Life // Changes

Hello lovelies, how are you all? It's early Saturday morning, Mark's gone off to work like postmen do at these foggy times of the day, and I'm finally ready to blog. What started as a tiny blogging break ended up as a huge I've not posted in almost 2 months scenario. I've missed you all, and my little blog, lots! It's been a challenging time, but also an exciting time, and I'm going to catch you up on what's been happening lately. Settle down and get comfortable!

First of all, Mark, Rufus & I finally made the leap from staying at my mum's house to our own lovely little rented apartment. It's described as a coach house and it's just perfect for us! It was quite stressful making the actual move, and it was quite a while after our official moving date that we actually moved in. On the day of us getting the keys, I noticed all the things that I hadn't noticed on viewing and I felt overwhelmed by the move. After a big clean, and the addition of our belongings, it feels much more like home. Now that we're living there, we love it. We love having our own space and freedom, and choosing furniture and other things makes the creative side of me so happy! We've still a lot of unpacked boxes around, but we're finally getting there.

On moving day, Rufus had to go on his first ever trip to the vets, because he was a poorly little fluff. We were given three different medications for him, and he was totally exhausted by them. I think he was also a little shaken after being handled by someone he didn't know. He's on the mend now, though we're not sure if he's still not quite himself or if he's still settling in after the move. He's got one more course of his last medication to have next week, then we'll take him to get checked over to make sure he's fully recovered.

Whilst all this moving business was going on, I was on the search for extra hours in the form of a second job or a full time job. A couple of months back, I had an interview for a new store opening in Leicester. I was offered the job, but afterwards it turned out the hours weren't what they'd promised, so I turned it down. I was offered this job two further times! The latest offer having been just a couple of weeks ago when I randomly received a phone call offering me 40 hours a week. But through the power of Facebook & friends, I got a temporary job in a lovely little tearoom. This has meant that mostly I've been working 7 days a week, 6 days on a good week. I've been tired and somewhat grumpy! But I've really enjoyed working with the lovely staff at the tearoom, and will miss it when I leave the week after next. My manager in my local newsagent job offered me enough hours to keep me, so I'm staying put for a while.

Then there's my studying with the Open Uni. This is something else that, as well as blogging, has had to take a backseat in such a hectic period of my life. I managed to keep up to date with everything until my final assignment of this module, when I tried to get an extension. Unfortunately, they said the extension this time wasn't possible. But luckily, with my two previous assignment results being high enough, I was able to skip it and still pass as long as I pass the exam. Which is where it gets messy! The day of the exam is the day we go on holiday to Barcelona (12 days!!), and the OU say that going on holiday isn't a good enough reason to miss it. Despite the holiday having been booked in January, when this course started in March. But I'll get on the phone on Monday morning and attempt to negotiate something..!

I'm one of those people that struggles with change, and it takes me a little while to adapt and to feel comfortable again. But lately I've been embracing change and the positive things it can bring. It's been difficult in places, and some things aren't quite worked out yet, but I'm staying positive and enjoying the happy place I'm at now. I can't wait for the break our holiday brings, and to do some exploring in a new place! If anyone has any recommendations of places to eat, see or things to do, I'd love to know!

Thank you to anyone who made it to the bottom of this lengthy post, and I promise normal blogging will resume soon. I don't know how soon, but I do know it's good to be back :)

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Remembering on Father's Day 2014

"This is not the sound of a new man or crispy realisation, it's the sound
of the unlocking and the lift away... Your love will be, safe with me"

This is my dad and I one month before he passed away, in 2009. The photo is tinged with sadness, you can see my dad's stoma which he was left with after a tracheostomy which was supposed to save his life being taken from laryngeal cancer. My dad was very poorly, and the thought of what he went through still and always will make me extremely sad. That's the reality of cancer, which is something so many people are afraid to talk about. It's so difficult to understand until you experience the effects of it, or someone close to you does. I had never heard of laryngeal cancer, but I'm all too familiar with the symptoms now.

On the other hand, the photo makes me happy. It's one of the last handful of times we all went out as a family, with our friends to a lovely local park. We had a bit of a picnic, we played in the park and we enjoyed time together. My dad took photos, and appeared in them too. Being the photographer, it's often the case that there might not be a photo of my dad from an event where only he took photos. This has made me more snap happy, and I would encourage everyone to take photos of every happy moment!

My dad was a get up and do things kind of guy, get out there and live life to the full. If he had his camera with him (as he often did) and he saw a bird he'd been tracking down, he'd stop the car and stand by the road to capture it. No matter if it held him up, he always made time for the little things, and for everyone. Through the hazy sadness, I search for these memories and I'm happy. I'm happy to have known such a wonderful man, and so privileged and happy that he was my dad.

