My Goals for 2016

So we've survived it people, 2015 comes to an end tomorrow to make room for the madness that will soon hit us in 2016. A lot of me is so sad to see this year end I've had great memories; see my photo album post. Although it didn't start off great (I was unemployed for a while and was ill for 3 weeks after my 20th birthday) I started my new job in April and I've never felt happier in a place of work, we are all like a family. I've had ups and downs with my friends which has just made us realise how genuine our friendships are and I've met some incredible people along the way. I've had my heartbroken, I've had a fair share of breakdowns but the main thing I remind myself of is I'm alive. I'm here. Life is actually pretty great.

I didn't want this to be too lengthy but I have a feeling it will so if you want to stop reading just look at the picture above. This post is about my goals for 2016. Not resolutions because they are so easily broken and cliche. I wanted to make a list that will excite me when I tick off each one and won't get boring to do. So here goes;

Happiness

An easy, straightforward and ongoing goal. Well, I say easy it can be pretty difficult. Some days nobody can drag me down (NOBODY, NOBODY!)(sorry one direction moment) I'm happy and giggly and if i say so myself, funny. I actually light up other people's day but then I get dark days, I get anxiety, I worry, I get paranoid to the point where I argue with loved ones. But I just want that to change. I'm going to cleanse my mind and my surroundings so I just have positive vibes in this often dreary world we live in and appreciate what I have. As I said before; Life is pretty great.

To Celebrate My Best Friends' 21st

So myself and my two closest friends from school all have our birthdays within 2 weeks of eachother. One is 20th Jan, the other is 28th and then mine is 3rd February so we all tend to celebrate together, however my goal (see below) is to go away for my 21st and Becky is having a party so I'm going to ensure we all party that little bit too hard in honour of the 3 of us. We're all growing up, we've seen eachother's triumphs and losses and I'm hoping this stays for life.

To Go Somewhere Beautiful For My 21st

I always see people visit some amazing places for their birthday and this year I am determined to do this myself. My heart is set on a few days in Prague or Rome, somewhere with substance and history with the most amazing picturesque views. I have the week off, why not spoil myself ey?

Confidence

Over the years, my confidence has grown mountains but I still have a long way to go when it comes to believing in myself. But I want to put myself out there more, set my mind on something and achieve it, no setbacks, no doubts. That would be my proudest moment.

To Be More Healthy

A bit of a cliche, boring goal for you. I often look at the stuff I eat and it makes me want to go out and buy a bucket load of salad, fruit anf veg but no matter what, the motivation goes. And the word Gym? It's foreign to me and I honestly don't see how people have the energy or time to do it. It's not even to lose weight, to just have a bit of a detox to see if it re-energises me a bit. Small realistic changes.

To Visit My Best Friends Up and Down The Country

Because of the wonderful invention of the internet, I have been lucky enough to 'meet' some beautiful, amazing people I'm comfortable to call best friends. So I'd love to just go and spend some time with them this year. I have Sam from Middlesbrough, Jay from Southampton along with a few in London I've met at shows and meet-ups and even Soph from Dublin. Some quality time with my girls and boys in person instead of over the phone would literally be amazing.

To Do A Good Deed Everyday

Whether it's just a smile to make someone's morning, I think giving back to people is the best trait someone can have.

To Go To A Festival

As you know, I love music but I've never been to Glastonbury, V, Leeds, Download, Reading, nothing like that and I reckon the experience would be like no other. Although the lack of hygiene does panic me ever so slightly!

To Invest More Time With Friends And Family

It's not until it gets to Christmas that I realise I feel like I neglect my family and friends because of work or just because I don't text them once a day. So spending some more thought on them wont go a miss.

To Improve My Blog

Everyone has room for improvement so I want to make some personal goals for myself, because I enjoy blogging, I want others to enjoy my blogging too! New equipment, fresh ideas, collaborations with different companies, I just can't wait.

I hope you all have an amazing New Year, and I'll see you in 2016!!

Lots of love

Katie x

2015; The Year Of Memories

A couple of months ago, I decided I really wanted to own a photo album with memories of this past year. Lurking around my house are many photo albums from when I was younger, my siblings were younger and my parents were younger but with the new technology of Instagram, Facebook etc. owning a photo album with physical photos is unheard of. I know the trend of Polaroids are back in but I don't think anything beats flicking through an album.

