New Years resolutions

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It's coming up to that time of year again where people begin to evaluate the past year and think about how amazing or rubbish it really was. If it was rubbish for you, then most people turn to making a New Years resolution list, designed to motivate and bring change to your life for the following year. According to Wikipedia, a New Years resolution is a "commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit." 

Over the past couple of days I've been thinking about what changes I would like to make in 2013 to make me feel happier and more positive with my life which I've listed below.

• Spend more time with family and friends
• Be honest and open with the people closest to me about my hopes, dreams and plans for the future
• Stop worrying about everything
• Start thinking about the positive things
• Stop caring/worrying about what other people think or say about me
• Improve social skills
• Eat healthier
• Get a job
• Blog more often
• Keep myself busy
• Study more to achieve better grades

"Be who you want to be, not who others choose to see"

Don't let anybody else effect your goals and aims for 2013. It's your life. Only you can control it. One of the main things that I really need to do in 2013 is to stop trying to make everyone around me happy, but instead focus about my own happiness. That may sound incredibly selfish to you, but you can't make everyone happy. You've got to do what's best for you before you start thinking about other people. It's important to understand that they can look after themselves. This may be hard to accept, but otherwise you'll just end up living in constant conflict with yourself which is not healthy. Your resolutions should reflect you and nobody else. Please remember that.

I know this is quite a different post from me. I've deleted lots from it because it always seems way to personal. And I'm a little anxious to publish this, but I just thought it would be an interesting and hopefully helpful post. Please let me know what you think about it and whether or not you'd like me to do similar 'lifestyle' posts. Also, please feel free to comment on post ideas and topics we could blog about. We'd love to here your opinion on what you want, after all you're the ones who read this blog. Oh, and sorry for rambling so much! Have a lovely day.

DIY

Hey! so today i thought it would be a good idea to go out and do some shopping for jars, as you do, and i found the perfect 3. I got these from Cargo and they were reduced from £3 to £2.80. I have seen this picture on tumblr which simply says 

"Start 2013 off with an empty jar and fill it with notes about good thing that happen. On new years eve, empty it and see what awesome stuff happened that year"

I generally really want to give this a go, keeping this in mind this then gave me the idea to have 2 extra jars, one for 'savings' and one for 'charity money', this will make me happier as i feel i am always doing something productive. Anyway i will begin showing how i developed these cute looking jars.

Step 1: Find/buy a jar. Places you could purchase jars like this are:

Argos

Cargo

Robert Dyas

Amazon

Ikea
A jam jar shop

etc.

Step 2: I then went onto a editing website called: http://www.picmonkey.com/  and uploaded a white picture, you can get these by just putting into Google 'white picture'. I then added text with my favourite font and inserted 'Savings' 'Charity Money' and 'Happy moments and memories'. I then chose a little animal to go with each of them. To get this go to the sidebar and click on the icon with the heart and speech bubble, then scroll, scroll and scroll until you reach 'ordinary beasts' and choose which one. This part is optional, you don't have to add an animal, you can add any image you like, i just thought this would be cute. 

Step 3: I then Googled 'Cath kidston patterns' and picked the

 'cathkidston_provencerose.jpg' 

shown below. 

I printed 3 of these images off along with the pink Provence rose which acts like a border. behind the blue.

Step 4: I then cut these images up which were, The text, blue Provence rose and pink Provence rose.

Step 5: We are nearly done, yay. Now you need to layer all the images.

• Stick the text onto the blue Provence rose
• Stick the blue Provence rose onto the Pink Provence rose (using Prit-stick)
• Use sellotape to stick on the final layered image onto the side of the jar.

and you are DONE!

Extra: I also added a circular image to the top of the jars, this took me quite a while as i took forever trying to get the size right. Basically just print out the image you want to go in the top of the jar and trace a rough circle and keep experimenting with it until it fits. 

Why do this? 

I want to do a savings jar simply because i spend my money way too quick and once i have spent it, it makes me upset that i have no more money. This being the case i am going to start saving.  If i just put £2 in there a week just to keep it going, this will soon add it, it will also make me feel extra good knowing that i still have money saved. I recommend not to put too much in the jar at once or too little, you just want something in between, it's a personal amount to you. I chose the pig as it reminded me of the piggy banks, cute hey?

