When the word of 'mindfulness' first appeared in front of me, it rang a notion of calmness and serenity. And I wasn't wrong. I think it took me a while, after reading the word somewhere, to actually decide: 'Right, I need to learn what this is and put it into practice'.
From my own experience, mindfulness isn't something that you can switch on and off and, actually, if you wish to introduce it in your day to day life, it can be quite a skill to continue. For me, what mindfulness means is taking a moment out of your life to look after your mind and settle. Think of it as a nap for the brain where you're aware of what you're doing in that moment and can take away any negative build up from throughout your day.
There are a few little activities that I rely on to bring me that feeling of mindfulness and, while I don't always get time to practice them every day (or even every week), I do know that they, bit by bit, can help heal my brain and give it that little extra TLC that it sometimes needs.
One Line A Day
I can't actually believe that my One Line a Day book has almost been going for 2 years! I've kept it up! Admittedly, there have been times when I haven't filled it in for a loooong time and I've had to scour through my photo albums, my calendar, or my tweets to see what happened that day but, good news is: it's there! Everyday says something and I'm proud of that.
The reason why the One Line A Day books are so valuable when it comes to mindfulness really depends on how you choose to use it. Personally, I decided to refrain myself from writing negative things in this book. Everyday I write something that happened that day but I make sure it's something positive. This way I can ensure that, when reflecting on the day, I'm always looking for the greener grass.
Colouring Books & Reading
I put these two together because I feel like they provide the same kind of mindful affect - that's the feeling of distraction. When life gets a little bit too much, too hectic, or you're feeling a little lonely, sometimes being distracted and taking your mind of things to concentrate on something else can really benefit the brain.
Colouring books are particularly useful for this because there's a sense of achievement when it's completed. This diverts your brain away from the troubles of life and more towards the desire to complete and feel proud of your achievement at the end.
Similarly, reading takes your mind into a different world. For this one, I would recommend positive books. Whether you like it or not, some of the cheesiest, most cliche storylines are the best for your brains. They're easy to take in, there's often some loveable characters and, hopefully, are less likely to leave you bombarded with obscure philosophical theories (or whatever is likely to really get the brain working). Remember, invest yourself in the colouring or the book. Be aware of the characters or the way you keep the colours inside the lines and let only those thoughts distract you.
Walks
It doesn't matter if you're going on a walk through a forest or just around town; lifting your head up, opening your eyes to what is around you, and taking a stroll in somewhere you enjoy is well known to be one of the best mindfulness activities.
If you're having a wander through a local forest, take a look at the trees that you pass and try to identify each type. Or watch out at the bottom of tree trunks to see if you can spot any mushrooms.
When you're next in town, look at the logo's on the shop signs, look for architectural buildings above the windows, watch the lives and pathways of others pass you by.
The mindfulness in this is to not let your mind wander too much and to think creatively. This is where 'thinking outside of the box' comes in really handy however sometimes it's about enjoying the little things - what's in front, below, around and above you? Taking a mindful walk is like feeding your brain and is fantastic if you need a little distraction. Just make sure you don't let your mind wander.
Positive Quotes
This one might sound a bit obvious but, I have genuinely found that exposing myself to positivity makes me more positive yourself - even if that just comes from words on paper.
However you wish to display your favourite quotes (which are easy to find on Pinterest), whether that's on a Pin Board, a light-up box, your screensaver, or painted right across your bedroom wall, make sure that when you're reading that quote every morning, you're being mindful. It's amazing what a few words can do if you really let them impact you and mean something to you. For example; one of my current favourite quotes is 'Alice had to fall down a hole before she got to Wonderland'. Obviously, one of the reasons why this is so close to my heart is because it's Alice, OK, we're over that bit. Most importantly, it makes me feel like I can power on. If I'm going through a rough patch then that means I'm still falling but, when I reach the bottom, it'll be completely worth it.
Quotes like these that can be applied to any situation and interpreted to personalise yourself and your most current worries are the really special ones and, if you can use them to encourage yourself positively, then you're taking one step closer to a happier mind.
What mindfulness ideas do you use to keep a healthy mind?
