The last time I went to Beamish was probably a good sixteen years ago for a school trip or some family day out to learn new things. Since then there has been so many new additions to the open air museum. The staff who work there are full of information of what life was like in the North East of England during the 1820s, 1900s and 1940s. You can spend the day walking round all the different attractions including a farm, school and a little town centre where you can even buy old fashioned sweets. It even has a Barclays Bank and a photography studio shop (the inner art student in me was super excited about this) where you can have a picture taken to remember the day. There are so many places to interact with whilst you are there and if you can’t see it all in one day you don’t have to worry. Their new ticket pricing means that you can attend Beamish museum as many times as you like for a full year which I think is excellent for families with young children or if you are like me and find things like this quite exciting. The museum has recently won a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund in order to reconstruct a 1950s Town packed with a cinema and a Great North Road coaching inn where you can stay overnight, exciting!
I thoroughly enjoyed spending the day there with my family, it was so chilled and we could just see whatever we wanted. Have you ever been to Beamish before?
♥
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It’s my birthday! I know I’ve probably said this every year but I can’t believe how fast this year as gone. I don’t feel like I am a year older and to be honest it just feels like another day. It feels extremely strange because usually I’m the one counting down the days to celebrate my birthday shenanigans but this year is different. I’ve learnt a lot of lessons over the past year that I wanted to write down so when I am feeling low or need a motivational word or two then I can refer back to this post.
The first one isn’t really a lesson, it’s more of a process that I think everyone who has had a difficult breakup or isn’t too sure where their life is heading should be on. Stop comparing yourself with others! Every single person on the internet compares themselves to other people and although it is super difficult not to do that, it is equally important to try. You could be flicking down someone’s Instagram feed and think how amazing their life is on the surface but behind that publish button could be a person who might be dealing with some really tough things whether that be a breakup, mental health, family issues etc. And we are all guilty of doing that. There has been plenty of times where I have hit post on an Instagram photo of my smiley, happy self when really I have had a tough day and I was going to bed crying with a tub of Ben and Jerry’s. We only decide to share the best parts of our life online and it ends up being a bit of a highlight reel. Similarly to vloggers on YouTube, you don’t see every single minute of what they do. They only edit the parts that they want you to see for entertainment or to make the viewer smile or laugh. I think what I am trying to say is to just focus on achieving your own goals rather than overthinking about the pedestal that society tries to put you on at certain ages.
There are certain situations in life that gives you a chance to meet new people. I used to be the type of person who could trust just about anyone until they give me a reason not too which is one personality trait that I used to love about myself. However this year I’ve realised that you don’t really know who anyone is unless you’ve known that person for an extremely long time. I’ve dealt with some pretty tough friendships over the past year which has led me to question who my ‘real’ friends are and who I should put my trust into many times.
Exercising isn’t as bad as I thought it was. I’ve never really been the one to go to a gym. I’ve tried to lose weight in the past and it just hasn’t worked. Earlier this year, my friend asked me to go along to a Boogie Bounce class and I honestly didn’t know what I was going to be letting myself in for but I surprisingly enjoyed it. I’m not really doing it for the physical health benefits, although they are good, I’m doing it more for my brain. It has been so good mentally! For those who are unsure what it is, you basically jump on a trampoline for an hour to songs that are really motivating. It’s like doing an insanity workout because you can burn up to 800 calories in one session.
It’s okay to feel like a little bit of a geek. Since starting my degree I have fell in love with anything to do with art, fashion or photography. I’ve really enjoyed going to the Baltic on a day I’ve had spare to just look round or putting my phone down and having a read of a factual book. When I was younger these things that I was interested in were classed as ‘geeky’ but it has only really been this past year when I’ve learnt that it isn’t. It’s called having an interest in something. People are allowed to have different interests and hobbies because that’s what makes them the person they are today.
A couple of days after my birthday last year I broke up from my ex. Since then I’ve dated other people and also gone back to him time and time again. I’ve been single since March this year and in all honesty I was so scared but I am doing okay. It’s okay to not be in a relationship with someone all the time. Use that breakup to concentrate on yourself for a while. I wish I took that advice last year instead of jumping into two different relationships that were short and unfulfilling. At the moment I’m not really interested in being with anyone else because I know in my heart that I am not ready to be deeply in love with someone else yet but the main thing is that I am completely cool with that. I’m not going to say that it isn’t difficult being the only single person in my group of friends but someone will walk into my life that will treat me how I want to be treated. I just need to give it time.