 This links to the quote i shared with you at the beginning and this honestly is such an amazing idea, trust me. I obviously haven't done it yet but just think about it, writing on a little piece of paper a word, phrase or a little story which will enlighten you when you open it back up on new years eve 2013. It will feel amazing and actually give you a reason to love your life. Yes everyday might be a bit much as something good might not happen but even the tiniest things that make you happy, just write it down and pop it in. This also gives me motivation for the year as my GCSE's are coming up and i would love to right a note saying i have passed them all.

 And last but no means least the charity savings. Doing this is going to make me feel amazing, knowing i am saving some money to help charities is an all round accomplishment. In this jar i am going to save pennies and 5p's, not much but they do add up after a while. Even though i am unsure of what charity i am going to be donating this too, i might vary it and separate it into many different ones as they are all important.

So if you are going to give this a go, just go for it, it's a new year and a new start for everyone, try something different and unique and you will feel better about yourself. Please do try and do the charity savings one as the more people get the idea and raise money the more we can help,
Good luck :-)

Christmas!

Hello! I would firstly like to say a big, big thank you to all of my amazing friends who have given me a present for Christmas. I love you all so much. This post is going to be showing you all the gifts i have received from perfume to a whole stack of chocolate galore.

 This shows a picture of all my gifts i received  i also got loads of chocolate, but as i have already started eating it, i didn't really see the point in showing it here. I want to say a thank you for the wrapping paper, haha, this is what the gifts are sitting on. One of my friends wrapped a selection pack in it and i just couldn't resit tearing it, it is now used as a decoration on my bedside table. Yay. ps. The candle isn't a present, it is just there hehe.

 This gift is gorgeous. Anything Soap&Glory and you have officially won me over. I have never used these products before i am going to be testing them out tonight.

 Close up of the body buff, it's gorgeous.

 I then received some perfume. I love the packaging, i think it's gorgeous and the smell just tops it off.

Say hello to the best nail polish i have received  ever received. It so lovely, this just proves my friends know me too well.

 The colour is 702 Marshmallow Heaven. I am hoping on painting my nails tomorrow, i am really excited hehe.

 NYX. Ugh i love this so much. I have never really purchased any glitter eye shadows, i now wish i had. From looking and testing this i am not definitely going to be purchasing some  a lot more!

 It also comes with brushes as well.

 I decided to take a photo of them on my arm (not the most attractive arm, but hey ho) As they are glitter they literally shine of every little piece of light, no joke, but it came out well. The colours are mainly lilacs and purples but with the exception of the gold and the dark silver it makes it perfect.

Little samples are fab!

 Little lip balms= perfection. Simple yet amazing.

 "Kiss me quick"

What just topped the gifts off was receiving a vintage floral heart, and even better, it was handmade by her mum! It gorgeous.

Oh and it also smells of lavender, here's the opposite side.

Wishlist - Topshop style

Topshop Autumn Wishlist 2012

Oh my god, can i just buy the whole of Topshop? please? I thought i would make a wishlist as they are so fun to do, yet they make you feel extremely poor :-(. I have bundled together 7 items which i wish to purchase, emphasis on the 'wish'.

001- a velvet skirt, i repeat a velvet skirt, oh my, i want. They are so lovely, i mean look at them. I have always been unsure of wearing skirts now, especially skater skirts, i don't know really, its just self consciousness i guess, but instagram has made me explore. I love the dark rich red of this skirt, i think a plain black would drown out my skin as i am so pale, so i would want a colour that gives myself a bit of colour. There is so much i could wear it with as well, i will be making a purchase asap!

002- I love this jumper, not only because of the studs but because of how unique it is. I also love the colour as it is a good grey, which would go with just about everything. Furthermore i like the way the studs are spread out on the jumper, it's so cute

003- I really, really need a new fashionable white shirt. I saw this one and instantly loved it because it's one of those that you can wear with just about anything

004- i'm not normally into dark nail varnish, but this is an exception, i love it. It so gorgeous and gives a winter feel.

005- Ok. i'm in love. I have already got some studded boots, which i adore, but i really want some ankle boots. These are just perfect, a must buy.

006- Socks, oh socks, i wouldn't mind a pair of these in my stocking for Christmas :-)! I love all of these styles of socks, purely because they go with absolutely anything. They are quite expensive but totally worth it.