So here's to my dad, I love you.

To all those other dads that were taken too soon, to those dads you're still making memories with and to those dads we miss - you're the best. Appreciate those you love, and make time for the little things.

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Little Five Friday #1

Hello dear readers, I'd like to share with you today my new weekly series Little Five Friday. I've seen variations of this post on lots of blogs, Josie's and Samantha's being two examples. I thought I'd join in with my own little things post, with a header made from a beautiful photograph my dad took. I hope you enjoy my new series, and I'd love to know what you'd like to see more of on my blog.


1. Today is my little sister Indigo's fifth birthday. At 7am we FaceTimed, and
Mark & I got to watch her open her presents!


2. Followed up by a chocolate mocha in my favourite mug and some dark chocolate
digestives, mmm!


3. Freshly painted nails, Mavala Lagoon covered by Topshop Moonshine and some
nail stickers. I picked up the Moonshine polish for 50p, and the stickers for £1 in
in Topshop on Tuesday, bargain!


4. Wearing my sweet and soft new panda slippers and cute socks.


5. Seeing my furry little baby when he's meant to be sleeping!

Have you got a similar series/post? I'd love to see it :) please leave links below.

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15 by 2015: My new goals

So far this year my motto has been let's do it. This is the year of our first abroad holiday together, we're going to Barcelona.
I'm going to sell my artwork in my very own Etsy shop. I want to see the sparkling lights of Blackpool illuminations. I got
two diaries for Christmas and I've been making sure I keep them up to date. This year marks the 5 year anniversary of my
dad passing away. It's easy to relegate memories that might provoke sadness to another day, I want to make more of a
conscious effort to remember both happy and sad memories. Mark & I want to make the big move this year. Our long term
plan was always to relocate back to where I grew up. I want to leave lovely anonymous notes for strangers to find. I want
to get another tattoo. I'd like to learn to drive for the second time (I never took my test). I'm going to take hundreds and
thousands of photographs. We're both searching for new jobs to relocate. I will illustrate things Indigo has said. I need
more snuggles and mischief with my little fluff ball. I'm going to write a letter to myself. I'm going to keep being positive.

Do you have a list of goals or resolutions for the year ahead? Please leave me a link :)

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25 by 25: The results

Hello lovelies, I'd like to start this post off by saying a very happy new year to you all! I hope it turns out to be a fabulous one, and that all of your hopes and dreams come true. Some of you might remember that last year my resolutions were made in the 25 by 25 format as can be found here. To start the year off I thought it'd be nice to reflect on those goals and how I got on, and whether or not there are any I want to carry over into 2014. I will do a separate blog post with my goals for this year :)

o1. Flying a kite was even more fun than I imagined! I can't wait to do it again on a blustery day.

o2. Illustrate things Indigo has said - this is one of the ones I didn't get round to but had plenty of good intentions for. I'd still like to do this, so I'm carrying it on into this year.

o3. Going back to the Lakes was wonderful! I highly recommend you go on an adventure there yourselves!

o4. Watch Perks on DVD - a great watch, not on a level with the book but pretty awesome nonetheless.

o5. See my friends more - I can never get enough of my friends, so I will always want to see them more. One of my beautiful best friends had a beautiful baby in 2013, Belle Hope. I can't wait to see more of all of my friends this year.

o6. Painting more made me feel really inspired. I'm determined to open my very own Etsy shop this year!

o7. Being more organised with studying really helped out when it came to my exam. I revised so hard, and my hard work paid off - I did really well! Back to studying in April, but I'm enjoying the break for now.

o8. Going on more adventures is something I want to do again this year. I loved every day trip and adventure, and have so many happy memories from this year - the Lakes, Harry Potter Studios, Welsh Mountain Zoo and more!

o9. Take more photos & have them printed - I ordered over 1000 photos this year, and made a good start into archiving some of my photos. I have another 500 credits to order this month, and will carry on until they're all printed out.

1o. Reading one book a month and many times more was something I really enjoyed. It was nice to pick up books again and not feel guilty for getting lost in another world for a few hours. This will definitely continue! Can you recommend any?

11. Baking cookies with the children at Lynn's house was messy but fun! We baked choc chip cookies, gingerbread shapes and even a Victoria sponge. Yum!

12. Going to the Welsh Mountain Zoo with bears was one of the best days of my life! I will do a full post on it soon because I never got round to it, but here is a sneaky peek..!