Blogging these days is different to when I first started. Every other blogger doesn’t just write, they also vlog. My ‘blog’ started in 2013 but, as some of you may know, I do feel that I didn’t really get serious and devoted to it until I graduated college this year. Back in 2013, the small vloggers on the go were sat in their dim-lit bedroom, whispering so their parents couldn’t hear, telling us everything that they bought in Primark on Saturday. Amongst that, there was the high-shining, up-and-coming, ‘YouTube Gang’. The ‘successfuls’; Zoella and Joe, Alfie, Marcus, Tanya, and so on (FYI I’m not here to mention that Zoella topic. We’re over that now). While my opinion may be controversial, I do believe that half of the reason for Zoella’s success (and many of the famous YTers) is that she was simply at the right place at the right time. And to me, that’s not unfair. It’s lucky, yes, but it’s not a crime; that’s just life. But, there’s undoubtedly a LOT more people on the vlogging scene now. It’s becoming more accessible and people, bloggers especially, are finding it more normal to do within society. When Zoe primarily blogged, everyone else did. Now, she primarily vlogs and that’s exactly the change that the blogging community is following suit with.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I love watching video blogs and I think it’s a great outlet for sharing information, growing your following (plus, what else would I do while I ate breakfast in bed on my days off?) and, over the years, MANY people have told me “You should vlog, you’d be great at it”, but there are a few reasons why I, personally, haven’t yet jumped on that bandwagon.
A LOT OF PEOPLE DO IT ALREADY
I recently explained myself to a friend as ‘A plankton in a very big sea’ when it comes to my place in the blogging community. And, of course, I’m not the only one that can be swallowed in self-doubt from time-to-time - that’s natural. But, I do feel that, even amongst just the bloggers, it takes quite the loud voice to be heard. Because, believe me, I work hard on this little platform and I admittedly feel proud of what I create. It’s my passion and I do feel a great sense of elevation when I’m rewarded for it. The vlogging world, however, feels like an even BIGGER sea. Videos are a lot less niche. Anyone, any age can watch them and, because they’re so explicit, less open to interpretation and more visual that blogs, there seems to be a greater sense of hierarchy.
Let me simplify that: Not everyone like to read, but a LOT more people like to watch. It’s easier to do. And people know this; brands, influencers, etc, know that this platform is probably the best form of marketing so they get themselves on there. I don’t do it because there’s just so much going on over there that it’s harder to get your voice heard. I feel like having a blog means you have a niche audience and arguably more loyal.
MY ACCENT
I reckon this is the main reason why I’ve never uploaded a YouTube video, and that’s my accent. If you didn’t know already, I’m from the hardy, industrial region of the North East called Teesside and, if you’ve never heard us (often referred to as ‘Smoggies’) before, then all you basically need to imagine is a Yorkshire accent mixed with a Geordie accent. Now, while that may sound like a cute little blend, it’s more like a miserable Geordie that involuntarily coughs up a Yorkshire twang every now and then. It’s dull. My accent, when played back to me, makes me cringe and squirm. I know, I know, I’m not the only one but, honestly, I put mine up in the top 5 worst UK accents.
HIGH STANDARDS
As I explained earlier, the original vlogging was ‘[sitting] in their dim-lit bedroom, whispering so their parents couldn’t hear, telling us everything that they bought in Primark on Saturday’. Now, if you check out a vlogger with around 500-1000 subscribers, they will have a half-decent camera, a luxe set up, and pretty good editing skills.
As well as this, the highest standard vloggers (people from Zoella to Lily Pebbles) have VERY high standards that are out of most peoples reach. If you wanted to be as successful within the vlogging community, you’d have to pay an arm and a leg for a ring light, a box light, a Cannon DSLR, a backdrop, and what-not. It may be accessible and easy to vlog, but the element of success seems just so out of reach and crazy.
A LOT OF PEOPLE STOP BLOGGING
It makes me sad to see the tumble weed rolling across the blogs of these successful vloggers after they’ve been neglected to Youtube. Meanwhile, I’m empowered to see the likes of In The Frow and Kate La Vie still bossing their blogs and posting regularly.
Especially for me, a writing enthusiast, the idea of loosing touch with my blog and writing is a sad one. Some vloggers seem just so unfazed that their blogs have been forgotten about but, personally, I’d feel so much guilt and responsibility. If I started vlogging and ended up letting go of my writing, I’d never forgive myself.
Have you ever had one of those days where you just want to be tucked up on the sofa, cup of tea in your hands and every possible cosy thing you could think of - including the best Feel-Good TV shows? Whether I'm unwell, feeling a bit down, or just generally fancy treating myself, there are 5 TV shows that I can always count on cheering me up.
