Hello Friends,
I hope you are all keeping well and are in great form this beautiful Sunday evening. So this evening I bring to you a post saying exactly what it says in the title and it's what I would tell my 16 year old self. I came across similar blogs on blog lovin' and videos on You Tube and it got me thinking, what would I tell my 16 year old self?...
1: Don't be afraid of who you are! You are perfect in your own way and you don't need justification.
2:Don't allow how other people think affect you. They don't matter! Don't let them define you. If they have a problem it belongs to them not you.
3:Keep working hard at your studying in school. I know you struggle with the books and people don't quite realise that, but keep at it.
4: Drown out the negativity that is around you. I know you have been trying this for a couple of years now and it's working.
5: Go out walking more. You will not believe the benefits that this could have for you when you hit your 20's. And you will love it!!
6:Embrace your self more and don't be bullied into something you're not. People are shallow but you will let go of this sooner than you think.
7:Look after yourself more diet wise. The sooner you sort this out the easier it will be. ;)
8: Use sun cream more!! When you're abroad and in the blistering heat literally, top up that sun cream ALL THE TIME! You have skin a whiter shade of pale and it will love you for it.
9: Call your Dad more. You will still be telling yourself this in many many years.
10: Save more!! You earn good money girl. Spend wisely LOL :)
11: Don't be pressured into anything you don't want to do just because everybody else is doing it!! You will learn the value in this lesson the hard way but you will be happy you did. xo
12:Do more of what you love. Find your passion.
13: Be true to yourself more with the little things, clothes, make up etc... You know who you are! You have known a long time so don't cover her up with clothes and makeup, you know aren't you. Wait until you unleash the real you! You're world is going to turn upside down, in the best way possible.
14:Don't be so shy! People love you for you. But let yourself go more.
15: Find a hobby that you love! This will be something you will always regret if you don't.
16: Sweet 16 and perfect in you're own way. Time will go by fast so much quicker than ya think so live it up, be gracious and be bold. You will do well.
In the photos above the first one I am on a family holiday and the second one was taken at my dads wedding. Good old disposable cameras! My apolgies the quality in them isn't great ;).
Truth be known. I still have to remind myself of certain things listed above but I'm a firm believer in everything happens for a reason and whats meant to be won't pass us by. I have a great life. Great friends. A wonderful family and I have no regrets, well no serious regrets I would love to take up another hobby, I love blogging! But I have my heart set on learning how to bake and learning a new instrument. The skies the limit right?...
I hope you enjoyed reading this. What would you tell your 16 year old self?
Thank you so much for giving this your time and reading my post.
Much Love,
Amy xo
Hello friends.
I pondered over what to call this blog post for ages. Please keep reading ;)...
So I came across an article the other day (link is just below), a girl by the name of Sallie Axl blasting 'The only way is Essexs' Gemma Collins for 'Glamourising self harm'.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/showbiz/383090/Sallie-Axl-blasts-TOWIE-s-plus-size-Gemma-Collins-for-glamourising-over-eating
Okay lets break it down, who is Sallie Axl? I had no idea neither, but she was a contestant on Big Brother 14 and was the first house mate to be evicted, thought I might throw that in. I stopped watching Big Brother when it moved to channel 5 but I think most are familiar with the concept of the program. Axl is not her real surname and she is also a mother to a little girl. When I googled Sallie 'Axl' nothing but cheap gossipy headlines popped up plus, I would never judge anyone on how they look but if you're going to attack someone on their appearance in any way shape or form then maybe you should take a closer look in the mirror and make sure that you're 'perfect' first. Nothing but cheap provocative images also popped up, I considered not even posting her picture on my blog because to be quite frank I was finding it inappropriate. But that's not what I'm trying to get at here. In fact I think she is raising a very valid point, only in a very mean way!! Here is a relatively respectable image of her.
I would say you have heard of Gemma Collins or recognise her. I have never been an avid watcher of TOWIE but I would be fairly familiar with Gemma Collins, its funny the one episode I do remember watching, Collins was having hypnosis to help with her diet and weight loss and God knows when that episode aired. Whenever I see Collins photographed in magazines she always looks flawless. She was snapped working out, and in fairness who looks cute when their working out? I know what I must look like, not a pretty sight!! And off course the paparazzi got the most unflattering takes of her but personally I find them very motivating. It's real life and it's what you have to do to get into shape.
