2016

I am not going to use this post to write about all the horrible things that have happened this year. Instead I shall keep it short and sweet and just sum up some lovely things that have happened this year.

• Signing up to Netflix has actually been a highlight of 2016. I have been able to feel cosy and safe tucked up in bed and forget about all the sadness. I've managed to catch up completely with Pretty Little Liars which I've loved!! 
• I remember having a lovely meal with prosecco in Prezzo with two of my closest friends just randomly one day in April. We discovered the snapchat filters and laughed and laughed.
• A windy beach walk with my family 
• Having a night out on a bank holiday Sunday - a nice break amongst a school term. 
• Having drinks to celebrate my Dad achieving something he should be very proud of 
• Having a laugh in work and admiring a certain footballer who made a visit 
• Random trip to Caerphilly Castle  (Lush!)
• My Little box surprising me for a couple of months
• Lovely country pub lunch, a nice walk and a relaxing bath all in one day in May
• Cookie dough mmmm 
• Watching Wales in the Euros with beer and nice food
• Starbucks in the sun 
• Bought my first ever Mac lipstick
• Watching the musical The Sound of Music
• A beautiful bonfire
• Discovering I like poached eggs
• Bridget Jones in the cinema- so funny!
• Great live music from a local band
• Great live music from Bastille
• Reading inspiring books 

October Catch Up

And so we have reached the end of October...

Work has been tiring and hard. I'm still adjusting to change and still struggling with where I am. I don't know if I am deliberately being negative or if I am right and reacting to a position that does not bring out the best in me.That said...

Life has been good. I cannot complain about life itself. I have had good times with family and friends; moments of pure joy. I have enjoyed laughing in the cinema, coffee with like-minded people, reading a new book, shopping with my mam, experiencing fantastic live music, drinking sparkling wine and eating lovely food.

Yet, I still get those waves of sadness and melancholy and my eyes automatically fill with tears when I notice the hardness of life...the weight of living. I feel guilty saying that when so many are truly suffering but I just feel that sometimes I am a little weaker than most- too fragile.

Anyway!
Happy post to follow

Summertime Sadness

Here again...

Moaning?
Being Negative?
Ungrateful?
Sad and struggling?


I don't want to write those things. I'm fed up of myself and my bleak thoughts manifesting in writing.
I want to be light and positive and thrilled to be here. I'm aware of how wonderful life is and how lucky I am to have a chance to live it, especially being so blessed. I am thankful for that... really I am!

So i just want you to know although I feel weak in this life I also see the beauty it offers. I see it, I do. One day I will make myself better.

2015

Remember my anxieties for 2015...( hello January )
Well it turned out pretty good!

I feel so thankful that I made it through things that I was completely scared about and felt incapable to do. I'm thankful that other people see something in me, that sometimes, I don't see myself and I'm thankful that the universe takes me places that I wouldn't normally volunteer to go. Of course anxiety has accompanied me through every step of 2015 but I still did things that quite frankly I'm proud of.

So here's my little recap of 2015:

January

-I started working full time (1/2 student, 1/2 real work)
-A friend's engagement party 
-Coffee with friends 
-Lunches in town with mam

February 

-Had a nice meal at Prezzo with friends on Valentine's day
-Made some Nutella and strawberry filled pancakes 
-Coffee with colleagues
-Eastenders LIVE





March

-Celebrated a friend's birthday with an indian 
-Got offered a job :)
-A cold and windy walk on the beach 
-Bought myself a new laptop

April

-Easter dinner and games 
-Sunny day in Cardiff
-We had baby chicks in work 
-Ben Howard in concert

 May

-Gerard's last game for Liverpool
-Eurovision, nibbles and Desperado (Sweden won!)
-Went to see Pitch Perfect 2 in cinema

June  

-Bought James Bay's Chaos and the Calm
-Started watching the series Humans
- A walk around Craig-y-nos


July

-Celebrated my birthday with a day trip to Gloucester
-Red arrows
-Fruit coolers in Costa


August

-Beach walk
-Went to see Jurassic World in the cinema
-Day out with friends in Tenby

September 

-Family wedding 
- Unemployment and feelings of guilt
-Went to see Dreamboats and Miniskirts
-Lunar eclipse


October

- Went to see Blood Brothers 
- Back in work  
-Went to a friend's Hen do

November

-  A friend's wedding
- Afternoon tea with friends
- Food in Mamma Mia's

December 

-Christmas do
-Scary interview but I got the job!
-Bought myself an iphone6 
- Night out with friends
- A lovely Christmas with family  

Have yourself a merry little Christmas...

It's been a while!

Since last time, I was offered a temporary job-accepted it- felt incredibly anxious and realised maybe this job wasn't for me- plucked up the courage to phone back two days later and turn down the job- was told that they wanted me for the job and wasn't going to take no for an answer- accepted the job again- started the job- realised I was actually okay at this job- applied for a permanent job in the same workplace- had a scary interview- and got the job!! PHEW.

I should be happy, yes? I should take it as a sign that I am doing a good job and that I am wanted, yes?