From my own experiences, I know that there's something just so comforting about watching a TV show that makes you forget about everything and really have a laugh or feel warm and fulfilled inside. There's also nothing better than watching these great shows on a TV with truly stunning High Definition, real-life colour, and streamline design qualities - just like the Panasonic HDR 4K TV.
Now, one thing that may seem unusual about this list of TV shows is that there will be no mention of Netflix so if, like me, you haven't jumped on the Netflix bandwagon (for both reasons that there's still good TV outside of that and, damn, I just can't afford it), you'll be happy with this list. So, I'll categorise this into the top 3 TV channels (covering many of their different spin-off channels): BBC, ITV, and Channel 4. But first, a mini disclaimer: I haven't watched absolutely everything so, if I don't mention your favourite, don't worry; I am probably planning on watching it.
BBC
Homes Under The Hammer - This is just one of those day time TV Shows that somehow always draws me in. I think, as a creative person, and someone who relies on their creativity to increase their mood, there's such a huge sense of satisfaction when you see the original state of the house and get to follow it's journey to being a gleaming new home.
Autumn Watch - If you're anything like me and have a slightly (very) overboard obsession with everything to do with Autumn, you'll absolutely love the cosiness and warmth that the cute animals and interesting factual info that Autumn Watch can bring. If you haven't yet had your Autumn fix from my Instagram page, then this is the TV show for you.
ITV
Family Guy - This cartoon comedy NEVER fails to make me giggle. This one is quite controversial to some people but I know that it has great pick-me-up-powers for me.
Celebrity Juice - If you don't mind a few shocking words and expletives, then you'll be up for Celebrity Juice. And, let's be honest, you've probably already watched it (or at least seen bits of it) because it's been around for so long and is sooo popular.
The Elen DeGeneres Show - If Elen doesn't pick you up at all then I think we're stuck. The Elen DeGeneres Show can be caught on ITV2 through the daytime and is FILLED with positive vibes and is designed to make you leaving that little bit happier.
Love Your Garden - I'm not really sure if this can always improve your mood because there's been a few occasions in which I've turned on the water works to this show. Again, watching this brings great satisfaction when you see the transformations and there's a few chuckles in there too.
The Chase and Tipping Point - I've popped these two game shows together because they both provide the general 'forget-about-life' feeling. You can find yourself really getting invested in these shows and really routing for the contestants.
This Morning - You're probably aware of the heavenly combo that is Holly & Phil. Those two have so many entertaining laughs on their 10:30 TV show: This Morning. I love to watch this on my days off because, not only does it open my eyes to some more difficult subjects, but there's also some really wonderful sections to that show such as the cooking, fashion, and the weird & wonderful.
Through The Keyhole - Again, while Keith Lemon isn't quite everyones cup of tea, if you can tolerate him, Through The Keyhole is definitely going to distract you and pick you up.
Channel 4
Friday Night Dinner - I am SO sad that this TV show is no longer with us. It's final series aired last year which was heart wrenching as it is so classically funny. If you've never seen this before you MUST watch it.
Farther Ted - An oldy but a goldy. This true classic comedy is something that will just never get old in my eyes.
Gogglebox - Friday night, post-pizza, ready for a bit of a laugh. Gogglebox really does throw out some hilarious gags. I'm 99% sure that you know how this show works and, if not, then you really should free up your Friday night and give it a watch.
The Great British Bake Off - I don't think I even need to say 2 words about this one. It's a Godsend. This show came down from heaven and then, when passed on to Channel 4, happily continued to be just as magical.
The IT Crowd - I remember that I started watching this sitcom when Jamie was going on holiday for 2 weeks and I knew I'd need a distraction from being lonely. I absolutely LOVED it. Channel 4 really do cough up some fantastic comedies and this was one of them. Again, this TV show has sadly now finished but if they ever brought it back, I'd be right there.
My Mad Fat Diary - Back in the Summer of 2015, when I graduated school, I turned to the haven that is Channel 4 On Demand and finally opened up the treasure chest that I had heard many, many people talk about before. My Mad Fat Diary is a gripping, raw dramedy set in the 90s. The characters are loveable and, while there are many ups and downs, the ending is warming and generally feels complete. I did binge-watch the entirety of all of the seasons within a few days but wouldn't hesitate to re-watch.
What TV Shows can you rely on brightening you up?