Now back to the subject in hand. Collins has opened up a plus size boutique and is basically holding a sign in the door way saying 'If you're thin, You're not coming in!!!' hence the title of this post.
Its clear to see that Collins embraces her curvier figure and if anything she promotes a 'body love' image. I certainly don't think for one minute that the sign she is holding is an attack against the thinner woman.
Here's my opinion as a curvier woman. There are so many shops and boutiques out there that cater for the thinner woman, right down to a size 'zero'. However this not the case for the fuller figured woman and even though the average boutique, that carry up to a size 16 max, may not have a sign hanging outside there door saying 'If you're fat, you can't come in' we know we can't shop in them stores, we just don't have a blatant sign telling us we can't. I wouldn't step foot in an average boutique unless I'm shopping with a friend because there wouldn't be a hope in hell I would find something in my size. Yes, there are some shops that cater for the fuller figure woman, some of which I personally love but that's it. I don't believe she is being prejudice or setting a bad example or glamorising self harm in any way shape or form she's doing this for her fellow curvier girl, empowering her fellow curvier girl because there is not many out there who do! And it may be in a very frank way, but c'mon it is a just a bit of fun, and I feel Collins is just hitting back at the many, many boutiques and shops that don't stock plus size clothes. It is also highly likely shes only stocking plus size clothes too.
Axl does make a good point in the article with her very mean tongue, but I think it gets shaded, here's a piece I took from it,
'She is cashing in on making the morbidly obese look so-called fabulous.
Is
she glamorising self-harm by covering up this food addiction… an
addiction which at its extreme encourages people to EAT THEMSELVES TO
DEATH?
Why is this topic not being addressed with the same severity as anorexia?'
Now very harsh words and I would completely disagree with the first part stating she is cashing in on making the morbidly obese look so called fabulous! I'm sorry but that is the most ridiculous statement to make. Clothes are there to be worn regardless of size. Evidently, clothes designers and manufacturers are cashing in on the sizes 8, 10, 12, 14, & 16 left right and centre so I don't understand Axls issue of Collins setting up a plus size boutique. And the final part of the statement 'Why is the topic not being addressed with the same severity as anorexia' And this, my friends is what I am trying to get at...
Forget about the sign Collins is holding, we all have our opinion on that. I want to get at Axl comparing anorexia to obesity. Are these not 2 severe forms of eating disorders?! (okay I know both can be down to medical reasons too) But moving away from that and facing the fact that a lot of the time it's not. I agree with Axl, I feel that anorexia is dealt with a lot more sympathetically and to be honest, dealt with more seriously. Take any of the many programs that air featuring people who are obese. I can't even bring myself to watch them anymore! I just feel they make a mockery of people who are over weight and trying to over come it. Whereas when I watch a documentary on anorexia, it's dealt with in such a way that you totally empathise with people in their situation. At the end of the day it doesn't take a lay man to know that you become obese by over eating and you become anorexic by under eating (bet ya never heard that term before, under eating but I'm sure you have heard over eating) And I just feel that the obesity epidemic that is well and truly on our hands is one that could be dealt with a lot better, this is my opinion from personal experience. I have been working my ass of the last year with a personal trainer and working very hard on my diet to get fitter and healthier and to loose a few dress sizes. But I have sat in front of doctors over the past few years and felt belittled from the way they spoke to me regarding my weight, despite all the work I have put in, and you know what?, It doesn't make my weight loss journey any easier, it doesn't give me the 'I'll show them' attitude. In fact what I will say is, it does the complete opposite, it just knocks me back a few days, maybe even weeks. Days of blood, sweat and tears wasted because of one consultation that left me feeling like crap. And it is not acceptable to be made feel that way, even if they do think it's 'for my own good' I'm also gonna tell ya that 'comfort eating' is not that comfortable!! Imagine the one thing in life that is meant to sustain ya is the cause of your health being in jeopardy, albeit its the abuse of it, that is causing your weight issues, food.