13. Date nights - we've definitely made more of a conscious effort to spend time together this last year. Lots of adventures and plenty of nights snuggled up after a takeaway watching a movie! Speaking of which..! Tonight involves visiting nana, an Indian takeaway and a Wes Anderson movie. Ahh, perfect!

14. Do something for charity - I did a couple of things but I'd like to do more. I tried to do a print in aid of charity, and I think this will be more successful when my Etsy page is up and running. I'd also love to do a skydive but not sure how I'd stand with my dodgy ears!

15. Visiting the Harry Potter studio tour was amazing!!!

16. Anonymous notes in random places - the second goal I didn't get round to, but would still love to do. I had an idea on this front, which I hope to put in place this year.

17. Keeping up my blog was hard at points this year, and I took little breaks here and there when I had too much on (like my exam!). I'd like to post more regularly this year, and start another new series or two like my Handmade Mondays of last year. I will continue HMM but more sporadically rather than every Monday. I love the blogging community and all of the lovely people whose blogs I read!

18. Getting a second tattoo is the third goal I didn't do! I do however know what my next one is going to be, so I'll be getting it soon hopefully.

19. Have a teddybear picnic - the fourth & last goal that I didn't complete. We did however put all of the bears in the back of the car one day and drove to Asda. We may have got some funny looks haha.

2o. Explore more - lots of exploring took place last year, and I look forward to much more both locally and far away.

21. Sitting in the park & watching the sunset was lovely! Mark and my mum, sister Willow, twins Phoebe & Phoenix and littlest sister Indigo went to the park to watch it.

22. Watching sunrise (& chasing the supermoon!) was a 4am adventure with my sister Willow.

23. Seeing more bands was awesome last year! We saw more than we expected to and a wider variety of music too.

24. Doing my hair more still proved tricky for me! I managed to do a few new things with it but last Tuesday I actually went and had it done..! More on that another day though!

25. Appreciating each person, moment & thing was definitely something I did in 2013 and will continue to do each and every year in the future. I try not to take anyone or anything for granted as every moment is fleeting and we have to make the most of it all.

Have you got a similar kind of list? I'd love to see it :)

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My 25th birthday gifts

Hello lovely and loyal readers, thank you for coming back after I disappeared on you again! I've come back with a post of my wonderful and very thoughtful birthday gifts. I've been ill again in the last week, with some kind of Wintery bug where all I wanted to do was sleep to avoid feeling so bad. I'm much better now, but I do have to go for an ultrasound scan of my kidneys and bladder in January. The hospital actually wanted me to go in on Christmas eve for my colonoscopy, because my doctor said it was urgent, but I soon told them that wasn't possible! I'm home at my mum's now for Christmas (except a little trip to meet Mark in Liverpool on Saturday, because erm, I miss him already!). It's lovely to be able to see family & friends, and have cuddles with baby Belle.

♥ Happy birthday to my nephew McKenzie! ♥


I received so many lovely birthday cards that I had to share them! I'd like to thank anyone who send me a card, present, or birthday wishes :) it's much appreciated, I loved every single one!


My main gift from my mum was this beautiful Cosmic La Sardina Lomography camera and some films - I can't wait to try it out! I love the night sky so the pattern on this camera is perfect. Mark's gifts came in this artsy paintbrush covered bag which I am totally in love with! He was really thoughtful with his labels this year and wrote down postcodes of places we've been together - such as W1D 2DH, which was The Astoria in London (now closed) where we met for the very first time at Neverender in 2008 (even though we never spoke then!). I also received Gemma Correll's What I Wore Today book, a Paperchase voucher, bubble bath, a Luella lookbook, an Orla Kiely folder and lots of chocolate!


I got the cute Harrods bear pen & teddy bear from Mark's mum and dad (how sweet!) and the floral 'capture the moment' mug from my mumma (fitting with the camera don't you think!). Family friends Lynn and family got me the gorgeous silver bear trinket box, it's so special! I don't know what to put in there yet but I love just looking at it. I also received the beautiful silver and swarovski crystal feather brooch from my family, and the gorgeous bear necklace I wanted in this Handmade Mondays post from Mark.


I received these two absolutely beautiful prints (that I did choose myself, oops!) and a mini print in a necklace. I will share more about the artist here with you after Christmas in a Handmade Monday :) Mark also got me these super sweet Oysho pjs and socks - bears and embroidered clouds and raindrops!!! What more could a girl want..!



I was extremely, ridiculously, amazingly spoilt! My wonderful boyfriend got me this gorgeous, buttery soft leather Luella bag and I couldn't feel any luckier than I already do. It is my third Luella bag now, I got a pink Gisele from my mum for my 21st birthday, and Mark got me the tan Sandhurst luggage bag the Christmas before last. It's safe to say I'm in love! Considering Luella ceased trading a good while ago now, I've been lucky and managed to get bags in perfect, new/as new, condition. I love all of my presents so much and couldn't have chosen better myself :)

Have you got a favourite brand/label that you can't get enough of?