If you've seen my Instagram, you'll know that I have somewhat of a 'theme' or colour scheme and that, at the moment, it's particularly Autumnal. Now, while Instagram 'themes' are sometimes frowned upon by some bloggers as 'fake' or 'high maintenance', I just never felt happy with my Instagram until I finally got comfortable with my theme. For me, having an aesthetic/colour scheme/theme is as satisfying as wearing red socks with that red jumper or adding a little gold ornament into the room to match the gold feet on the coffee table. It makes everything fit into one piece. But, I would say that, what makes my 'theme' different is that it doesn't require me to take 100 photos at once and only ever post them. In this post I will explain how I use different apps to enable my everyday life, activities and adventures can be posted but still manage to fit into a theme for my Instagram.
A little disclaimer; I don't think a theme is vital to your Instagram. In fact, I definitely don't think my Instagram is as heavily themed as other accounts are but, however they look, everyone's is equally great. The reason my Instagram can be seen as 'themed' is because I do use the same edits for each post meaning they are all linked in that way. The reason I'm wirting this post is because I went through a time where I just couldn't settle with my Instagram; I felt at a loose end and as though it didn't express me - this is for those that feel the same!
The two main Apps that I use are the trusty common ones: VSCO Cam and Planoly.
VSCO Cam
Whether I take the photo on my DSLR (currently the product that helps me the most with focus controlling) or my iPhone 6 camera, the majority of anything that I upload onto my Instagram or blog has a run through VSCO Cam. I use the feature 'Copy Edits' from existing photos in the library then 'Paste Edits' onto anything I want to post. The main filter that I use on my photos was purchased form VSCO shop - the packs start from 99p each and are pretty worth it. The one that I use on nearly every photo is C1 from the 'Vintage Classic' pack.
Obviously, because I add these edits to all sorts of images, some of the photos don't take the filter as well as others. In this case I will adjust the edit a bit so, because of that, I won't always go full-on with the C1 filter.
I then add exposure which I feel is always added to photos in the blogsphere because, generally, brighter photos tend to go down well. Again, the amount of exposure that gets added to each of my photos depends on the existing brightness. For example, if you see the image of the Madeira Cake above; due to the area of the room in which that photo was taken, the picture needed a bit more exposure than the Leaves next to it which was already accommodated by natural light. I might sound easy and 'duh' but, a few months ago, I too found it difficult to get this balance and be able to work with my editing.
After this, I generally add 1+ of contrast. This is because I like my images to have quite a bit depth and also reflect that 'moody' autumnal vibe. Contrast is brilliant for scenery pictures because of the levels that it manages to enhance but can also work really well at highlighting products in flat lays - just be careful no to use too much.
The 4th crucial edit that I add onto my pictures on VSCO is 'Fade'. I usually apply this edit to between 4+ and 5+ and it is really useful for toning down the image, stopping a striking colour, and generally giving a calmer vibe. If you want to apply 1+ of Contrast but you feel it makes your image look too harsh, try adding Fade and see if that can compliment your image.
In addition to those, there's often things that do get added or taken away from new images. For example, sometimes if an image looks a bit green, I can go and + Tint, to bring some more contrasting pink tones. Similarly, if the picture looks blue or too cool, I'll up the temperature (and vice versa).
Overall, it did take me a while to come to a settled 'theme' for my Instagram using VSCO and I did do a lot of experimenting. I do recommend that you take time to fiddle around with every different control on the app, and learn to work for the image. If you have photographed a product, don't just edit that product - it's easy to forget about the background and foreground, but they're just as important.
If I didn't add fade to this edit, the deepest shadows of the trees would be black as opposed to the most pleasing, wholesome dark green.
PLANOLY
I don't doubt you've heard (if not have) Planoly but, if you haven't heard already, it's basically a place where you can preview how you Instagram image is going to look next to the rest of them on your grid. This is something I think is vital if you wish to have a theme or colour scheme because it prevents you from making that awkward mistake of posting something, hating the way it looks on your grid, then deleting it.
Planoly is a great way to test colours together. For example, if you have a lot of photos with blue in them, you can use Planoly to space the images out to avoid too much colour-flooding. I tend to do this on my account and, at this time of year, it's green. While a lot of my photos include green (because of my use of nature and outdoor places), I like to break up the green colour but also use this as a way of linking my images together.
It might sound complicated but, honestly, with a watchful eye and attention to detail, you can use Planoly to create a brilliant jigsaw puzzle of a grid.