007- I just can't get enough of sparkly nail varnish. I already have a pink sparkle varnish from topshop, amazing, even though i don't like how long it takes to take it off. It seriously is like super glued to my nail i swear, but it looks fantastic, and really want to try this silver and it feels Chrismassy as well.

Sophie's Topshop Wishlist

Mock week is finally over! I think I've failed most of my exams, but oh well, they're only mocks. And I have no homework over the weekend so I intend on being really lazy, yay! I think Olivia and I are going to be posting an awful lot over the next few days and weeks! We have so many post ideas, but the past couple of weeks have been so stressful and busy. 

I've compiled a few items from Topshop that I have my eyes on at the moment. However, I've told myself that I can't spend any money on myself until after Christmas. I have so many gifts to buy this year but just not enough money so I'm trying to save! We'll see how well this goes...Hopefully someone will see this post and take pity on me by buying me everything? Deal?

001: I'm a huge sucker for aubergine/oxblood clothes at the moment  In fact, I have been obsessed for over a year now! I just really want some simple jumpers I can wear with basically anything. This jumper is also meant to be really slouchy which is a huge bonus!

002: I also really love this jumper. I love the pattern and the contrast between the black and white. I'd love to accessorize with a bright, colourful scarf, like my mustard one I wear way too often.

003: Topshop nail polishes are the best, and this green one is no exception. I've actually been eyeing this up for a while, but even £5 is a splurge for me at the moment. Although it's not typically an autumn/winter colour, I'm sure I can transition it into spring and summer.

004: I love snoods. I don't own any, but I wish I did! The dark colours on this snood just really appeals to me. I know Christmas colours are traditionally red and green, but for some reason, I find this snood very seasonal.

005: Aw, just aw. Isn't this skirt so cute, and girly? I've wanted a little, white skirt for a while now. They're just so pretty and feminine. This skirt would actually look lovely paired with the oxblood jumper!

006: Yeah, I'm so hipster. For some reason, the ugliness of this bag just makes me love it even more tehe!

007: Um...I just really like backpacks I guess. I've wanted this bag for so long now! This would be perfect for shopping trips or days out at the weekend. I reckon it would just go with any outfit!

008: Last, but definitely not least, is this gorgeous sleeveless jacket. I tried it on in the shop, and I fell in love. Although it looked great, and was so warm and snugly, my Mum was a slightly reluctant to spend £55 on it...sad times. However, I still love it!!!

Cath Kidston Scrapbook

Hello :-) , first of all i would like to apologise for the lack of posting, as Sophie has said we are very busy at the moment with school, it's horrible :-(. A lot more posts will be coming soon. Anyway this post is all about a new purchase, only a Cath Kidston scrapbook!!!! I am so happy i have found this, i didn't even know there was such a thing.

Front of scrapbook and the label. 

What i loved  even more were the cute items hidden inside. The last page includes a pocket and included:

3 pages of stickers, all full of Cath Kidston designs, 

Some more stickers but this time space to write in them, 

And last but not least a a piece of paper with different strips of designs which you can cut out in strips, stick them down and use them for borders of pictures, etc. 

The book isn't that thick, i roughly counted about 33 pages, so a fairly good size. 

I am overall really pleased with this purchase!

Sophie's 'About Me Tag'

First of all, I would just like to apologise on behalf of myself and Olivia, for not posting in absolutely ages! Like it or not, school does come first for us, and at the moment the work and tests have been taking up too much of our spare time.

 I decided on doing a little post for you all to get to know me a little better. I found this tag on youtube and have picked a few of the questions that I thought would be most beneficial and suitable.

Do you have a middle name?

Yes, I do. My middle name is Georgia. When I was younger I never really liked it, but as I've become older, I have definitely grown to it. The only problem is, my first name and middle name are incredibly common, which can get very confusing at school!

What is your favourite drink?

My favourite drink is definitely Pink Lucozade. I honestly can't thank Instagram enough for introducing me to this wonderful, wonderful drink. I've never really liked pink lemonade before, but I tried this drink and it was magical! I don't even do enough exercise to deserve the energy you're supposed to get from this drink, but I honestly don't care. I'm very weird in the sense that I hate warm drinks like tea, coffee and hot chocolate. Although it looks incredibly appetising, I've never really got into the hype about hot chocolate. When I'm thirsty, I don't want a warm drink. I want a cold drink.

