REAL TALK

Judging by the title of this post, you should know generally what the next few paragraphs will consist of. I don't know why it's such a taboo subject for women because essentially it takes two to 'tango' - for want of a better word! You get males thriving off their sex lives and getting continuous praise for being a "lad", a "player", upping his numbers, however if a woman dares to even discuss their bedroom activities we are branded a "whore", a "slut", talk about double standards, eh?

I feel like this isn't communicated enough, there's so much talk of equal rights in the workplace, feminism acts that yes, are just as important, but shouldn't a female feel comfortable in her day to day life without being judged and scrutinised for being single? All this 'independent woman who don't need no man' talk is fine but a girl is allowed to have fun with a guy(s), I mean, there's only so much Ann Summers stock that can satisfy alone.

It's 2018, we have come so far in the progression of the LGBT community and taking pride in who you are and who you love, but what if you enjoy being single with numerous sexual partners? As long as the right precautions are taken, I'm not trying to promote unsafe sex at all, use contraception, whatever form that suits you and do whatever and whoever you like!

We live in a world that we all think it is okay to judge others whether that be on their appearance or life choices because from a young age our minds are drilled with idealities that are simply just unrealistic. It doesn't help that technology and social media has allowed us to share so much more which can create vulnerability because it allows the public to form an opinion of you when in reality, who gives a crap what Doris from Stoke had for breakfast?

Unfortunately, being part of a lifestyle because of where I work, it's similar to a Uni environment where you live on campus and everybody knows your business because we are so close knit, there's always mutual friendships/enemies just around the corner so if I even get spotted with male, it's escalates into a story so extreme I feel like I should be in my own soap opera, and the worst part is, because of our nosey nature and being gossips, people will believe it and spread it further. So what if I am sleeping with the bloke? That's OUR choice, we don't need your 2 pence worth.

What does it really matter to you? Why are you questioning it? If it makes a person happy, makes them feel empowered then we should encourage that not belittle it.

Everybody is different, everybody progresses through life differently, so why don't we all just mind our own business and focus on perfecting our own lives before involving ourselves in others.

The End.

Playsuit: LASULA

Katie x

Entering 2018 Confidently.

Hey boos,

What a busy end of the year I had and definitely one year to put behind me. 2017 was a rollercoaster that by the end I was contemplating just jumping off before it finished it's course. But after 2 weeks off to relax at home with my family celebrating a very delayed Christmas, things are definitely beginning to look up. I've cut ties with anything toxic jeopardising my happiness, my progression in my job is just about to start and my best friend is one step close to moving up and working alongside me in the very near future. Let's just pray this level of positivity remains eh?

Along with positivity is confidence and 2018 is the time where I'm putting this into practice alot more and bringing back the Katie Pook that at 21 thought she could conquer the world. In 2 weeks I'm turning 23 and it's perfect opportunity to adjust back into that mindset and set myself up for the future. There's no better time than the present!

First things first I want to feel more comfortable in my own skin. I aim to take more selfies and post to Instagram daily. It may came across self-obsessed and vain and appearance isn't the key to confidence but it's 2018, social media is at it's prime and yes, I may be completely hung up on it but I'm only human and honestly It has (so far) made a difference.

Completely contrasting the heavily filtered, fake reality of Instagram, I have also taken a break from the gruelling chore of make-up and allowing my skin to breathe. Now, in the past the thought of channeling my bare-face in public without a hint of concealer freaked me out however, in a roundabout way it is evidently improving my skin with the help of moisturiser to keep my face hydrated. Again, this may not seem a big deal to many but after suffering from chickenpox 22 years late last year, noticable scars were left and my confidence plummeted, but just like everything else, it is part of who I am and it's my chance to embrace it.

Anyway enough self-love for one day. Let's make 2018 a year to remember, who's with me??

Update: A Week Away From the Blog

Hello, hello. So lately I really haven't been in the right frame of mind to post anything which is a shame because everyone knows how much I love to blog but I can tell you now the posts last week would have been depressing to say the least, let's just say I've had a crappy few weeks without getting into it. But I'm trying this new thing; positivity, controlling my paranoia and putting things in perspective. 