My most important lesson I’ve learnt is you do you! This was once said by a friend at University and it has stuck with me ever since. You shouldn’t care about what others think of you. If you enjoy something whether that be writing a blog, posting on YouTube or anything else that is unique and slightly unusual then you go and make the most of it because life is far too short to be worrying about what other people are saying about you.
I’m off to enjoy a slice of birthday cake whilst getting ready for the day. I’ve not really got any plans for the rest of the day because I went to Beamish with my family at the weekend. Have you got any lessons that you’ve learnt this past year?
♥
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Hey guys! It’s certainly been a long time hasn’t it?! I’ve probably just opened WordPress for the first time since February and I feel like I need to update you on so much stuff. Everything feels different and I don’t really know where to begin. I think this is just going to be one of those posts where I just ramble on and there isn’t really going to be much context to it all so if you like that sort of thing that feel free to keep reading. If not, then I’m sorry…
I wanted to include the photo above because I feel as though this Joanie tee is very me. It’s just so arty and creative. PS – Sorry about the messy hair but I live in Northern England which means it is windy, cold and miserable 85% of the time.
I really wanted to blog whilst being a student studying my degree however this year I’ve found juggling both extremely difficult hence why there hasn’t been many posts over on my little corner of the internet. At the end of February, I was diagnosed with depression and if any of you have had it before or dealt with any kind of mental health issue whilst at University then you will probably understand the difficulties that comes with that. For the past couple of months, I have struggled to just keep my head above water. I would reward myself with a little treat if I was able to get myself dressed and manage a full day of being out the house in a week because it meant that I achieved something. I’m receiving help for it at the moment through medication and talking to various people and things are getting better but it’s not fully okay yet. Let’s just say that things are looking a lot more positive and I am super grateful to have the friends that I do have around me. With this being said, I am on the last leg of my first year. By the end of May I would have finished my first year of my Foundation Degree with the hope of getting onto my second (there has been some issues with my tuition fee). I’ve been achieving Distinctions which I just find a miracle in itself but at the same time I am so proud of what I have achieved. The course has been so interesting and I have learnt so many new techniques. I am currently in the process of adding a Portfolio page to my blog so if any of you are interested in what I’ve been getting up to on the course then you will eventually be able to pop along to that.
At the moment I am sitting in the living room rewatching Love Island 2018 waiting for my gym stuff to dry. I’ve found myself an exercise class that I really enjoy going to recently. It’s called Boogie Bounce and they have sessions all over the country. You basically spend 45 minutes jumping on a mini trampoline to some uplifting and motivating songs whilst burning from 500 calories. Last week, I had one of those late night ordering sessions when I woke up in the middle of the night. So tired Yasmina ordered: a portable photo studio box, a Missguided x Playboy tracksuit and about 20 Stranger Things stickers. No judgement is needed, thank you.
Since my last post I’ve not really done much apart from go to London with my course which I very much enjoyed. Harrods is absolutely beautiful and I treated myself to the most gorgeous, illustrative phone case and a teddy bear which I definitely didn’t need. I’ve also met up with Mark whilst in Manchester. We went to the Junkyard Golf Club which has the most amazing retro style cocktails and three really fun crazy golf courses. We played the Bozo course which was full of dark fairgrounds, circus freaks and twisted clowns. Guess who won? I suppose it was beginners luck! *insert sassy girl emoji*
I’ve got a couple of blog posts in my drafts that have been there for months which I’m going to just slowly write up and publish in due course but I would love it so much if you could let me know what you would love to see over on the old blog. Is there anything that you enjoy reading the most? My favourites are posts like these where you can just read someone’s thoughts at the time of writing. I really want to bring back beauty reviews and my fashion posts especially with the warmer weather finally making an appearance. Anyway, I’m going to get back to watching Love Island and have a bit of a catch up on some of my favourite blogs. If you do want to keep up-to-date with my rather boring but sometimes interesting life until the end of May then you are probably best catching me over on Instagram. I post over there quite often nowadays.
How’s everyone been doing? Have you got any Summer plans? I can’t wait to get back into writing on my little space properly again soon. I’ve also got something exciting planned as a little Summer project that is also one of my goals for the year.
♥
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It’s currently 3.22am as I am writing this and I am sat wide awake wondering what to do with myself. I’ve spent the first half of January working hard at University work and remembered I was going to sit and talk about it a little bit on here.