In the next year, I do have plans to update my iPhone 6 and introduce portrait mode and better quality photographs. At the moment, I'm pretty happy with how my photos are going and I don't think that I would be this way if I hadn't settled with a 'theme', nor started using VSCO Cam. If you are struggling to find a middle ground for exactly what kind of theme/colour scheme/aesthetic that you want to start working towards, head over to Pinterest and type 'VSCO'. You'll be amazed at all of the inspiration there and, once you've had a play around, you might just find the one for you.
I think the most important message is to 'do you' - whether that is settle with a theme that reflects your personality, or just post whatever you like whenever you like. Honestly, having this vibe on my Instagram reflects me so much and makes me really happy. You should give it a go.
Feel free to ask editing questions!
I think it's safe to say that, for me, October has been brilliant this year. While there may have been moments where I've felt a bit down, in hindsight there has been so many amazing things happen to me. This post is something that is going to be a bit of a mash up because, while I did plan on doing an October Favourites, October Round Up/October in Pictures, AND a November goals, I have decided to whittle it all down into one collective post where, in a few months or years time, I can look back and see exactly what October 2017 brought me.
So, I reckon the best way to do this is to be my little organised self and split this up into sections. Firstly, I'd really like to share the things that I've achieved recently (I enjoyed sharing this for September in this post), as well as my favourites, a round up, and November goals. So, depending on what you're most interested in, you can just follow that section. Anyhow, here's how my October went...
ACHIEVED
As I mentioned in the September achievements post, I have recently came to some sort of acceptance with myself when it comes to feeling proud of myself. I feel like, in this competitive world, there often isn't enough time to sit down and reflect on the things that you've recently conquered; be it big or small.
GETTING A JOB - This month I have achieved something pretty big on my scale and that is finally getting a contracted job. As of late October, I officially became a team member with Superdrug as a sales advisor. While it may be far from the career aspirations that I do have, this finally makes me feel like I have my feet off the ground. I went through a period of time where I was feeling extremely worthless because I was yet to find a job while everyone else was earning their own money and it did put me in a bad place; now, I feel like myself again because I have achieved this milestone.
FOLLOWERS - Now that I'm feeling happy and more consistent with my Instagram 'theme' or 'aesthetic' - as well as receiving some lovely messages about my feed - I think it's starting to show with my follower count. So much so, I'm heading towards 500 followers which is making me really happy! Now, believe me, I'm not the kind of person to check my follower count twice a day and aggressively unfollow anyone that unfollows me, but when I do have a glance at the numbers, I am feeling pretty happy with my little progress.
DRIVING - Calm down! I haven't passed yet. Sweetie, that isn't for a long time yet. My 'achievement' with this one is just plain old sticking with it. If you know me or have read in previous posts, you'll know how much I hate driving. I have no interest in cars, I have about an ounce of patience (which is already given up by the follow-to-unfollow people on Instagram), I'm scared of going fast, and I just generally don't like learning that way. So, sweet little October has brought me the achievement of perseverance with driving. Despite the long way left to go, I'm keeping my chin up and looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel.
FAVOURITES
THE BODY SHOP FUJI GREEN TEA BODY WASH AND MIST - After my trip to the Body Shop Blogger Event I discovered the Fuji Green Tea Range (I know, I'm late to this bandwagon) and completely fell in love. As the Green Tea season in The Body Shop had came to an end, the Metro Centre store had very little products left there so I was unable to buy the body mist and shower gel. Fortunately, there was still stock on the website so I got straight there. I have been obsessed with this refreshing smell and often get complimented when I'm wearing it. I honestly can't believe it's taken me this long to Find it.
SURE SENSITIVE DRY MAXIMUM PROTECTION ANTIPERSPIRANT DEODORANT - Blah blah blah, breaking boundaries, blah blah, talking about natural bodily functions. Basically, like every human being, I sweat. I also have sensitive skin. And, wow! This deodorant has been amazing to me recently. The thing that I love most about this product (besides the lovely, cream consistency that is perfectly sensitive) is how long the smell lasts. There's only one way I can describe this smell and that is: clean. It smells fresh and for SUCH a long time. It's so refreshing to see a product actually do it's job and make you feel happier with yourself.