Clean Slate:

Everyone is bound to have down days but I have to be thankful for the people around me and also putting my head down and focusing on work has helped alot and the customers/patients I've met really inspire me, some of them you wouldn't even think were seriously ill with their chirpy attitude and smile on their face, except for the fact they're in their pjs! They make every moment count and that's what I aim to do. I'm 21 for goodness sake I still have the rest of my life ahead of me, onwards and upwards I can do whatever I want, I can deal with whatever life throws at me. This is my clean slate.

Tattoo:

Last week I also got a tattoo! 10 points to Katie for being brave but it was for a very good cause. Basically, a family friend of ours had just been diagnosed with Crohn's Disease and went through emergency surgery that saved her life. She's a young girl, a mum, a fiancée she should have her whole life ahead of her too. So in aid of that her fiancé is a tattooist and set up a fundraising charity day to raise awareness and money for the disease and thank Derriford Hospital who saved her. This is also my first arm and visible tattoo {my other 2 are on my back} so this marks the occasion too!

The Blog Tag:

The one thing I was most frustrated about my lack of motivation was I recently become apart of the Facebook group "The Blog Tag" and it's the best idea since sliced bread if you go through heavy writers block! The Blog Tag was set up to prompt people different ideas for posts with a new theme each week and then the posts are shared so everyone can read eachothers interpretation. I honestly cannot wait to get started on this, everyone's posts so far are brilliant and maybe this means i can start blogging alot more which is definitely what I want so keep an eye out!

Bullet Journal

Everyone is suddenly obsessing over this craze of organisation myself included and I'm the worst at not knowing what's going on in my life so this is the perfect way to set out and plan my world. I definitely will do a separate post on my own Bullet Journal when it's less empty and basic but if you feel like you definitely need organising, I highly recommend this system! Just YouTube and Google blogposts on them and you will get a ton of inspiration on how start one.

And I think I'm all caught up now. Again I'm sorry for the absence it won't happen again.

Lots of love

Katie x

Time For Some Fitspiration

I honestly applaud people who can genuinely just get up on the 1st of January and have the motivation to lose weight and detox their body from Christmas. For me, it's not that easy. I mean c'mon, how can you suddenly start eating healthy when there's still a dozen leftovers like selection boxes and Quality Street tins laying about waiting to be eaten?? But it's coming to the end of January and there is no yummy indulgent distractions left so now really is the perfect time to feel better about myself.

I must admit it is pretty difficult for me to eat normally as I work evenings so I have to eat my meals before 4pm and I work weekends until 8pm but I'm determined to work out something that will actually help me. It's not as such losing weight, I'm a size 10/12 but I haven't exercised properly for a long time since I stopped dancing so it's more about toning up and feeling confident. Also, I feel sluggish, have zero energy alot of the time and my digestive system has really been giving me grief lately. So it's time for a change and a detox so i feel healthier as well as look better.

I picked up a few glossy mags and went onto Womens Fitness website to give me an idea of where to start and these are a few tips I've picked up to help get me going that may be useful to you too;

- You should drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to hydrate your body's cells. This will prevent bloating and even improve your skin health. Also if you drink water before or after a meal it speeds up your metabolism.

- Take a probiotic supplement to help your digestive system. Of course this is completely optional but I think my body is telling me I need some kind of TLC.

- So apparently lemon and ginger are natural weight loss aids that also speed up your metabolism, take care of your stomach and claims to be the ultimate weight loss booster.

- I've got my hands on Charlotte Crosby's 3 Minute Belly Blitz. Hopefully this will be the exercise motivation I need as gyms terrify me!!

- If you are feeling peckish, snack on some pistachio nuts, apparently they are full of protein and healthy fats that prevent you from that sudden urge to binge eat!

- Reading every single "LOOK AT ME NOW" article there is a running trend of poached eggs, porridge, salmon, chicken and green veg in their daily intake. These are definitely the staple buys I will be purchasing.

- If all else fails; get a tan! Just because the weather is rubbish doesn't mean you can't glow. It actually makes you look slimmer but also feel that extra bit confident instead of being that miserable milk bottle in the corner.

