#119

So the packing enuses...

This is the last post I will do until next week seeing as I am going to camp in a field where there will be very little internet, so very little opportunity to blog. I will however be taking lots of photos so I'm thinking of doing a giant post next Sunday/Monday. I have yet to finish packing, which is pretty much just going to include trying to fit everything into my bag, which at the moment isn't looking likely. I am very excited for a week away with some beautiful people at Newday, especially now that Matt is back, and expecting to have some exciting stuff happen in peoples lives! 

Until next week, Goodbye x

#118

I was going to upload these pictures last night, however I didn't get connected to the wifi in the hotel, and I needed an early night anyway! We travelled up to a hotel, just near Heathrow, yesterday afternoon, stayed for the night and then picked up Matt quite early this morning.

The hotel we stayed at was really nice, check-in got a bit messed up and when we got to our rooms, I managed to lock myself out but other than it was good! We went down to the restaurant and had a nice meal, before going up to play some cards and then bed. I didn't get a very good nights sleep though due to the room being so hot! I know it's wrong to complain seeing as I'm going to be in a tent for the next week, but it was just too hot to sleep. I'm now back home [the boyfriends back - horrah!] and I'm about ready to go back to bed again! However there is packing to be done before that can happen.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#117

The early start this morning was not promising a good day, however it ended up being really good!

We went of to the beach this morning as the Red Arrows were doing their annual display for Life boat week, and although we go every year, it never fails to impress. Don't think I could actually count how many times we've seen them, but they are just so awesome I will always continue to enjoying their display. It's a shame today that due to cloud they could only do the first part of it, but it was still good! I alos had Costa for the second day in a row [oops!] and enjoyed reading some more HP. I then came back and finished sorting all my clothes for camping next week, and baked some cookies. Yay for a productive day!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#116

Today has been full of editing videos [again] and a successful, and quite quick, shopping trip!

Peach Ice Tea ¦ Primark dresses ¦ Sweets for the 8 hour journey! ¦ My other cheeky purchase

I have finally got round to buying all the things I need for camping next week, and have started packing a bit. I know girls plan a lot more than boys do; I've had my list for over a week and I'm already planing outfits in my head! May seem a bit extreme, but that's just how I work. I've also been editing all of Beckii's 'Travelling Essentials' videos which have got me in the mood for packing and organisation! I also picked up some dresses from Primark today, that I didn't really need but I thought they would be handy with the unpredictable weather. If it rains I can wear them with tights, wellies and my rain coat and if it's sunny I can whip out the sunnies and flip flops! I'm really looking forward to going now, just got to get through work and picking up the boyfriend from Heathrow first! It's going to be an exciting/crazy weekend!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#115

Today included lots of fun things! I spent my morning editing videos for Beckii's youtube and then went round to her house to film more videos. Check out her channel if you are interested in anything beauty related or you are going camping this summer! We then went over to Matt's parent's house for a BBQ with all of the peeps, and played volleyball until the rain came.

The beautiful girls!

It's a pity that the weather is going bad just as we are going camping next week, however I am a seasoned pro when it comes to rain and tents now. I would appreciate some sun though! Next few days are going to include packing and buying things to take camping, just generally getting organised - I am keen!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#114

Lately, painting my nails has been such a drag. Every single time something goes wrong, like I smudge it or get a dink in it. However, today was a good day to paint my nails.

I do not confess to being the best at painting nails, and I definitely don't have the best nails by far, but I know how I like to have them. I had my first ever manicure a few weeks ago and I have to say I was disappointed. Although I didn't pay to have it done, as I had a voucher from my mum, it still didn't really seem worth the money. They didn't do a bad job, and the girl was lovely, but I just was a bit underwhelmed. I always go through fazes where I like to not wear any nail varnish, and then I get the urge to paint them again. Today was a day where I really wanted to paint them, but two failed times in the past week made me for a nail varnish I knew I couldn't go wrong with, and that was the MUA nail varnish in Frozen Yoghurt. The cheapest of all the nail varnishes I own, at only £1 but surprisingly one of the best! I think the brush is just fail safe. I used the Rimmel Nail Rescue as a base, as it is doing a good job of keeping my nails in okay condition. I decided I wanted to go back to having an accent nail so I went for Mavala's Lagoon which is a lovely shade of mint green/aqua, with a bit of the Ruby Silver Glitter on top. And then to top it all off I used my Sally Hansen Double Duty as a top coat. I don't know how long this will last as I usually get bored with it before it starts to chip, however for now I am happy!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#113 [Memory Monday]

Because I'm such a good friend, whenever Lucy asked if I would help her out with a photography project I would be up for it. I think this photo was from the first one we ever did, and it was definitely the coldest!