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Oh hello, I've missed you!

Hello dear readers, I took a little impromptu blogging break, but I've missed you all and I'm so glad to be back. There were a few things happening in the last week or so that just meant my attention wasn't focused on my blog and I didn't find any time to post (even though I had planned to!). Sometimes these things happen as I'm sure you all know, and I can't wait to catch up on everything all of my favourite bloggers have been up to (yep, that's you!).

On Sunday (1st December) it was my 25th birthday. I had such a wonderful day with Mark at the Harry Potter studio tour and I can't wait to show you some of my photos and tell you about it. Happy advent everyone!

I also met my best friend Leah's new baby, Belle Hope, for the very first time on Monday. Both mum and baby are so beautiful and I can't believe how well my best friend looks - you wouldn't believe she had a baby just over two weeks ago!! Belle was born on the 20th November at 7.46pm, I'm so proud of my bestie.

Health update
I'd like to take this opportunity to write a little update about my health lately, as I haven't done for ages and this is my little spot for keeping track of things as well as sharing them. I understand not everyone wants to read about this stuff so if not then skip to the end, I promise I won't mind!

I had my last ever appointment with my ear consultant (hopefully!) in October. I was discharged - hurray! At first I felt a bit disappointed with being discharged and not really knowing what happened to me. But I realised since that my consultant's diagnosis is all that can be said, that my tinnitus, balance problems and vertigo are side effects of my bout of labrynthitis in December 2011. For over a year now I haven't had a vertigo attack (touch wood), only slight dizzy episodes. My physio said that the best thing I can do is to live my life as I would, and if I need him he's only a phone call away. My hearing had stabilised in my last few hearing tests and definitely seems a lot better now. I still have constant tinnitus in my right ear, but it's something I've learned to live with. On a slightly less positive note, I've got to have another colonoscopy. I had one a year ago and to be honest the worst part was the preparation you have to go through beforehand and the way it makes you feel afterwards. I'm not booking that until well after the new year though so I'm choosing not to think about it for now! I've also got four spinal rehabilitation classes in January.

How have you all been? Are you feeling festive?! I'm loving all of the Christmas lights I've seen so far and had my first Christmas drink in Costa the other day, a chocolate orange mocha latte, delicious!

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What is Autumn to me?

Autumn is... golden orange leaves all around, kicking them, throwing them, fighting with them, crunching through them, beautiful trees, collecting shiny brown conkers, misty mornings, your breath in front of your face, crisp sunny days with a chill in the air, wrapping up for the cold, snuggly scarves, mittens on a string, knitted hats, comfy boots, thick socks, extra layers, thick tights, cable knit jumpers, thermal tops, wearing slippers, evenings getting darker, hurrying home from work by streetlight, hot chocolate, feeling snug as a bug in a rug with the fire on, sitting in front of the fire, extra cuddles, saturday night tv, reading curled up on the sofa with heaps of blankets and cushions, halloween, dressing up, trick or treating with younger siblings/children, bonfire night, sparklers, pretty explosions in the sky, eating hotdogs, treacle toffee, an extra hour when the clocks go back...

♥

Hello lovelies, Lauren of The Emerald Dove tagged me in a lovely Autumn tag, answers to the questions are below, and if you click through to Lauren's blog you can see her answers too. I'm excited to answer the questions, as Autumn is my favourite season for all the reasons listed above!
For Autumn, what is your...
1. Favourite thing about it?
Absolutely everything, see above!
2. Favourite drink?
Hot chocolate without cream, I may or may not have started drinking hot chocolate in Summer...
3. Favourite scent/candle?
The smell of the leaves after the rain
4. Best lipstick?
I'll be sticking with my trusty Korres lip butter in Jasmine
5. Go to moisturiser?
Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion+ by Clinique
6. Go to colours for the eyes?
Gold and bronze (Clinique Beach Plum palette and Jemma Kidd City Chic palette)
7. Favourite music or band/singer to listen to?
Bon Iver every time, both times I've seen Bon Iver have been in the Autumn
8. Favourite outfit to wear (i.e. boots & a scarf combo)?
Skinny jeans, long sleeved layers, thick cosy jumper, boots, knitted scarf and big oversized coat
9. Autumn treat? (i.e. a new scarf or bag you have your eye on)
I'm looking to incorporate dark green into my Autumn wardrobe, and searching for a new pair of perfect skinny jeans in a dark colour!