I'm starting off small, and not expecting incredible results but I think by actually blogging about this will give me the motivation to succeed and maybe even write down what I eat daily. I found when I did Weight Watchers actually writing down my meals helped me keep track and by writing it publically obviously I don't want to put down that I ate a whole chocolate cake so it gives me the mindset to be good and eat sensibly.

Just a small catch though, I probably won't start this full-on until I'm back from Dublin after my birthday so if you do see me on Twitter or Instagram eating that chocolate cake, please don't yell at me!!

Lots of love

Katie x

Online Friends.

Hello m'loves.

So, this post today is something very close to my heart aswell as i'm sure thousands of you out there; Online Friends.

Who remembers when they were younger before "proper" social media was invented we were taught not to talk to strangers, not to speak to anyone you don't know online etc. (although i must admit the awful days of "chat rooms" there were a few, lets say "interesting" individuals you came across.) but like everything technology has evolved! Facebook was invented to reconnect with your friends and family but the Holy Grail that is Twitter was basically created to interact with people you didn't know.

Think about it, Celebrities and aspiring musicians/artists/actors etc use Twitter as their primary source of gaining new fans to grow their following and success. To be honest, it's quite impossible to even remember life before it. How did we find out the latest gossip so fast? What did we use to vent? How did we know about events etc? It's very scary how pretty much everyone on this planet relies on the internet nowadays. And of course, by following your favourite people you're going to interact with other new strangers who share your interest from all over the world. For something potentially so dangerous, it's actually pretty amazing. 

Over the years I have been lucky enough to find friends across the globe from when i was a fan of The Wanted {y'know the other boyband that wasn't One Direction .. Glad You Came?} well with their growing success came growing fans and I was in this little bubble with so many my age who wouldn't judge me unlike my "real life" friends and we would gossip, laugh, cry together until the early hours of the morning, gushing about our love. 

Honestly, when I first got Twitter I never expected to be able to grow such a deep connection with someone over a computer and I have had many friends that have come and gone but each time was truly special and if you had the opportunity to meet, it would be the most emotional time you could experience. Thanks to everyone I've met online, I've had the chance to travel some of England, Ireland and Wales. I've gained experience and memories so to those who frown upon it, those who constantly undermined me and judged me for liking "a poxy band" it was the best decision of my life.

And here I am today. I may not be crazy over a boyband anymore or in any kind of fandom but at almost 21, I'm still meeting and befriending people everyday. With different lifestyles, different backgrounds it's so fascinating to me and right now I have Dublin to look forward to where I will see Soph who I met in 2011, I'm going on adventures with Charlotte {who lives near me BUT WE MET ON TWITTER} and my two current closest friends Jay and Sam who I met online, and we are all uncomfortably close to the point we share everything. 

And even more exciting news; I GOT TO MEET JAY YESTERDAY.

 

Never underestimate the power of the internet.

My word of advice is; Speak to Strangers! (But obviously be aware of creepy people lurking around.)

Love you all lots!

P.s. My photoshop is back up and running so I'm playing around with header ideas for each post, what do you think?

Katie x

How Has The First 7 Days Of 2016 Treated You?

It's a week into the new year and some may say that's a little early for anything significant or important to happen but that my loves is where you are wrong.

These past 7 days has seen break-ups, make-ups, laughter, sadness and excitement. If this is anything to go by, 2016 is going to be a very bumpy, eventful year!

To be honest it's amazing how one moment, one second, one message can change everything. Very early on I've lost friends that I thought I meant something to but like I said just one message can prove that can change in an instant. Backstabbing and outright rudeness is not something I'm going to tolerate this year, but I'm taking a different approach to it. Yes of course confrontation is necessary just to find out the reasons for turning their back on me but I think life's too short to constantly argue, either they make the effort or I'm removing their toxic attitude from my life. This is a way of boosting my postive vibes this year.

However onto a more exciting happier note; my 21st is creeping closer and closer and guess what? I'm celebrating it in Dublin! I know I said my heart was set on Prague or Italy but it just was not practical for the short space of time we have. 

I've been to Dublin before and it's a very beautiful city and we're staying right in the centre where I'll be able to visit all the landmarks, go shopping and best of all, there is a nightclub attached to my hotel(!?) amazing. Also I haven't seen my best friend Soph who lives there in over 4 years so meeting up with her will be so lovely! You can definitely expect a detailed, blogpost on this trip this time next month!