You might be surprised that you literally cannot purchase a photo album ANYWHERE, unless its a wedding album or another occassion, there are just photo frames everywhere which was so frustrating so in the end was forced to find one online and I fell in love with this. 

I got it for around £5 on Ebay and it's perfect. It holds 200 photos, has lines to write captions/memories beside each photo and the cover is so pretty. My only qualm (i like that word) is that you can only put in your photos horizontal, meaning my selfies are sideways but I suppose it's the memory that counts!

I spent quite a bit of time out of Plymouth this year as well as spending time with my friends and working; I went to Cardiff for the X Factor tour with my sister, I made monthly trips to London with my good friend Charlotte before taking my mum on her first proper trip there in August (the original time we were stuck in a coach station all night because we missed the last bus) and I met up with very talented people along the way who I become very close with (some more than others) ... 

ANYWAY, this book is full of my favourite moments of these past 2 years that I can keep forever and look back on as well as adding more memories to come. It also shows how myself and alot of other things have changed already but I will always have those moments with me.

Courtesy of The Wanted and my favourite song;

The Memory Of Being Here With You, Is One I'm Gonna Take My Life Through, Cause Some Days Stay Gold Forever.

Katie x

Blog For The Passion, Not For The People.

Recently I've been reading a hell of a lot of posts about how people are panicking about having writers block, not being happy with what they post and how their layout looks. 

My only advice is just STOP.

Stop what you are doing, stop panicking, stop comparing yourself to others and think back to the day you decided to make your blog. What inspired you to communicate your message to this crazy world that is the Internet?

Granted I haven't been blogging properly for very long but I think too many of us are hoping to be the next Zoella overnight that we're forgetting our own identities and we've stopped writing what we're passionate about and more about what we think others want to read. That's when the panic kicks in.

There are thousands of blogs created and it's inevitable you are going to feel drowned in a sea of bloggers all over the world, but this happens in whatever creative field you're in. Music, Dance, Acting. Everything takes time to graft, and make a success and a following comes with it but don't make that the reason you want to blog, blog for YOU not for other people. Think about the likes of Adele; she didn't release an album for 4 years until it was perfect, she didn't release an album every year that she was unhappy with and it was rushed just to make others happy.

Every blogger is wonderful in their own way and I enjoy reading several blogs and the ones I enjoy the most have an identity, it reflects them as a person not just 'lifestyle' 'beauty' 'fashion'.

Basically what I'm trying to say is; it's okay to feel passionate about blogging but stop putting so much pressure on yourself to be perfect overnight, to worry about your stats and your figures. Do it because you love to write, do it because you love to share your voice and opinions. Do it to express yourself. Be yourself.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.

Katie X 

Day 16 of #Blogmas | Christmas Fancy Dress

I absolutely LOVE Fancy dress all year around. Who doesn't love dressing up whatever the occassion, halloween, a party but nothing compares to Christmas. My favourite holiday and favourite thing, I can't think of anything better!

Of course like anything, you can go all and be a big ass Christmas Pudding or you can wear something skimpy and slutty and chuck on some novelty head piece. Here's a few ideas;

Christmas Pudding:

Snowman:

Reindeer:

Santa:

Elf:

Cracker:

Christmas Tree:

Angel:

In work this year in work on Christmas Eve we're having fancy dress and here's my outfit;

 

Merry Christmas!!

Katie x

Day 15 of #Blogmas | Christmas Party Vibes With Boutique Of Molly

So it's Christmas Party season and no matter how many dresses you have in your wardrobe you always need one to suit the holiday so you don't understand my excitement when Boutique Of Molly contacted me to do a lil collaboration with them!

There were so many beautiful dresses and pieces it was so hard to decide but in the end I just went for the 'Georgia' Padded Sweetheart Dress. I must admit I was little worried incase it arrived and was way too short but I adore this piece SO much, it's so effortless to wear and the perfect length especially for this time of year. I figured it was a staple item to have in my wardrobe and perfect to dress up or dress down for a Christmas party or any occassion infact, completely versatile! It slips on with no zips or buttons and is made out of a stretchy material which hides all your lumps and bumps so you can snack on all the Christmas goodies all you want and still look sexy!

 

I teamed it with my Kelly Brook Fur Shoe Boots from New Look and added my Aspire Crescent Moon Pendant from Pluto's Ego to add some bling to a simple get up.

 

I'm a sucker for little online stores I find on Twitter but honestly I highly recommend this online boutique, it's only small but the quality is impeccable, sexy and affordable. I'll definitely be buying more things from there and I just know they're going to be a growing success.