I hope you've enjoyed this post, and I tag anyone who wants to take part! Please let me know if you do :)

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!
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Questions & Answers x3

Recently, I was tagged by both Chloe and Jemimah for the Liebster Award. The rules seem to change but it's an award that gives recognition to bloggers with not so many followers. It's a great way to find out more about your favourite bloggers, and to discover new blogs.

Chloe's questions:
Favourite holiday memory?
I have so many, but I'm going to pick one that reflects how I feel lately and that is nostalgic. One of my
favourite holiday memories, my whole family was on holiday on the English coast and my dad woke
me up super early to go down to the beach. He wanted to take photos of the sunrise, click here to see one.
Have you lived in another country?
No - and I wouldn't want to leave my family/friends behind!
Dive to the deepest parts of the sea or explore space?
Space exploration please :)
Show me your favourite cup/mug
Click here to see it on my Instagram.
Mac or PC?
Laptop
Books or a film?
Books, followed by the film so I can complain how unlike the book it is haha.
What's your regional dish?
I come from Leicestershire and after a quick Google, apparently our regional dish is curry. However,
living on the Wirral I'd say the regional dish here must be scouse!
Flats or heels?
It used to be heels but I'm a flats girl all the way now, I choose comfort and being steady (my balance
issues don't really allow for heels unless I want to sit down)
Favourite smell?
Is it really bad to say the smell of food I like cooking? haha, but if you mean perfumes, then Naughty
Alice by Vivienne Westwood is a firm favourite.
Favourite tradition?
Visiting Bradgate Park every New Years Day with my family. Last year's photos here and here.
Online shopping or being out and about?
Both!!

Jemimah's questions:
You're allowed one item of make-up. What do you choose?
Tinted moisturiser, a bit of moisture and a bit of coverage
What is your earliest fashion memory?
I'm having a mental block, but one thing that comes to mind is a pair of absolutely shocking (-ly horrendous)
hot pink parachute pants, you know with the strips hanging off... shoot me now?! What can I say, I was 'alternative'
If you could travel to any place in the world, where would you go? Why?
New York, because there wasn't enough time for all the exploring needed on my first trip! Take me back :)
When did you first experiment with make-up?
When I was younger, me and my friends used to go to a disco on Friday nights at a place called "Matt's place",
I used to stick shiny stars in the corner of my eyes haha
What TV show could you watch, rewatch, then watch again?
Gossip Girl!
What inspired you to start blogging?
I wanted to somewhere to keep a kind of diary, as I'm useless at keeping actual diaries
Who has influenced your personal style the most?
I don't think there is any one person, just a combination of everyone who's worn something I've loved
What would you like to do more of on your blog?
More arty posts - I've been slacking
What is your dream job?
Something arty that I could do mostly from home
If you could, what colour would you dye your hair? Would you?

I did!!! I tried to login to my old Myspace account so I could get a photo of my turquoise hair,
and terribly pink hair, but alas it wasn't to be haha. The turquoise hair cost my dad £70 at the
hairdressers, the rest I did myself, I even cut my own hair sometimes (pretty badly!).
Are you a cat person, or a dog person?
Both!

Lauren's questions:
What is your favourite book?
I'm going to choose two, Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and Lazy Ways To
Make A Living by Abigail Bosanko. I recommend both, the second is my perfect escapist read.
What is your favourite film?
At the moment, Fantastic Mr Fox! Makes me laugh every time..!
When you were a child what job did you want to have when you grew up?
I honestly don't think I knew, and I still really don't!
What is your favourite item of clothing?
My Luella leather jacket, or my two favourite dresses.
What are your favourite clothing brands?
Luella (sadly no more, but watch this space as Luella Bartley is to be design director at Marc
by Marc Jacobs!), All Saints, tba, Maison Scotch, Cos and Oysho to name a few.
If you had £500, what would you spend it on?
I'd buy gifts!!! I love buying presents for people, especially when money isn't so limited as
it means I can buy the things I know they'd like best.
What is your favourite quote?
I don't have just one favourite, check out my Pinterest board for some that I really like though.
What is your favourite song?
I recorded it live last year...

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
All I hope is to be healthy, happy and the same for the people I love!
How did your blog name come about?
I took my tea with three sugars :)
Which country, other than your own, is your favourite?
I haven't explored enough to be able to say (yet!)

Now, I would like to tag anyone that wants to take part, and I would like you to tell us 11 completely random and unknown facts about yourself. Please let me know if you take part, and I'll come have a nosey :) please go check out the lovely ladies who tagged me in the Liebster award (thanks ladies!), and the other blogs they tagged too.