In anyways I wanted to bring this to you today. I'll take away my soap box and get back to my job at hand ;). Sallie Axls article struck a cord with me I just wanted to create awareness from a different point of view.
I hope you enjoyed reading this some what more serious piece, this is my opinion and I'm not trying to force it onto you.
Much Love,
Amy xo
Hello Friends!
Oh my, what a month June has been!
So lets start at the start. I was off work for the first 2 weeks and had planned to do the utmost work for my blog during the second week after I did all the things I planned the first. My friends and I headed to Belfast for a couple days and it was a really good trip! I would highly recommend a visit to the city if you have never been and can't wait to go back. The food, the drink, the bars, the shopping, all fabulous with some fabulous company too, made it even better. Aren't my friends beautiful!! ;)
I then went down to my dads for couple days, it's always great to catch up and see my younger siblings, their so cute!! My dad and my stepmam are amazing parents and it brings me right back to when I was a kid. I always idolised my dad and still do. Yeah ok, I'm a proper daddys girl, spoiled brat LOL but he's an amazing father and would do anything for his kids. I'm loving watching my dad and my younger brother (9) get all caught up in the world cup. Boys will be boys!! ha.
Ella xx
Lee xx
Then onto my second week off. I trained hard, I had 3 sessions with my trainer and got in my own long distant walking too. And caught up with some friends during the week also. Then that weekend, I got a call on the Friday before fathers day to say my dad had been taking into hospital and off course you always think the worse. And I went straight down to him. But he is fine now and making a swift recovery so I got to see him just before fathers day which made him and me really happy.
My mam organised a barbecue on Fathers day with my aunty, uncle and lil cousin, a nice little family get-together but from that morning I felt something coming on. By 6pm I felt rachet and exhausted! Now I am partial to an early night but even that's a bit early for me haha. So I went to have a 'lie down' which turned into me completely knocked out under the covers because I could not get the heat into me. I then woke at around 11 with a fever. And I thought, 'great', frickin viral infection got me! My stepdad and nephew had had it during the week. I got up the Monday my last day off and wanted to make the most of it, being back to the grind on Tuesday for work, So I went about my business which took A LOT of effort, again still a bit of a fever but life must go on. I met my friend for lunch but could barely eat because I felt my throat was beginning to cave too. The minute I got home I was back in bed as I was in work the next day. Got up on Tuesday at 5:30 AM (15 minutes earlier than usual) to give myself plenty of time to get ready for my first day back at work after holidays. I had my shower as per usual but I knew when I got out that work wasn't going to happen, I was done for and felt awful!! So I spent the day in bed. Up and at them on Wednesday went to work that took so much effort! And at this stage I now had my mam, friends and colleagues telling me you need to go the doctor! But me being me, my argument was 'I'm not paying 60 euro to see a doctor to be told this is a viral infection', as far as I know they have to run their course but I caved, I was off the Thursday as it was so I made an appointment. The doctor took one look at my throat and his reaction was priceless. 'Amy, how long have you been like this'! Basically, I had full blown severe streptococcal throat. And I would not wish it on my worse enemy. And I will tell you that I will never put myself through that again. Regardless of what I think it is, I will never try self-diagnose again. It knocked me for six and I was at least 2 weeks before I felt back to myself. 7 days of very strong antibiotics left me feeling sluggish and tired but thankfully they weren't long before kicking in and I feel much better.
It was also my nephews forth birthday on the 18th and my mam and sister throw his party at our house so a few drinks was had after a long shift at work on the following Sunday. Have you tried the Smirnoff frozen cocktails? Pretty good! And I know you shouldn't drink on antibiotics but I think I deserved them. Look at the amazing cake I got for him! He is the biggest spider man fan and was delighted when he saw his cake. It was delicious too ;)
So we are nearing the end of June just and my poor stepdad was taken into hospital. 8 days in total he was until he came home last Wednesday. ;( And I'll be honest I was worried sick. The house felt so empty. Missed his presence so much. So I fed all the animals- (chickens and the dog) LOL Felt very domesticated.