TONI & GUY SHAMPOO AND CONDITIONER - There's countless variations of Toni & Guy hair washing products out there but this month it's been less about their hair saving, moisturising, nourishing, purifying, volumising qualities and simply just the fact that a lot of their shampoos and conditioner smell incredible. Their lushes scent not only lasts in the shower but I can actually still smell it for the full day afterwards. There's just something so satisfying about a hair product that doesn't just wash out.
BOTANICS ALL BRIGHT REFRESHING EYE ROLL ON - As you may already be aware, I am a brand ambassador for Botanics in Boots stores and, at the end of September, I was very kindly gifted some more products from them. This time, I got the Eye Roll On and, throughout October, I completely fell in love with it. There's often a misconception that bloggers always give flattering reviews when they're gifted products out of gratuity but, honestly, this eye roll on has been incredible to me (and occasionally my boyfriend who has taken a fancy to it). The lightweight gel glides perfectly onto the skin under the eyes and, because the roller ball is metal, there are excellent cooling qualities to it. If I've had a long day or just removed a full face of make up, this little gem is my knight in shining armour. While I do love to use it every morning and night, it's particularly appreciated in those kinds of situations.
ROUND UP
WATCHING - I've been watching a lot of Vlogs this month and they've particularly been my best company at breakfast. Besides watching the obvious ones like Zoe and Alfie, I have discovered Good Mythical Morning which is basically talk/game show style weekly videos hosted by two guys: Rhett and Link. If you haven't discovered them yet, check them out - they'll most likely put a smile on your face.
READING - Yep, that's right, I picked up a book this month for the first time in so long. I'm currently reading The Manifesto on How To Be Interesting by Holly Bourne. I might not be very far in but I'm feeling content that I've been picking it up.
EATING - Strangely enough, the meal that I've been craving this month has been something that I have loved all of my life: Spaghetti Bolognese. I think the colder nights have urged me to eat cosier and more hearty meals which is why this has made such an appearance.
TRAVELLING - My heart has been stolen by the stunning North Yorkshire this month which, to my advantage, is just about on my door step. You'll know this if you saw my posts about Thorp Perrow and Ilkley. I think at this time of year, there's nothing more magical than truly embracing the UK's most natural locations.
ENJOYING - Taking photos. I feel like my inner-blogger is really starting to sprout lately. Don't worry, I'm not taking pictures of every single piece of food that I eat, I just keep finding myself filling up my camera roll after every trip out.
EMBRACING - Autumn. If I say the word 'autumnal' to my boyfriend one more time I think he will break because I am SO obsessed with Autumn. I have bought new autumn jumpers and picked up tonnes of red leaves. This season is just always on my mind.
NOVEMBER GOALS
In November, I really want to prove that I can do this. Wether that is continue driving with a determined mind set, show my work colleagues that I'm worthy of being there, or generally just being my own girl boss. I'm so proud of how my anxiety has been somewhat the underdog in October and I really want that to continue this month.
I'd love to go the whole month on a steady and healthy Xmas present plan. At this time of year, I'm not the only one that winces at money spent so I do wish to try my hardest at being calm and collected and getting things done as early and efficiently as possible.
In terms of Social Media followings, I'd love to get my Instagram up to 550 by the end of November in order to eventually finish the year between 600-700. I feel like, with the algorithm and what-not, Instagram has been my least favourite platform lately but, now that I'm getting comfortable with my feed, I really hope that this goal is achievable.
Get ready for Blogmas. You heard it here first! This year, for the first time ever, I am *hopefully* going to be doing my very own '12 Days of Blogmas' which means that from December 1st and December 24th, there will be 12 posts up. However, as I am now an employed woman, I better get a move on preparing these posts...
And breathe! I hope you enjoyed this mash-up blog post!
How did your October go?
I'll always say, if I had to choose between traveling abroad or traveling Britain, I would always pick Britain. My boyfriend and I share the desire to explore the beautiful places that this place has to offer and, this time, it was Ilkley. If you don't already know, Ilkley is a small town located in West Yorkshire and is often recognised by people for being mentioned in the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire: 'On Ilkley Moor Baht 'at' (an old, somewhat bizarre, folk song sang in a true Yorkshire accent). Anyway, despite knowing quite my bit about the place after visiting, I too didn't have much knowledge of the place before I went and, in fact, hadn't really heard of the place. The reason that Ilkley fell into our hands this time is because we found, on AirBnB, a 'heated pod' called The Snoozy Owl to stay in. Seeming totally up our street, this 'Glamping' pod was booked and we headed on the nearly 2hr drive to our little holiday.