Taking it very seriously

It must have been September time, a couple of years ago, when we decided to go into the woods and take some of these photos and I wasn't very prepared. I let them just put whatever make-up on me they wanted and didn't see it properly until I got home. The fake blood was notoriously messy and ended up getting everywhere, including my white top! However the final photo looked really good; I think I played a very good dead person. 

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#112

Something I've wanted to try out for a while is the Graze boxes - 'healthy snacks by mail'. I'm not someone who watches their weight or even really thinks about the food I am eating, but I do know my main downfall is snacking. As I have said in previous posts, my appetite at the moment has been a bit all over the place so I always find myself constantly snacking. And seeing as I had a voucher for a free box, I thought I'd try my first Graze box.

I am definitely a sucker when it comes to small details, so I would buy this just for the packaging! From the clean look of the brown box, to the cute font and the added bonuses like the post-it style note. It was just love at first sight. The snacks inside were yummy too, and for a free box I was most pleased! The boxes can be sent out as frequently as once a week, so I've ordered my next one for Thursday, just in time for a long 7 hour journey! 

Until tomorow, Goodbye x 

#111

This evening consisted of the annual tradition of going to see the HCC summer play, and what a good one it was!

This year they decided to do We Will Rock You, much by the persuasion of Alex and Beth I believe. The standard of acting and singing at HCC is incredible, especially considering it has never put the drama department as a priority. I have been to see 8 of the school productions and I'm pretty sure every year it gets better. And this one was a bit of a special one as it was the last for 4 of the principal characters. I thoroughly enjoyed my evening and a very big well done goes to the cast and crew! Every time I see a production it makes me want to get back on stage...and then I remember GCSE Drama. Haha. Maybe one day!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#110

I'm pretty sure this heatwave just gives me more excuse to eat badly, or just having a very bad routine when it comes to food. Waking up at irregular times has just completely messed up my appetite. I'm kind of looking forward to Newday so that I get back in to the routine of having 3 meals a day, at the correct times.

This Mango and Passion Fruit Frozen Yogurt was included in today's repertoire, as well as a yummy Peach Lemonade from Costa. I think the problem with it being this warm is that I just don't have the effort to make anything, just being lazy basically. Maybe tomorrow at work I will actually eat a proper lunch.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#109

Another cheeky purchase I have made recently, and one I am very excited about, is my new read - Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone!

I am one of those people who just completely missed the Harry Potter craze in primary school. I remember one summer, when I must have been 10 years old, I brought this very book back from school to read. However after a couple of chapters [if that] I got bored. It seems odd to me now, knowing how successful both the books and films have become. It wasn't until last year when I watched all of the films [in the space of about 10 days] that I finally understood why so many people love Harry Potter. The transformation from the first year to the last, through the 8 films was something I thoroughly enjoyed; you just get so drawn in to the main characters stories, and seeing them grow up. It definitely made me want to read the books. Yes, I know, I've done it the wrong way round, but I can't help that now. I'm really looking forward to reading this, and I know that I will read it quickly, so I am saving it till next week, so that I can read on our long 7 hour journey to Newday.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#108

Today was one of those days where shopping just goes right. After a pretty stressful beginning of the day, where I gave myself very little time to get ready and then forgot my card, it actually turned out okay!

Theses are most of the purchases I made, and I am very happy with everything I got. I went in with a list of things that I needed/wanted to get, and managed to complete that list and also pick some other things along the way. Some of them were practical like the new handbag, as my current one is falling apart, and the Cath Kidston Washbag for camping in a couple of weeks. It was also nice to have money to just buy some nice things to add to my wardrobe, like the trousers which were in the H&M sale for £5! I am most content, and really should stop spending money now.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#107

I have, for as long as I can remember, suffered from travel sickness on long journeys. It's just one of those annoying things that I never did anything for and just accepted it. I can remember multiple times when my sister has been reading in a car and actually ended up being sick. It's never been that bad for me, however when we first travelled to Newday in 2009 I finally decided I needed to get something so that I could read during the 7 hour journey to Norwich! This year I've got one step further.

Lots of people have spoken about having these wristbands, and I know lots of reviews have said it was good for morning sickness. The tablets I've had in the past haven't been bad, they have worked for me, but they can have some side effects. Last year, for example, I woke up at 5:00am to take them as it has to be 2 hours before you travel [another con] and I ended up sleeping in and being late! So I thought it would be interesting to see if these work just as well, because then I don't have to wake up early and potential have side-effects. I'm also going to take the tablets along with me, just in case...