Check out Boutique of Molly for yourself!
Website: http://www.boutiqueofmolly.com/
Twitter: @BoutiqueOfMolly
Facebook: Boutique Of Molly
Insta: BoutiqueOfMolly

Katie x

Day 14 of #Blogmas | Writing Christmas Cards

Okay do firstly I'm going to start off by saying I'm SO sorry I didn't post yesterday, I've been working really long weekend shifts and my mind was elsewhere! Now that's out of the way ....

I've always had a thing about cards, I think it's the perfect opportunity to write something personal for someone. Whether it's a funny one, a beautiful wordy one or a blank one so you can do your own message, if I get given a card for Christmas or Birthday it tends to mean more to me than a gift.

If I'm on a budget I'm so guilty of buying cards from Card Factory because they are bargain prices but the quality isn't cheap, most of them are gorgeous and unique! But whether there is space to write in or not I always write a little personal message rather than just "To/ Bob, Love Katie" that's so pointless. I do tend to get carried away though, the message to my best friend was a page long but my excuse was the inside of the card was Grey okay? I think it's perfect too if you don't have time to buy a gift for them, words can be amazing. 
Oh god look at me sounding like a bloody English teacher poet!!

This year I thought I'd be different and buy my family cards from Funky Pigeon (because I got discount shh) I love these card making websites! Granted the choice is a tad limited but I don't know about you but if I saw my actual name or face on a card I'd get excited!

Then you get to neighbours, colleagues and others, you aren't that close to. I got this box of cards from Studio 24 for a great price! See when I was at school and had to write loads of cards I was OCD and separated them into piles of each design so not everyone has the same card ... But then I'd always have a favourite card so I'd give people I liked more that card and the worst looking one to the people who I reluctantly gave one to. 
Man I'm such a bitch haha!!

Do you have any Christmas card traditions?
Hopefully I'm not the only one!!

Merry Christmas!!

Katie x

Day 12 of #Blogmas | Films at Christmas

Just like everything there is always something that links back to a memory or holiday. A particular song or film. And that's what I'm gonna post about today. Films that I have to watch every year without fail else it isn't a typical Christmas!

The Santa Clause

It doesn't matter if it's just one or all 3. This is my favourite Christmas trilogy of all time with one of my favourite actors; Tim Allen. It never gets old, I'd say the most "relatable" and the least childish Christmas film because they're just a normal average family who's lives completely change just because (Tim) was silly enough to try on Santa's outfit after Santa fell off their roof Christmas Eve. Makes me laugh every time, every year, every film.

Toy Story

The best animated films only come on at Christmas time and this is an all time classic for the whole family. Following Woody and his gang on their crazy adventures beyond Andy's room, everyone grew up with Toy Story whether it was 1, 2 or recently 3. And you have to cry at least once a film. Toys have feelings too!

Elf

Now judge me, I only watched elf for the first time like 2 years ago but I instantly discovered why everyone fell inlove with it so much! How can you not love Buddy who grew up as an elf but he is HUMAN then he has to adapt to the real world in search of his parents. It's so heart-warmingly funny.

Shark Tale/Finding Nemo

Either or both. You can't beat an animated film about fish can you?

Shrek

Another one of my all time favourite trilogy's. Nothing I love more than a play on the classic fairytales with all my favourite characters. These films are genius.

High School Musical

The original. Everyone knows the first scene of New Years Eve, the first time Troy and Gabriella meet sending our "OTP" scales through the roof! (one true pairing for those not with the lingo) the whole film just has a Christmassy Winter feel all the way through I love it! And who doesn't love a good karaoke sesh?

Harry Potter and The Philosopher's Stone

Again the original! I think because this is the least played in the series I associate it more with Christmas and I don't know why but I get teary in the Christmas Day scene where Harry is like "I've got presents?!" Breaks my heart. But all of the Harry Potter's are incredible!

There are probably a few more I associate with Christmas but these are the staple films. Call me crazy but I'm not mad on Christmassy films other than the 2 mentioned. I am so bad with watching classics and new releases because I don't tend to have the patience to sit through a whole film.

Suggest some films for me to watch and I'll give them a go I promise! 

Day 11 of #Blogmas | My Christmas List

ITS 2 WEEKS UNTIL CHRISTMAS IS IT TIME TO PANIC YET?!?