Here are the 5 Things that made this trip special:
1. Because the Pod didn't have TV or particularly strong WiFi, Jamie and I decided to take a little bit of a 'Digital Detox'. Now, I'm not claiming that we locked our phones in a safe for 3 days and started rearing plants, we just took time to indulge in activities that we might not usually do and put our phones down a bit more often. This included reading Magazines which we carefully chose and selected from the local Newsagents; listening to the local radio station, and playing games such as Connect 4 and Scrabble. I find this particularly special because, not only is this good for the brain, but I think it can be quite valuable bonding. But, what I valued the most, was not caring. I did intend to put around 20 Insta stories up everyday showing what we were doing, but for no apparent reason, I just didn't and I didn't care. I felt happy enjoying myself and keeping it to myself and that brought a great sense of serenity. Sometimes it's nice to see what's happening through your own eyes instead of through your phone screen.
2. Every time I visit a new place, my little fingers head over to the keyboard and get fishing out the best food and drink places to visit in the area. One that stood out for me since the day we booked this trip away was Toast House. This place is a little independent Coffee House located within the Town Centre which was a 10 minute walk from our Pod. We popped in here, mid-afternoon, for some Tea and Cake. I got a huge, but well desired, mug of tea with a Gluten Free Salted Caramel Brownie, while Jamie got a large, and hearty, Latte. I mean, I think it goes without saying that this was delicious. We sat at the window and watched the traffic go by, as well as people walking in and out of the famous Lishman's Of Ilkley shop. What struck me about this little cafe was how much it was buzzing. It was busy, I get that, but I think for me, it was more just about how this little place was buzzing. Everyone seemed so invested in their conversations together and we were all sitting lovely and cosy, well fed and watered, away from the cold rain outside. I couldn't recommend this place enough.
3. One of the benefits of putting our phones down was being able to look up more. When we were walking around Ilkley Town, not only did we notice quirky buildings and unique places - such as the Victorian Arcade which was a beautiful, elegant hidden surprise, and the Ilkley Cinema which was a little door tucked away in a building - but I also noticed how the place was surrounded by beautiful hills and rural scenery. Unfortunately, the weather on our trip was stormy a lot of the time and we didn't get chance to go on the long walks around The Moor to see viewpoints and points of interest that we intended to visit, but we now know that there are things for us to come back for and at least I got a glimpse of what the area had to offer.
4. I have to say, the traditional aspects of this town really warmed my heart. This includes things like the old Tudor buildings with their white and black design dotted around the streets and impeccably preserved; the village vibes; the hum of that Yorkshire accent through the area; the historic buildings such as the Victorian arcade; the cute, independent bookshop that I could've walked around for hours and, of course, the Betty's Tea Room which was decorated up to the nines with everything Autumn. While the Betty's, as ever, was super busy, with a queue to sit down even for a cuppa, it was lovely to look through the window at the charming and intricate display that was going on. There's something about walking past a Betty's that makes you think: 'Yep, I'm definitely in Yorkshire', and I love that.
5. Last of all, the Pod played a big part in making this trip away special and unique. The lovely host left so many lovely little touches for us to enjoy. This included, homemade jam and marmalade which tasted incredible; a fully equipped kitchen, perfect for when we cooked our Spag Bol; a selection of leaflets and books giving information about things to do in Ilkley and jars full of sweets and biscuits for snacking. We were kept lovely and toasty while we watched the rain beat down outside. Everything from indulgent memory foam pillows, adorable reupholstered chairs, owl decor, and a lovely vintage radio - this little hideaway, situated in a lovely little town, was packed full with everything you would need for the cosiest, most relaxing holiday. I can't wait to visit again, and I am so grateful to the host for having us.
Have you visited West Yorkshire before?
It was a short while ago now that I was gifted Gel Nail Polishes by Classy Nails UK after finding their brand from a Blogger Outreach on Twitter. The communication between the PR team was lovely and, after having the freedom to choose 4 colours of my choice, they arrives pretty swiftly.
The colours that I chose were Pink Flush, Perfect Pink, Peach Sorbet, and Orange Passion. First of all, as lovely as the colours were that I received, Perfect Pink and Peach Sorbet were not as pictured on the website. I know, this is not just a problem from Classy Nails - any nail varnish is difficult to depict on screen. The hot pink colour that I received (Perfect Pink) was shown on the website as a paler, softer pink and the Peach sorbet was more of a brown nude, but shown on the website as a purple toned nude. Despite that, I was happy with my colours and got over that blip.
