Personal recommendations of the moment

Everything is developing so quickly, I am getting older and with age my preferences change, I am able to choose and make decisions for myself. So here are a few of my preferences at this point in time in my life...

 PINTEREST 

If you shockingly do not know this website I am about to become your hero. This website allows you to 'pin' pictures from different pages, or pictures of your own on to boards. For example the board 'travel' pin pictures of all the places you want to go and there you have it thoughts put into physical pictures, soon enough you're seeing the same picture everyday and you've booked the holiday of a lifetime!

If you want a prime example of a pinterest here is the link to mine:

http://www.pinterest.com/Lucyfdiamond/

You can also make secret boards with maps so if I see a cafe or something in Paris I can pin it and when I next go to Paris I look on my map and know where it is. Pinterest is slowly becoming the positive creative half of my brain but put into action. Perfect during exams when I have no time to actually make things.

CHAI TEA

Literally just introduced to this today... How did I not know about it?! Its like a cappuccino but healthier and more festive and sweet and flavorsome and delicious.

YOUTUBE

A vague heading but so amazing! People who do daily vlogs (Shaytards Shaytards Shaytards (search it)) make my day. 1000s of revision videos on every single subject. Visual directions on anything from how to dismantle a radio to how to fold a shrit. Really, anything you're interested in, search it and watch.

DIY/ HOMEMADE PRESENTS

So much more personal...

Try painting an old bookshelf or making homemade coasters or soap or a cushion you really don't have to be a genius just go for it and see what the outcome is. Also much cheaper than buying new stuff.

Here's a couple of examples of what I made at Christmas...

Photo coasters - buy them from charity shops cover with a photo and sticky see-through plastic (available in all good craft stores £1.99) 

Cork candle holders - cut the corks using a sharp kitchen knife in half, stick onto think card using all purpose craft glue

Reindeer hanger - use felt and embroidery thread. stuff with lavender for a scented piece or old pillow stuffing

Orange peel bunting - eat an orange, keep the peel! Use a biscuit cutter to shape the skin poke a hole using a skewer or thread with a large needle and string

For Easter why not try making a hamper or a chick out of the felt or flower arranging - all cute presents OR simply type in 'Easter crafts' on pinterest 

CAFES

A great social place, cheaper than going for dinner and so good and full of life.

Try different drinks for £2 or £3 pounds, sit for hours, work at the same time or gossip. Such relaxing places.

I am lucky enough to live near a chocolate apothecary...

Amazing... and the chocolates are tiny delicious treats so you needn't feel guilty.

I also live near a cafe by day, cocktail lounge by night, don't fear mocktail is an option! 

TRAVEL

In the last 6 months I have become so absorbed by travel... Having an Austrian friend and Portuguese step mother has really broadened my mind and I am so interested in learning about different cultures and the geography of different places. I am starting small this year and plan to visit London and Oxford but really hope  to do interrail next summer. I strongly believe everyone should do some sort of travel, its so important to engage your brain in the world in which we live in.

FASHION

Ok, admittedly I am not the most fashionable person on the planet but I am trying. It's really difficult to know what works for you and particularly what you feel confident in - if I don't 100% love what I am wearing then I won't feel like the confident person I want to be. I'm really into black jeans - the tighter the better and a baggy top - a flannel or floaty vest and with summer approaching chilled flipflops also accompany this pair perfectly.

Hope you liked this post. Be sure to leave me a comment telling me what you are loving and loathing at the mo'
xox

My first of many trips to Brighton...

My sister is studying at Brighton uni. Ever been to one of the most vintage, 'cool' towns in England? You should. It's quirky, cultural and different. I visited last year and since have been and have just booked a day trip with two girlfriends. 

 These guys were being filmed - one was dressed in a bear suit, the other in some kind of 80s gear. They weren't actually playing the piano, it was a CD playing, weird, 'eh?!

They were outside this cool store called Infinity Foods selling loads of organic products - a scaled down, organic version of Tesco.
Check it:    http://www.infinityfoods.co.uk/

 So Cool! There's an old furniture museum nearby too with load of pop-art style pieces.

 A shop window for a shop I can't remember but who cares, lets get sewing

A park near The Wooden Belly - where we had a really nice lunch platter. Beware though the squirrels are everywhere and they are crazyyyyyy

 

 

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Monday Motivation

Feeling down about Monday? Well here is my 4 step advice to dealing with week blues...

1) Get organised - write lists, make piles, create a mental time plan. If it is revision you are stuck on get cards - only one packet, you don't want to freak yourself out. 

2) Plan something - whether it be a coffee with a friend later on in the week or a summer holiday, give yourself something to look forward to.

3) Make your alarm your favorite song and smile the SECOND you wake up - put a post stick by your bed as a reminder. 

4) Stop counting down the days until the weekend - as I got into the car today, I said to a friend "only four days until Friday". What kind of a way to look at life is this? Wasting 5 of 7 days every year just to look forward to two days that involve NOTHING out of the ordinary. Remember each day is what you make it. If you say today is a great day, it will be, however if you believe the day to be miserable, are you miserable? Yes. So try with all your will to ignore the petty things of life - the sound of your alarm, the heavy work load, the rain and whatever else bugs you.

Remember to always choose the more difficult route. Challenge yourself life is much more exciting.