So there we go 2-3 of my goals for 2016 have been actioned already in 7 DAYS and I hope the rest of the year helps me achieve so much more, and that's what my message is to everyone. Why wait? Just go for whatever you want, make changes in your life NOW, because there is no room for regrets anymore. However there is room for bad choices and those are what make the best stories to tell! 

Hope you all survived your first week back to work/college/school too!

Much love

Katie x

First Post Of 2016 | Bedroom Tour

Hello my loves, and welcome to my first post of 2016! I hope you all had a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year and like me, ate and drank that little bit too much!

I never mentioned this in My Goals for 2016 post but the one thing I've had my heart set on for years now, is to have a bedroom I am actually proud of. See over the years, I've always drawn the short straw, I live in a flat with my parents and I either shared with my sister or had the box room so my brother could have the bigger room, leaving no room for a space of my own but in just under a year I've finally achieved that and I wanted to share it with you!

Let's start from the beginning, the very first thing I did was plan the walls. After years of having posters plastered all over my room I finally decided it was time to grow up. (sad face!) Anyway, I love feature walls but I'm not a fan of patterns too "in your face" and extravagant, after all I do have to sleep in here! So, in the end I went for this gorgeous, cream wallpaper with roses on, it's so understated but definitely adds that little bit of character to the room.

Next up is my bed, oh I do love being single and having a double bed! No duvet hogging and overheating in the night just me, myself and I .. well ... and the cats when they break in my room 5 in the morning! Clever little buggers! The best thing about this bed is the leather headboard, I don't know why but I'm so inlove with the way it looks and it was literally the reason I chose this bed but its so comfy!

I never intended on the cream and brown theme, before I had pink bedding but since my mum bought me this duvet set for Christmas I've really grown to love it and I've bought curtains in Chocolate brown and now I'm on the search for the perfect lampshade! (I do get very OCD about these things!)

Now for where the magic happens .. my make-up table, that is actually my chest of drawers, which is actually for storage.

A quick little run through on whats on it because I know some people are nosey and like to know this stuff; 

Ari by Ariana Grande perfume which I got for Christmas, Impulse spray in Romantic Spark, Vaseline underarm deodorant, Cath Kidston make-up bag I got for Secret Santa this year which contains my everyday make-up essentials, Minnie Mouse wash bag from Primark which contains everything else from eyeshadows to nails, The Vintage Cosmetic Company tweezers in floral, Avon Care hand cream in Royal Jelly, two travel size tubes of La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo + cream which I was recommended by a girl on Twitter for my annoying breakouts, simply amazing! Avon Care Face Cream in Royal Jelly, Garnier Micellar Water, Make-up Wipes, Cotton pads, Tresemme Heat Protect spray and my Nicky Clarke Hair Dryer!

Whilst we're at in let's throw in my dodgy mirror above! This is what you get when parents try to do DIY together and clash ...

My cute clock that my mum literally give me about an hour ago that she thought would look cute and it's cute! How cute of her!

Here's my cute quote that, after having for about 6 months I finally decided to put up. This means an awful lot to me because if I'm ever having a bad day or a tough time, it reminds me of how many good times I've actually had in my life and the special people that I've met along the way. It just makes me smile. I've also had these colour-changing flower lights for a long time which I've only just put up too just to make it look a bit pretty and colourful.

Last but not least, my shoe rack ... and I don't even think this is all of them! Here's a picturesque version with my quote above it ...

and here's reality! 

Hey I'm not perfect!

So I hope you've enjoyed my little room tour, literally my room is tiny but like I said, I am finally happy with it .. for now. It's a cosy little space I can call all mine!

So Adios amigos, love from Katie and Phillip xxx

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 

Which Pill Would You Take?

It's midnight and I'm laid in bed doing my usual routine of scrolling through Social Media until I can't keep my eyes open whilst trying to put the world to rights in my head and it just so happens that I come across this.