So the last weekend of June is Gay Pride! I won't touch on too much, what gay pride is all about here, I will at some time in the future, but its a big deal for the LBGT community. And unfortunately I was working! I was devo I couldn't go into the parade with my friends but that's life, it happens. However I get did to finish 2 hours early and I joined them that evening. It was the best night out I had in the longest time and it was just what I needed after a very hectic month, it capped June of on a very positive note. I got to catch up with old friends and never laughed so much, from what I can remember ;) ha. The one of me holding the flag is from the year previous. I didn't get near the amount of photos I should of, too busy having fun!
So with everything gone on I didn't get to blog near as much as I wished to be honest. I would never have expected blogging to be so time consuming but it is, and I don't want to post anything half arsed! It means more to me than that, I want give every blog post my all. And I love doing this. So onto my June favourites, I'll keep this short and sweet because I know I have rambled on for days here!
Okay, so I have 5 favourites for you this month and the first is very special to me!
1: Favourite Disney Princess
So this is my random favourite
this month. We all love a bit of Disney and I think most girls have a
favourite Disney princess. I love Cinderella and Belle but mine has to
be Pocahontas. And the reason is extra special, a reason that I will dedicate an entire blog post too soon in the near future.
Did you know that Pocahontas is the only Disney princess with a tattoo?
2:Hair care
For the longest time, after I washed my hair, brushing it was like a form of torture! My hair gets so matted. And I tried every intensive conditioner under the sun, some better than others but ultimately they wouldn't help with the hair brushing process haha (I have long curly hair and it is a bitch LOL) But I gave this little gem a try and it will FOREVER be part of my hair care routine and it is the Mane'n'Tail detangler. You basically wash you hair as normal with your shampoo and conditioner and then spray this generously after towel drying. The first 2 times I used it I would say it helped, not as much as I expected but by the third time I discovered how much of I need. The hair brush runs through my hair like a hot knife through butter. I have used this everytime I washed my hair over the past month and a half, which is at least 3 times a week and Id say the bottle is still 3 quarters full! Plus on one occasion I ran out of conditioner (horrors of horrors) but that didn't matter because I just used a little bit extra. Its costs just under 8 euro and is worth every penny in Boots, a bargain in my book. Its a big 355ml bottle so there is a lot of mileage in it. My much younger sister has a mop of curly hair too so I bought her a bottle also. I know what she goes through having her hair brushed haha. Now, this leaves quite the residue on the floor! So I resided to standing on my mat when spraying it into my hair because you will go flying and hurt yourself if its left on the floor (little warning) :) Mane'n'tail was originally invented and formulated for horses as it suggests in the title!
3:Trainers
Most of my friends now I love vans! I own too many pairs. I got these ones for Christmas and hadn't warn them until this month (was I subconsciously leaving them til the summer) But I love them, they make me happy haha they are just basic black with the white rim sole and white laces available in Office. PS I store them in there original boxes too. Obsessed much?...
4:Clothing
You have probably see this very light box padded jacket pop up in photos. I got this off boohoo.com and it goes with everything, very basic and very light so its perfect for summer evenings.
5:Accessorie
I bought this black and white satchel in Pennys while I was in Belfast and I've been getting so many compliments on it. Now I know its one of those bags you'll either love or hate but I love it. I wear it across my body and it fits all my bits and bobs I carry around with me everyday. It cost me 12 pounds if I'm not mistaken and as far as the quality is concerned I would say it definitely reflects in the price. I don't buy bags all the time but when I do I buy them in River Island, New Look or A Wear as there quality in bags is really good. But if I get the summer out of it its money well spent. I'll have a 'whats in my bag' blog post with this soon.
And there you have it, I know this is more of a catchup blog but I also wanted to mention a few things I loved during June. July will set out brand new challenges. I'm finishing up with my trainer, to say I'm dreading it is an understatement this will truly test my inner motivation. Going it alone scares me so I have to have a good think about my next move in terms of keeping active and getting fit. Plus something very super, my sister is due her baby girl any day now! I cannot wait to be an aunt all over again!!!!
I hoped you enjoyed reading this and I'll be back very soon with another post.
Much love, as always,
Amy xo