Since leaving school ten years ago this year, I have attempted A Levels, BTECs and started two degrees which I thought were my thing but really weren’t. I have had three years dealing with anxiety before deciding to go back to education as a 25yr old. I am the oldest in my class now but I tell you something, Newcastle College has been life changing for me. I was a nervous wreck on that first day back in September walking into the unknown but I have not looked back since. Even through the stressful times, it is still enjoyable.
For those of you who don’t know, I am studying Fashion & Retail Enterprise as a Foundation Degree. It has given me the opportunity to go to exhibitions that I love and make friends that are completely amazing not only in college but outside of college too. It has gave me something to look forward to instead of being afraid for my future as well as some sort of routine in my life. I made the conscious decision to study a part time Level 2 Photography course too which has been thoroughly enjoyable. I can’t actually believe that I have got a qualification in something that I’ve taught myself the basics in since I was 15 at the same time as getting half way through my degree as well.
The past couple of months I have grown confident using Adobe software, learnt how to create a range plan, look at trends and created a collaboration proposal with Urban Outfitters and Sighh. I’m currently in the process of coming up with my own trend for the next module which is super exciting. Don’t get me wrong, I am still slightly nervous about my future career but I am more excited to see where it is going to lead and who knows I might go all business entrepreneur and start my own fashion line, something I would love to do at some point. Anyway, enough of the boring bits…
Next week I’m off to see The 1975 with one of my best friends and I can’t wait! I’ve waited over two years to see them again so I can’t wait to sing along to all there songs again. Has anyone else listened to their new album? It’s been on repeat since release date for me.
On another note can you believe that January is nearly over? February is looking pretty busy for me already which I am looking forward to. I’ve got London Fashion Week Festival and plenty of plans with Alice, Beca and Polly as well. I am on my own for Valentine’s this year which I am surprisingly okay with. I’ve planned myself a little pamper night in with my bullet journal and one of the new bath bombs from Lush. It’s the Peachy bath bomb which smells amazing and is so up lifting! Speaking of Lush, did anyone else see the naked movement to celebrate the zero waste products at the Manchester store. Unfortunately I wasn’t there at the time but I caught it on social media and it’s so powerful.
I finished Catherine Gray’s The Unexpected Joy of Being Single the other day amongst busy deadlines. It was such a good book! I’m the type of person who can fall in love super quickly and I want everything with someone very quickly into a relationship. I don’t think it is a bad thing but I also think that it can be very unhealthy to act like that. Did you know that most young people don’t find the one they want to settle down with until their late 20s? That immediately made me feel better! I think as a society we are forced to follow the ‘plan’, you know the one where you have to find love early and buy a house, get engaged and then have children but guys it is the 21st century. It is okay to be on your own but it is also okay to have a date planned with someone different every week if you fancy and you are into that. People these days can be so judgemental but the only person who is going to know how you feel about a situation is yourself and you should listen to you. You do you!
I should probably try and get some sleep now either that or I will probably sit and do my bullet journal pages. I’ve found it so helpful to keep track of everything at the moment. I sit down for a couple of hours with no distractions to keep up to date with it. It’s super relaxing and calming.
Have you been up too much lately? What’s one good thing that has happened this month?
♥
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For those of you who don’t know, I had my tonsils removed last week so I have not really been feeling the festive spirit lately. However, the one thing that I have enjoyed and something that has gave me a bit of comfort is the vast array of Netflix films. It’s like they have been my Prince Charming! As well as Netflix, I’ve had plenty of time to catch up on some of my favourite YouTubers and even started reading a good book when I have had the energy to do so. Anyway, on to my list…
The Holiday Calendar | It’s about a photographer who receives an Advent Calendar that she thinks predicts the future and points her towards finding love. It’s such a cheesy and down to earth film which I fell in love with. It had me gripped from the beginning to end. If you have watched Just My Luck then I believe you would love this one just as much.
The Princess Switch | Similar to The Parent Trap, it’s about a down-to-earth Chicago baker that travels for a contest in a different country with her friend Kevin and his daughter. As she goes to clean up, she bumps into the Princess who is due to get married and looks exactly the same as each other. With the Princess wanting to understand what it’s like to be normal, they decide to switch places and they both fall in love. It’s definitely a chick flick but similar kind of feel to The Holiday Calendar, I fell in love with it.