Most of the time I just ignore these kind of things that come up on Facebook and this is the first and last time I will admit Facebook inspired a blogpost but this one actually made me stop and think for a minute. Imagine if you were given that decision; having the opportunity to go back and change your past or $10 million cash?

The quick and easy choice would obviously be take the money and run. Who cares about the past!? it's all about the future! YOLO! Then I actually thought properly about it.

The reason we are where we are today is because of the decisions we made in the past both good and bad, imagine having that opportunity to fix those regrets, mistakes, decisions to see if they really did impact your life. They say that the littlest things can make a person's day so what about the bigger things making someone's life?

Yes, a lot of issues and worries in my (and several other people's) life concern money but there are so many situations I wish I reacted differently to, things that I worry about in this very moment and to be honest, being able to fix that, to me, is worth alot more than $10 million.

It does make me wonder is money really does make us happy or if it's our mindsets and the way we live our lives that makes it all worth while.

Money runs out, but our lives last a hell of a lot longer, think wisely.

Which pill would you take?

{yes this is an insight to the daily debates that occur in Katie Pook's brain when she should be asleep!!}

Katie x

The 5p Carrier Charge.

The whole of the UK seems to have gone into meltdown over being charged 5P for a carrier bag and personally I find it ridiculous.

Let's be realistic here, how many of us open up our purses (or wallets) and see a little group of coppers wiltering away in the corner because we never use them? They have no relevance to us and if they aren't in our purses (or wallets) we put them in a jar and forget about them. 

THIS IS THEIR TIME TO SHINE GUYS!

Use those 1ps and 2ps and buy a carrier bag! It will lighten the load and leave room for shinier coins we actually like to collect in our purse (or wallet).

People have made such a big deal about it and it's unnecessary really and also once you buy one bag, use your noggin and reuse it. Which actually brings me to another thing that I can guarentee most of the population have; a collection of carrier bags underneath your kitchen sink or stuffed in a cupboard that you have made over the years that you only ever use as bin liners or to empty the cat's litter tray.

THIS IS THEIR TIME TO SHINE NOW TOO!

And okay, it might just be me but there is something so satisfying about doing a daily shop, going to the counter with your basket and the cashier asking "Do you need a bag?" and you can stand there with a smug look on your face and say "No, I've got my own!" 

As a sales assistant, even I have a bit of a giggle when you get customers like that, they are so proud of remembering their bags, we need to aspire to be like that, we need more people like that in the world!

We all preach about wanting a better world to live in, and the whole purpose of this is recycling your old bags so you don't have to pay for another and preventing pollution. Also, I've noticed in most stores they give the 5p to charity, again another great reason to charge!

SO STOP THE MOANING AND EMBRACE YOUR COPPERS AND CARRIER BAGS PEOPLE.

Katie x

The Season of Strictly, Snowman Cups and Soggy Bottoms.

I cannot tell you how excited I am that Autumn is upon us, this is a sentence that usually you'd never hear me say. I hate the brisk cold mixed with that horrid drizzle and would rather be sunning it up in Mexico to be honest. But being born and bread in England we tend to have non existent Summer's anyway so as I've gotten older the more I've grown to appreciate this time of year.

Eventhough I'm only 20 and should be living the young and reckless lifestyle, for me, nothing satisfies me more than coming home after a long shift, getting into my pajamas, grasping a nice warm mug of tea and watching TV.

Speaking of TV, A/W is my favourite time of year for TV shows. The return of Strictly and The X Factor just screams Christmas and also watching The Great British Bake-Off, I mean who doesn't love a good discussion about 'soggy bottoms'?

Fashion in the Autumn is also so effortless, chuck on an oversized jumper, leggings and knee high boots and you're good to go. Simple but chic.

Halloween and Christmas; Well need I say more? The over-the-top commercialised holidays just adds to the excitement. (Although I do work in retail and we celebrate it at least 4 months in advance!) My favourite part is when my Pumpkin Spiced Latte comes in a snowman cup.

Also, everything just smells so much better?! Or maybe I've just inhaled too many scented candles.

I mean obviously it's not all idealistic, as I'm typing, the wind is banging against the windows and this past week it's been pouring down with rain non-stop but being snuggled up in the warm at night just makes it all that bit more bearable, right?

What are your favourite things about Autumn?