What's your favourite song at the moment?

This is honestly the hardest question to answer. I don't really stick with one song for too long to be honest. I prefer listening to a variety of different songs all suited to one particular theme, and I find 8tracks perfect for this. However, I'd probably have to answer with Lissie - Go Your Own Way. I first discovered this song when I watched the 'Safe Haven' movie trailer (which by the way looks amazing). I absolutely adore Lissie's voice and always captivates my attention when I listen to it. I do love Fleetwood Mac, but for me, Lissie's cover of this song was beautiful.

What is your favourite book?

It's impossible for me to pick just one book, because I have so many favourites. I generally think I have more books than I do friends! One of my favourite books is The Notebook. I only recently purchased this book, but oh my gosh, it's beautiful! Incredibly tragic and romantic, who wouldn't count this book as their favourite? Nicholas Sparks is my favourite author, and I found that he wrote The Notebook in such an interesting way that it captivated my attention.

Another one of my favourites has got to be One Day. I first heard about this book through Instagram (omg this app has saved my life) and bought it just to see what all the fuss was about. If I'm being honest, I found the first couple of chapters a little hard to get into, but once things started to develop, I couldn't put the book down. I did watch the film beforehand, so I was expecting the drama and the tragedy to come, but nothing could prepare me for the intense sadness and loss the book contained.

Last, but definitely not least, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. I read this before the film came out in cinemas, so I was completely in the dark about the plot. I love everything about this book; the mixtapes, the characters and their adventures...it was all so perfect. I wish I was best friends with Charlie, Sam and Patrick. And I wish I knew how to make a mixtape!

What is your favourite animal? 

Cats for the win. This is my gorgeous kitty, Louie. I love him very much. I really miss his brother (RIP Joey, you were the best cat ever). Cats are the best, okay. 

What is your favourite perfume?

I'm going to be honest, I'm not a real perfume addict. I do wear it everyday, but I suck at choosing a perfume in the shops, so I leave it for somebody else to decide and surprise me with. The perfume that I wear daily, is Jimmy Choo, which my Dad purchased for me last year. I really do love it. The scent is not incredibly overpowering and sickly either, so that's a bonus.

How many siblings do you have?

I have one older sister, called Jess. She's currently in her first year of university and I miss her so much. The picture above was taken from our holiday last summer. 

What is your favourite store?

             

Topshop, need I say more? Unfortunately I generally can't afford anything from there. One top is worth my entire months allowance! However, Cath Kidston is definitely a favourite. I literally love everything about the store. As soon as you walk in, you are blown away and have no idea where to look first. Every corner is bursting with the most gorgeous, floral patterns and vibrant colours.

What are your favourite blogs?

I love a lot of blogs for many different reasons, but some of my favourites are A Handful Of Alice, Flashes Of Style, Red Brick Lipstick and Zoella.

What are your favourite TV shows?

Oh God, I have way too many. I'm just going to list them.

• Teen Wolf
• Keeping Up With The Kardashians
• Pretty Little Liars
• The Vampire Diaries
• Glee
• Once Upon A Time
• Great British Bake Off
• Strictly Come Dancing
• Americas Next Top Model
• Waterloo Road
• Kirstie's Handmade Britain
• Teen Mom

I'm sure there are way more than that, but that's all I can think of at the moment.

What kind of phone do you have?

I have an iPhone 4S. I am so happy!! I finally got an iPhone in July and have been so obsessed with it. I'm still a technology fail at it though. I'm always texting Olivia asking her 'what does this do?' and 'how do I do this?' I would never in a million year part with my baby (unless I'd upgrade to a new iPhone or whatever). 

How tall are you?

Correction: How small are you? Last time I checked, I was 5"3. I don't actually think this is small and I'm happy with my height, but it is a little daunting at school being so small! You can see here how little I've grown over the last couple of years. This completely amuses my parents of course.

I hope you've enjoyed my rambles and got to know me a little better. Do let us know what you want to see from us next. We do have a lot of ideas planned, it's just a lot of tests are coming up at the moment at school, so things might get a little hectic and delayed. Thank you for reading!

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