A Christmas Prince | You may have watched this last year but if you haven’t watched it already then I think you should. A young journalist is sent to get the scoop on a dashing Prince who is due to be king. It’s got a lot of drama in and a happy ending. Apparently the second one will be coming out soon on Netflix so… (Update: I’ve watched the second one and it is just as good if not better!)
The Christmas Chronicles | I was quite unsure of this when I saw the adverts but I proceeded to watch on Friday afternoon and it wasn’t too bad. It’s about a brother and sister who ends up on Santa’s sleigh and helps deliver the presents on Christmas Eve. There are so many events that happen during the film and it was a really good watch.
Outnumbered Christmas Specials | Okay, so Outnumbered isn’t necessarily a Netflix Original but its hilarious and that’s why I am including it. Whenever I am feeling down and in need of cheering up I throw on Outnumbered. They are a classic and the episodes are dead short so you can easily binge watch the series if you want. They have three Christmas episodes all on Netflix as well as all five seasons so you can laugh along at the sitcom for the whole of December.
Have you got any Christmas Netflix recommendations? Let me know in the comments.
♥
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It’s finally half-term! I’m spending this week catching up on blog posts so you might be seeing me a little bit more than usual. It’s currently flu season and between you and me, I’ve had a fair few of them so I thought I would share with you my top tips on combatting the Winter season where you are most likely hugging a tissue for half the day.
There’s two things that I rely on when it comes to day-to-day Winter lifestyle changes. The first is getting the most energy so you can actually be productive on those dark mornings that are slowly creeping up on us and the second is getting a peaceful night sleep. The second I think is the most important but let’s talk about what we can do to find that energy.
First, let me introduce you to one of my best and long time friends – Berocca. You can pick him up in just about any supermarket or drugstore/chemist in the UK. Berocca is a formula containing vitamin B and other essential nutrients that are proven to help support energy release and mental performance. It comes in 4 different flavours: Orange (my personal fave), Mixed Berry, Tropical and Mango. You simply pop the soluble tablet in water and drink. I was first introduced to them via a chemist in Sainsbury’s when I was struggling to stay awake during lessons when I first went to University and have relied on them ever since. I have to be honest with you that they don’t taste amazing but they work and that’s the main thing! I feel like I am more awake and can combat pretty much anything until lunchtime when I’ve had one. They have even introduced a tablet to swallow if you prefer that over a drink.
Another suggestion is to have a really good but healthy breakfast. Something like porridge or Weetabix with fruit which slowly releases energy into the body rather than having chocolate which is good for a fast fix but you will find yourself crashing by 8.30am. I usually take a snack with me to like a banana or cereal bar just in case. Another idea is to down a glass of cold water as soon as you wake up. Drinking water is good for you anyway but did you know that it also fires up your metabolism, hydrates you and helps the body flush out any toxins as well as gives your brain fuel to get up and do things.
I would have a semi-cold shower to wake me up. I associate hot showers or baths with my evening routine which I’ve talked about previously but having something which isn’t quite hot always wakes me up and prepares me for the day. I usually crack on a really good Spotify playlist which I can sing along to in the shower to help me get moving too.
As well as a good breakfast, my Berocca shot and a shower; I have to have a good sleep the night before and that’s where my next best friend comes in. Let me introduce you to Utmost Me’s SLEEP Neuro Rest*. I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to work with them recently and I have recently put in an order for another bottle. It’s a capsule that you take at night which has natural supplements in created by doctors and nutritionists. For a long time, I’ve struggled with sleep due to overthinking and anxiety but these have changed my sleeping pattern for the better. The capsules are designed to regulate sleep cycles and signals the body that it’s time to sleep. Like a prescribed sleeping tablet which I have used in the past, I take mine just before I settle down to sleep and when I’ve decided to turn off technology. If I don’t get a good night sleep then it’s highly likely that I am not going to be able to concentrate or motivate myself to do much but if my sleep experience is peaceful without waking up in the middle of the night then I’m going to have a good day. Ever since starting Neuro Rest, I’ve not woken up in the middle of the night once which is a miracle for me. It’s also helped me to establish an evening routine most nights which usually involves a bubble bath, staying off social media and a good old hot chocolate.
Have you tried Neuro Rest before? How do you combat these dreaded Winter mornings? Let me know in the comments if there is anything else I can try.
♥
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It’s finally half-term! I’m spending this week catching up on blog posts so you might be seeing me a little bit more than usual. It’s currently flu season and between you and me, I’ve had a fair few of them so I thought I would share with you my top tips on combatting the Winter season where you are most likely hugging a tissue for half the day.
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