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#106 [Memory Monday]

This picture may just go down as the best family photo we've ever got...except Dad isn't in it - whoops! This was at Rosie's 30th Birthday Party last year, where we watched 'The Kings Speech', very old fashion style.

It was one of those spontaneous moments where we asked someone to take a photo of us quickly and then everyone who had a camera turned round to take a photo [hence the laughing]. And for once we all look quite nice! It was such a lovely evening, dressing up and having lots of yummy food. It was all in the detail, from the hand-made party hats, to the vintage style popcorn served at the start of the film. Definitely one to remember!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#105

Lets go to the beach-each, let's go get away!

It's another "We had a really nice day in the sun, I really enjoyed it and I love the sun!" post. But seriously, it's the first proper beach trip I've done so far this summer and it was really nice. The water wasn't too cold, I didn't go in properly, I stuck to what I know best...sunbathing. Accompanied by the latest issue of Glamour Magazine - it was perfect. Roll on many more days like this, whilst the sun sticks around.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#104

Today consisted of peek temperatures in the UK, being the hottest day of the year so far, and possibly for the last couple of years too. It's almost got to the point where people are starting to complain! I will admit that at work I did complain a lot, but that was because I was just SO hot. Working somewhere where we've got the oven, coffee machine, constantly running around and washing up just makes for a very sweaty day. However when I got home I got changed straight away and caught some rays.

I stuck in my ipod, played some games on my Kindle and I was content for a good couple of hours! Although people are complaining, I think everyone would be sad to see the sun leave.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#103

Today was a day full of filming with Beckii, which went rather well actually! We managed to film 3 videos, and she was also vlogging throughout the day.

Not looking my finest

Excuse my un-showered and a bit bedraggled appearance, as we were outside and it was rather sunny! This was when we were filming the 'I <3 summer' tag which was fun as we both love the season of summer very much. It was also nice to be in front of the camera again, as it rarely happens, even if I didn't look my best. I was looking forward to editing the videos when Beckii left, however my editing software seems to being playing up, so I have left it for now.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#102

For the last couple of weeks/months I've been organising some t-shirts for our youth group to wear at Newday this year. As soon as we mentioned that we were doing it, of course the leaders coming with us and the younger youth group also wanted some too. After lots of ideas being discussed and played around with we finally have our t-shirts printed, and we picked them up this evening!

17 days!

One thing we have on ours, which the others don't, is nicknames, which was quite amusing trying to work out what everyone was going to have. I don't really have a nicknames within the group that everyone calls me, but Adam refers to me as 'Tash Bish Bash Bosh' and that was the best I could come up with. The whole point is you put it on a t-shirt and it becomes official - right? I'm definitely looking forward to everyone wearing them in a couple of weeks time, especially with some of the nicknames that people have chosen and the baffled faces that will follow them.

If you want to find out more about Newday then visit the website...http://newdaygeneration.org/

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#101

Tonight I bought my first alcoholic beverage, and it really wasn't that much of a big deal. Don't get me wrong, I had such a nice evening, but some people just go crazy when they turn 18.

Definitely a girls drink

I've heard so many stories of people who have just gone out and got absolutely 'smashed' and I think it's such a waste of time and money. The main thing I was looking forward to when becoming an adult [I still don't feel like one] was having the freedom to just go out and have a couple of drinks with friends. And that's exactly what we did tonight; down the local pub for a nice meal and some drinks in the sunshine, it was lovely. And surprisingly civilized. 

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#100

For my 100th post it may seem the most boring/simple picture of this blog yet, however this just completely sums today and how I'm feeling.

Blue my mind

This was taken today in Lauren's garden whilst we were doing some sunbathing, and it honestly makes me so happy to see the sky like this. Yes, I do understand that it is just a picture of the sky, but for the weather to be like this in the UK is quite a rare thing. To be able to wear only shorts and a t-shirt out and feel at a good temperature, if not a little too warm at some points, is just not a normal thing. And I am very much hoping that this weather stays for the long haul, or at least when we are camping in 3 weeks time.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#99

Nothing makes me more happy then spending a day with Lauren, doing some shopping and enjoying the sun. Granted we did spend most of the time complaining we were too hot!

We had lunch on the Cathedral Green and it was so lovely; caught some rays and had a good natter. It was also a successful shop as I picked up some Topshop nail varnishes and some rings from Urban Outfitters which I am a little bit in love with. I am very keen to enjoy some more sunbathing tomorrow!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#98

Finally, a British Men's Wimbledon Champion - it only took 77 years!