The website was easy to navigate, each polish is sectioned by colour, and they also offer great 'Starter packs' for if you don't have an existing gel kit at home. Each nail polish is individually boxed and, when arrived, was packaged securely and nicely.
On the side of each box, the polish claims to be 'Easy On and Off', 'No Chips or Scratches', 'No nail damage' and 'Fast Drying time' but, most importantly: '14+ DAYS'. The box also has a great set of directions on the back.
Before I share my opinions of the Classy Nails Gel Polishes, I do wish to throw a little disclaimer out there. I am not a professional nail artist. I used the Sensationail Gel Polish Kit meaning, I used their lamp, nail primer, top/base coat and after treatment. When wearing these nail varnishes I did not come into any unnecessary contact with hot water or take part in any tasks that were particularly labouring on my hands.
The first time I used these polishes was for this hot pink design. Each nail had 3 coats of gel polish (which is fairly average because they should be applied in thin layers), then the ring finger also had a few coats of the Pink Flush glitter gel polish. I liked this look but would definitely apply the glitter with a sponge next time because my nail turned out to be about 3mm thick after applying lots of coats. Schoolboy error.
I was satisfied with the easy application process and the shine that I saw at the end. I took this gel polish off my nails exactly 14 days after applying it however, when taking it off, there was only actually three nails left with polish on as the rest had already split and peeled off. I was a little disappointed.
The next design that I did after letting my damaged slightly nails relax and breathe for two more weeks was this nude to glitter fade one. I was totally in love with this design and couldn't stop looking at it. Application took a little bit longer as the thin nude colour needed a few coats but this time I used a sponge to apply my glitter and found it a lot better. I was complimented on this design at my Blogger Event on the evening of the day I did them - I was over the moon.
Unfortunately, I was really upset to see that just over 24 hours later, my nails had began to peel off. My nails were peeling from the end, where the glitter was, which is somewhat unexpected. The entirety of my nail design was completely gone after around 3 days and I was gutted.
Admittedly, the problem could be down to multiple factors (the polish, the Sensationail kit, my application, my nail type, etc) but these polishes just aren't the kind that I would wear for a 2 week holiday. The have a brilliant shine and finish to them that you can't get from normal nail varnish, but they just last the same amount of time. I will continue to use these, but sadly with low expectations.
To wrap this up, the claims on the box are a mixture of right and wrong. Yes, the polish is 'Easy On and Off' but, just perhaps too easy to get off. There were 'No Chips or Scratches' but I always felt that the finish was too silcone-like to be chipped. My nails were slightly damaged after removal and last of all, I think claiming that a gel polish has a 'Fast Drying time' is completely unnecessary as LED and UV lamps have select drying times, no matter what the type of polish it is. As you know, the '14+ days' just doesn't even go near.
Let me know your favourite brand of Gel Nail Polish!
Jacket: F&F Clothing || Sunglasses: Topshop || Jumper: Bershka || Jeans: Topshop || Shoes: &Other Stories
This weekend, Jamie and I decided to take a day out to a new place that we'd never visited before. We took the 1 hour drive to Thorp Perrow with the intention to have a look around, take a few pictures, Meet the Owls, and join in with a guided Mushroom Hunt. We were super lucky to get such lovely crisp weather with the low sunshine coming through the trees - this was captured so beautifully in some of the pictures taken that day. I was truly blown away by the forest and abundance of grand, old trees across this huge park - I could've spent the whole day taking pictures if I had the time.
Meeting all of the birds was fantastic - animals never fail to impress me and make me smitten. The bird shows 'Meet the Owls' and 'Flying Display' were brilliant and really showed off the fantastic traits of the animals. Our mushroom hunt was great too; there was so many people there and it really didn't feel 'nerdy' or 'weird', everyone was having a great time, involving eachother and just being so friendly. There was less of a sense of 'that's my mushroom, I found it' and more of 'Wow you did an awesome job finding that one'. I loved that atmosphere and would gladly join again next year.
All in all, I'd definitely re-visit Thorp Perrow. While I was least impressed with the Tea-Rooms and state of the toilets, the forest and animals were something that I could never get tired of.
Anyway, instead of writing a lengthy post about mushrooms and trees, here's a bunch of photos for you to look at from the day. Enjoy!
Have you ever visited Thorp Perrow?
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