This year I'm not entirely fussed about things for me. I know people think this is such a cryptic to say when you're a girl and actually we'd get disappointed if we get nothing but I genuinely had trouble writing a list. Maybe it's because nowadays if I want something I buy it instead of waiting for my birthday or Christmas. But here's a few things on my wish list;

Adidas Superstar trainers

You can't go wrong with a good pair of trainers and yes I know everyone owns them but I took a liking to these in particular. They have a floral design instead of just black and if you know me I like things a bit different to the norm!

Ari by Ariana Grande

Ariana is one of my all time favourite people ever. She's adorable and amazing and the lungs on that girl! So you understand my excitement when she launched a fragrance but I haven't gotten around to buying it yet! Perfect stocking filler.

Leather Gloves

For the diva inside of me. I've always wanted a pair but when it comes to leather I'm VERY fussy it has to look right and not tacky. These are so cute with the fur on the end.

PJs

A staple buy every Christmas. I'm living Missguided's Nightwear range which is relatively new. It's sexy and looks super comfy too I can't wait to get some.

Daniel Wellington Watch

I've been dying for one of these since I discovered a girl on Instagram wearing it this is the "Sexy Sheffield" version with diamanté's on. Way out of my price range usually but maybe Santa knows I've been a good girl!

A Purse

I was devastated a few months ago that I lost my purse on a bus and no one was decent enough to hand it in. Luckily it only had money and no cards or personal items in. So I've been on the lookout for another perfect one. River Island purses are beautiful and stylish and very similar to the one I once had.

A Camera

Because mine is dunzo! And since my blog is just getting going id love to not have to use my iPhone for photos. I love vintage style pretty cameras (I'm SUCH a girl) but really any will do!

Chanel Boy Bag

A girl can DREAM! It's so impossible to save up for one but I am determined to get one even if I'm 50 when I get enough. This one is Kylie Jenner's and it's beautiful! Santa really will be a babe if I get one!!

Leather Skirt

Here we go again with the leather fuss. I haven't found a perfect one that is in my price range yet they're either too frumpy too slutty or too just NO! I love this one though the zip detail gives it a unique touch which I always look for!

Lipsticks

Because they are the one makeup product I can't live without! If you've seen my other posts I am very sceptical about MAC but for Christmas I can make an exception and they do the most beautiful purple shades that I need in my life!

The Sims 4

The Sims have been a part of my life growing up I had all the PS2 games and my brother sold my last The Sims pc game. But I'm so ready to try The Sims 4 since getting a laptop that I could play it on, come at me!!!

Concert Tickets

It doesn't matter what where or when, if you know me gigs are my favourite pass time. The past year I've spent watching unsigned acts but honestly if someone surprised me with Justin Bieber tickets I would DIE! He is making such bangers lately and let's be honest I've always been a closet fan!

Annnd there we have it! 

A bit boring I know but as I'm older I tend to buy what I want nowadays I don't just wait for someone else to buy it for me!

What's on your Christmas list this year?

Day 10 of #Blogmas | Marshmallow Cornflake Christmas Mess

So here it is, the second Christmas calorie ridden yummy treat on my blog!

 

It was originally meant to be a Rice Krispies, round, Christmas Pudding but instead I used cornflakes and way too many marshmallows so it's a sticky (yet tasty) mess!

Hey, I'm not perfect! ;)

This is definitely such a good recipe to make with younger members of your family who love to get their hands mucky without the need to bake or cook.

Make them yourself here;

Ingredients:
200g of Milk Chocolate
50g of Butter
180g of MarshMallows
100g of Cornflakes (or Rice Krispies!)
50g-100g of White Chocolate


Break your chocolate into squares and melt your Milk Chocolate and Butter together in the Microwave or on a saucepan of boiling water, making sure the bowl doesn't touch the water.

Once melted, add in your marshmellows and allow them to melt into the mixture too.

Sprinkle in your cereal of choice into the gooey mixture and mix it in. I suggest doing half and half so you don't use as much elbow grease!

Leave this to cool for a few minutes before spooning out the mixture onto a tray or plate into little balls (this is where it failed for me!)

Place into the fridge to cool for 15 minutes and prepare your topping. Melt your white chocolate depending how covered you want your sticky mess.

Take your dish out of the fridge and either use a spoon to pour the white chocolate on top or make a piping bag if you want to make it more precise.

Allow the chocolate to set on top for 5-10 minutes.

Finish with a holly decoration or icing and enjoy!