I'm still anxious. I'm still scared. I still feel that I'm going to do something terribly wrong and that I'm not going to be good enough. This sucks.

BUT on the more positive side...Christmas holidays are coming soon and I can spend time with loved ones.  I can listen to my new Nashville Christmas CD I bought today- woop!


Here are some lovely pictures taken from pinterest to cheer us all up:

Pinterest

www.stephsayshello.co.uk

Pinterest

Pinterest

 

 

Tumblr

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pinterest

How special and cosy is that last picture? Such a dream!

Liebster award

Hello everyone!

Today's post is a little question and answer post as I got nominated for a Liebster award by Lidija
If you want to know more about this award, head over to her blog and read this post

Anyway, here are her questions:

1.Why did you start blogging?
I started blogging because I enjoy writing and I wanted a little space where I could write any mumbling thoughts, worries, ideas or interests. I wanted a place I could come to and write about anything and everything. I also hoped I would meet other bloggers who I shared things in common with. 
 
2.Fashion or beauty? Why?
Fashion because it can change your entire day. How you choose to dress says a lot about a person; fashion gives us an identity, a personal style and confidence. 
 
3.Favourite make up brand?
 I usually try different brands but I did buy myself a benefit foundation lately so, for now, I'll say benefit.
 
4,Favourite trend of 2014?
The tartan trend. Here's a blog post I wrote. I love the tartan scarves too. 
 
5,Your expectations for 2015?
I try not to expect too much for the year but wait and see what it brings my way.
 
6. What's your dream job?
I've always dreamed of being wealthy enough to be able to volunteer on various projects working with children in need. Not having to work for money but to work purely to help. 
 
7. Likes and dislikes?

Likes: music, the moon, family days out

Dislikes: tomatoes, airports, Sundays

8. Your favourite quote?
'My religion is simple. My religion is kindness' 
 
9. Who is your inspiration? Why?
Kind and positive people because I want to be more like them and I want the world to be filled with more of them.
 
10. Where would you like to travel and where would you like to live?
I've always wanted to tour America but I'm quite happy living in Wales.
 
11. Your favourite band/singer? 
One Republic

I am supposed to now nominate 11 other bloggers to answer my 11 questions below, however, as I don't know many bloggers yet I nominate whoever happens to read this post. Yes, YOU! 

Here are my questions:

1.What is your favourite blog?                                     7.What is your favourite TV show?
2. What is your favourite quote?                                   8. Do you own any pets?
3. What is your favourite song lyric?                             9. Savoury or sweet?
4. Best piece of advice you've been given?                   10. What is your favourite movie?
5.Do you have a favourite book?                                 11. Tell me one crazy ambition?
6.Which celebrity inspires you? 

Hello January

January always marks an end and a beginning. I read somewhere that January is named after the Roman God Janus who had two faces; one to look into the past and one to look into the future. I feel that this is very appropriate for January as I personally always find it a time of reflection, of the year that has past us by and come to an end, and a time of worry for the year ahead.

I had a good 2014. A very good 2014. I grew and developed and learned new skills. I faced challenges and overcame them. I had fun with family and friends and I stored some great memories. Thank you 2014!

2015  I am a little scared. What's in store? I still feel incapable. I still feel weak. What if I can't handle it? What if something awful is going to happen? WHAT IF, OH NO, I CAN'T, NOT ME, WORRY, FEAR, SADNESS.

The funny thing is I felt this in 2013 looking forwards into 2014 but.... I had a good 2014. A very good 2014. I grew and developed and learned new skills. I faced challenges and overcame them. I had fun with family and friends and I stored some great memories. Thank you 2014! 


So this is my quote of the New Year from Erin Hanson who I only discovered today. She writes with such beautiful spirit; check her out here 

 My wish this year for all of us is that we try not to worry about the what ifs of the year but instead let us have a year full of glorious and happy present moments. Let the year be filled with love, light and peace!

Quote of the week!

Hi- it's summer! I have a lot of time off before I go back to work and instead of finding something 'worthwhile' to do, i.e. getting a summer job, volunteering etc., I am going to truly do something worthwhile.
 I am going to look after me.

I normally worry all over summer. I worry that I am wasting time; that I should be doing something to help my career or I worry that I will have no career and that I am doing nothing to help myself. Well, this summer, I vow to do neither. I am going to try not to worry about me, my career and my life and whether I will be okay or not, and I am going to try to be positive and happy.  

I am going to try to fight this depression that I sometimes find myself immersing in and I am going to do things that make me happy. I hope to drink more water, go for more walks, eat healthier and to enjoy the simple things.

So, here is my quote of the week which serves as a reminder of what I shall try to do each day:

Also, as I was looking for a quote this week, I came across this work of art on Pinterest (don't you just love that site?) and I thought it was a lovely, uplifting piece that I had to share on my blog. The creator Lori Portka has a page on etsy with lots more lovely pieces -Take a look!

 

(Source:  May You Wake up with Gratitude by Lori Portka )

P.s This is my first Weekly Wishes Link up! :)