's pretty old now, but I couldn't do this post without mentioning Father Ted. It has to be one of my all time favourites and always cheers me up and makes me laugh. It's about three priests living on the fictional 'craggy island' just off Ireland and what they get up to. Although primarily based around religion, the whole thing is kind of taking the piss out of itself, which we in Britain love. A lot of the jokes are obvious but actually quite witty and cleverly done.



Alan Partridge

This is another comedy that I love to put on when I want cheering up. I feel like not many people have heard about this series and they could be missing out. It may be of a certain taste but I think those who do like it will love it. Steve Coogan is a genius and Alan Partridge is such a great character. Although the whole thing is kind of ridiculous, Alan, a dj for radio Norfolk, is that kind of cringey character that could almost be real, which is what makes it all so funny. I also love the more recent film Alpha Papa so give that a watch as well, but it makes it so much better if you already know the characters. 



The Graham Norton Show

As far as chat shows go, Graham Norton is up there with the best. Some interviews like this can be very uncomfortable to watch but I always feel as though the guests are always at ease on this show which is what makes it so enjoyable. They always have a great selection of guests, from local comedians to massive international celebrities, and I love the fact that the guests for that week are all on at the same time, making it really interesting to see how they interact with each other. Of course you also can't help but love Graham Norton himself, and he always makes me laugh.


Broadchurch

ah... on to the dramas. Broadchurch is hands down one of the best detective dramas out there. It begins with the death of a young boy, and the series follows detectives as they try to uncover what happened and the family of the boy as they try to cope. The story is incredible and you really do feel more and more emotionally involved as it goes on. The finale of the first series is completely shocking which I always want from these kind of things. I also think Olivia Coleman is brilliant and brings so much to the whole program.   



Doctor Foster

Doctor Foster is a very recent bbc drama which is also perhaps in my opinion one of the best. There are only a couple of episodes but I like that it unravels quickly and doesn't drag on. However within the short series you see lots of different aspects to the complex characters. The plot is really quite chilling and keeps you gripped, eager to see the next episode.   




Pretty Little Liars

I have mixed feelings about pretty little liars but I think it's worth having a watch. In the first couple of episodes, maybe even the first whole season, it comes across as a lightweight drama aimed at young teenage girls. But if you give it a chance it really kicks off and gets very tense and actually pretty dark. The recent reveal was disappointing a poorly done, but the build is actually very entertaining and gripping.




Sherlock

I love love love Sherlock. This is a series about Sherlock Holmes, very loosely based on the books, but set in modern day London. Although sometime rather complicated, the plots are always really clever and well put together. With there only being 3 episodes per series, each one is practically a short film in its own right. I often forget the storylines so I can and have very happily watched them over and over again. It is also really interestingly filmed and edited and has a very English feel to it which adds to its charm. I have to say I was slightly disappointed by the third series, especially after waiting so long for it, because I feel it moves away a bit from detective work and becomes a bit more mainstream, focussing on the characters social lives. But series 1 and 2 = amazing.



Grand Designs

Usually I subconsciously stay away from non-fictional programs, but I'm personally very interested in architecture and  interior design so I love to watch some Grand Design every now and then. It is my dream and life goal to design my own house one day so I find it so inspiring to see some of the extraordinary buildings that ordinary people have created. There are a lot of house programs about, but they are usually based around buying houses or diy/decorating (which I would enjoy more if their decoration wasn't so tacky imo), so I enjoy watching something that is more about the creative and impressive side of things.

18 life lessons

This June I blew out the candles of my 18th birthday cake. Whaaattt?! I'm officially an adult and I can't quite decide if I'm excited or terrified about it. But I do know that as I've got older, and hopefully wiser, I've learnt a lot of lessons about life. So here is a list of things, both cheesy and practical, that I have learnt in my 18 years on this earth.

p.s. thank you mummy for the cake Xx 

1. That thing you're self conscious about? In the nicest way possible, no one cares. Everyone is so wrapped up in their self to be noticing your so called flaw, let alone judging you over it.
2. Sometimes change is the healthiest thing that can happen to your life.
3. Growing up and maturity happens naturally - don't force it.
4. As confident as people might seem, you're never the only one who doesn't have any idea what's going on.
5. It's hardly ever as bad as you make it out to be in your head, and if it is, it's over quickly and you can move on with your life. 
6. You are never compelled to respect people who don't respect you, no matter what their age.
7. Avoid arguments at all costs, they're a complete waste of your time.
8. Always choose comfort over fashion.
9. As downhill as things seem to be going, there's always away to turn it around.
10. A positive attitude can change your life completely - this isn't an exaggeration.
11. List making does wonders for organising your thoughts and life.
12. Sometimes its ok to quit as long as you're doing it for the right reasons.
13. Music is the ultimate way to instantly cheer up.
14. It's good to organise and have goals but never expect your life to go to plan - things are going to go 'wrong', but sometimes it's for the best.
15. Don't compare your own life with someone else's 'social media life' - all you're seeing are the 'best bits' and even then they could be completely enhanced.
16. It's always better to be over friendly than to come across rude.
17. Seize as many opportunities to travel as you can.
18. Don't be afraid to ask for help.

Nail Varnish Favourites | Autumn 2015

Montreal | Summer 2015 Photo Diary