We thoroughly enjoyed watching Andy Murray playing some really good tennis, if not stressful at times. We of course had to go for a very British lunch, with strawberries, Pimms, cucumber sandwiches and a victoria sponge cake. The amount of pressure on Murray to perform was crazy, but he pushed through and beat Djokovic in straight sets. It was such a nice afternoon with friends, and topped off by an awesome game of tennis to watch.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#97

Yay for the weather finally being nice! Although I did spend the majority of the day inside at work, not so fun.

In the garden

But of course it was straight outside into the garden as soon as I got home; had to get a bit of sunbathing in. I then had to make cucumber sandwiches and a victoria sponge in preparation for the Wimbledon Mens final tomorrow! After watching the Women's final today I was a bit disappointed as it was over so quickly and the match didn't really go anywhere. Where as hopefully tomorrow it should be an awesome Djokovic - Murray showdown - fight to the death. But not quite death!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#96

Newday is fast approaching, and me and Tara have yet to sort out a tent! So I thought, seeing as the weather has decided to perk up again, it would be a good opportunity to put up Alex's tent in the garden and see if it was big enough for us. It's not like we need a huge tent, as hopefully we won't be spending too much time in it, but we are girls, and we accumulate a lot of stuff! We also need room to get ready in the morning of course.

I'm impressed with myself that I managed to put it up and pack it away again, all by myself! Some people [men] will say that it's easy, but I am a girl, and a lazy one at that. I'm thinking it will be enough space for me and Tara, as long as we keep it tidy! I am now going to enjoy the sunshine for the rest of the day :)

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#95

Today was not a day to be baking, however I had a pudding to make for a BBQ this evening so I had to crack on. A couple of weeks ago I was watching This Morning and Phil Vickery made what he called a Raspberry and Blueberry Cheesecake.

It's basically a cross between a pavlova and a cheesecake, so it involved making a meringue. I've done meringues before; I enjoy eating them, not so much making them! he amount of time it takes to wisk it just puts me off - I'm lazy. My creation doesn't exactly look like what Phil made but hopefully it will taste okay!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#94

Andy Murray's quarter final match was probably the most tense match of Wimbledon yet. Granted, I didn't watch all of it, but coming back from being 2 sets down is no mean feat.

Come on Murray!

It was one of those events where everyone seemed to need to write a status about it on Facebook, or do a cheeky tweet; it would seem that the whole country was watching. I feel a little bit bad for Murray as last year he got into the final and lost to Federer. So far this year Federer, Nadal and Tsonga have all been knocked, which inevitably would mean that he should win. The amount of pressure that is on him is far greater than previous years because the public genuinely think he can do it this year. I think that it's very easy to base his performance and success on who he is playing and whether they play well. When ultimately it is down to how well he plays on that day, taking every match separately. I do honestly think he has a chance of winning, and I will happily get into the British Spirit on Sunday - if he gets through to the final!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#93

If you have any knowledge of the beauty world on Youtube, whether that be an avid watcher of all the favourite beauty gurus, or you've just seen a tutorial here and there, then you are likely to have heard about there cult-beauty make-up brushes. 

Expert Face Brush and Core Collection Brushes

The Real Techniques brushes by Samantha Chapman [from pixiwoo] are the go-to brushes for anyone who is slightly interested in make-up or beauty. I would not really class myself as being good at make-up, as usually I'm pretty lazy with it, but I do enjoy watching many, many Youtubers who are good at it. I still remember watching my first pixiwoor and Zoella video's, and it's crazy to think how far they've come now, with both now having over 1 million subscribers. I was lucky enough to be given these as a birthday present from my family, and although for some people they may seem like a waste of money [my boyfriend included] I think it's just one of those products which are so well-loved that you almost become part of the online beauty community just by owning them. And as an added bonus they are really, really good brushes, and really reasonably priced as well! I can safely say I am very much looking forward to using and enjoying them.

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x

#92 [Memory Monday]

I have recently been looking through lots of old pictures that we have on out family external hard drive, as I thought I could pick out some gems for Memory Monday. 

This picture was taken of me and Sarah at Centre Parcs in 2011, when we were there with all the family. It was the first time I had ever been to Centre Parcs and it was so much fun. I enjoy most sport related things, if it is for fun rather than competition/exercise purpose, so I had a great time. Going in the swimming pool and down the rapids, playing badminton and just generally spending time with friends was a lot of fun. We have been back since, and I would definitely go again!

Until tomorrow, Goodbye x