Life Lately #4 | The Next Chapter…

Is there a better way to help you start writing an introduction to a new blog post than with a cup of tea on one side and a Rolo Cookie Blondie on my other? No, I thought not! Also, you can’t catch up on life without a cup of tea or coffee present. It’s just not right. 

Anyway, let’s been frank… It’s been a while. And whilst these last nine months have literally flown by and I’ve been super busy, I have had time here and there to dot down a few blog post ideas that I am going to start working on. I wish I could tell you that my life has been all glitz and glamour (well it was for a week) but the moral of it is, I have been extremely busy with just normal life. Mainly working and trying to play adult – which at twenty-three years old, I thought I would have mastered by now but then suddenly, life throws one of its curve ball at you.

So instead of going into all details, because you’d literally be here for hours I thought I would dot down a quick and simple bullet point list about what has been happening with me over the last nine months. 

So, here it goes… (In no particular order) 

• I turned twenty-three. That’s right twenty-three. I should be getting better at this adult thing by now, right? 
• I got a new job and moved to Bristol in March. From a small seaside town to a quirky, up and coming city – it was quite a change at first but I think I’m settling in nicely now. 
• My new job is totally awesome and so diverse. No day is the same. 
• I drove combine harvester. That’s right a combine harvester. Just FYI – I don’t work on a farm as part of my day job, one of my client to linked to the fresh produce market – so we went checked it out! 
• I went on holiday to Monaco. Its super glamorous, has a beautiful historic story and it’s own royal family and plenty of super yachts. And when I say super yachts, I mean ‘super yachts’ – they were like floating mansions on the water with multiple helicopter pads and cars on board, ready to hit the open road when they docked. It’s my new favourite place. 
• I walked the entire Formula One Track whilst I was in Monaco, which was pretty cool. 
• I went on holiday for a week abroad with hand luggage only. For anyone that knows me, I’m a major over-packer. How was that going to work? But I tell you something it is surprising how much you can actually fit in those small suitcases. Now I’m officially all about the hand luggage when I go on holiday. 
• I reunited with my uni gal-pals. There was bowling (we get rather competitive, I must say!), shopping, lunching and plenty of Prosecco – no surprise there! 
• I had someone in my life, who would not take ‘NO’ for answer to something. 
• I learnt that even when you think everything is sorted and will be okay, life still throws you some surprises.

FIVE THINGS THAT HAVE MADE ME HAPPY IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS

1. I turned twenty-three, which meant that more celebrating (and Prosecco) was required.
2. Having fresh flowers in the flat and being able to open all the windows and doors. I miss being able to do that in the winter!
3. Reuniting with my uni gal-pal – hopefully we won’t leave it as long next time.
4. Find my love for health and fitness again. Time to hit the gym!
5. Spending quality weekends with my mum. Now I live in Bristol, she’ll come up and spend weekends with me, just shopping and catch up.

Until the next time. 

Life Lately #3 | I'm back, baby!

So, does anyone know where the last six months went? One minute I was happily writing some posts but then all of a sudden, it's December. Yes that's right, I've been totally MIA for a while (okay, for a long while). I don't know want to dwell on that too much but over the last six months, my life has had more twists and turn than a fairground ride. So, what has been happening in my life over the last several months? I feel like I need  to have a big ol' catch up before I start diving back in to my super-long list of blog ideas that I've been coming up with but not had chance to write. Well let's start with what HASN’T happened in the last few months?! Only joking. My life has honestly been pretty average - unfortunately my life is no 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' series quite yet... 

TURNING TWENTY-TWO! 
In amongst my crazy life, I managed to find the time to celebrate a birthday - a 22nd birthday if you hadn't already guessed from the title. I think one of the most exciting reason to turn twenty two is that you can sing Taylor Swift's infamous song "I'm feeling 22!" - if anyone says that they don't sing it on their 22nd birthday - they're lying! Anyway my 22nd was pretty ordinary; got up, went to work, a birthday cake was presented and I got to spend time with some incredible family and friends. 

BECOMING A TIDYING NINJA... 

For anyone who truly knows me, tidying and organising are my forte. Yes that's right, I'm a bit of a clean freak - I like things in order and to be tidy. There is nothing wrong with that, right? Inspired by a book that I read whilst I was on holiday, I've since become an even bigger tidying ninja than before. The book is called 'The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying' by Marie Kondo and it is my new bible - it's incredible. 

The book talks about how millions of people love to keep things because they think they mean something to them but truthfully most objects are kept because people feel bad about getting rid of them. In truth when tidying you need to do it in categories oppose to randomly and each object ask yourself 'Does this spark joy?'. If there is one thing that this book has taught me it is that tidying isn't about getting rid of items that you might not want, its about making a change to your lifestyle bringing joy in everything you do. The student tidier has become the master tidier - said no one ever!

AMBITIOUS BAKER!  

Inspired by the latest series (and last series on BBC - *emoji with tears entered here*) of the Great British Bake Off, I've become quite an ambitious baker over the last few months. I find it as a good way to relax and unwind after a long week at work and what's not to love about baking; you get to try lots of new things, ingredients and you get to be the ultimate taste tester! From flapjacks with yogurt topping to truffles and brownies, my amateur baking skills are definitely improving and with the big day fast approaching look out for lots of festive treats! 

UNIVERSITY REUNIONS

I think one of hardest things about finishing university was leaving my best friends behind but whilst we may live a fair few miles away from each other, reunions make that distance all worth while. Two reunions happened in summer - one in Portsmouth and the other in Devon but one thing was clear, these places weren't ready for us. One was busy catching Pokemon, another was hoping not to get lost in a place they'd never been before and the other we needed to distract from purchasing the whole of Ralph Lauren. Whilst the reunion was a blast and we couldn't control our laughter for more than 10 minutes at a time, there were some valuable things that we learnt along the way:  

1. Bubbles do count as alcohol, no matter how much or little you drink.
2. Rosé is NOT our friends {I think it should come with 'Warning! This will make you stupidly drunk and feel rubbish in the morning when you drink with friends.'} imprinted in big letters on the bottle.
3. Spontaneous evenings are the best especially when you're with your best friends.
4. Looking at every restaurant menu in hope that what we want to eat will jump out at us doesn't actually work {you just end up going back to the first one you looked at - just pick one! I think we were walking around gunwharf quay for 45 minutes looking for somewhere to eat}
5. Playing games when you've had one too many to drink always ends in uncontrollable laughter. 

SIX THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY! 

1. The sound of traditional Christmas songs playing no matter where you go. 
2. The smell of mulled wine, cinnamon and pine during the festive season. 
3. Reconnecting with old friends.
4. Spending the evening wrapped up in a fluffy blanket on an chilly and frosty evening reading a good book with a homemade Christmassy treats.
5. Bonne Maman Caramel Spread. That's all!
6. Planning holidays for 2017! :) 

FIVE THINGS THAT HAVE MADE ME SMILE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS:

1. Reuniting with my best friends from university {I think we can all agree that Rosé is NOT our friend}
2. Booking West End tickets to see Mamma Mia in the New Year. 
3. Buying new Christmas decorations {I know this is small but it just makes me feel super festive} 
4. Celebrating that I'm twenty two! 
5. Getting a new car... Say hello to Aly Audi! 

Until the next life catch up or blog post (hopefully it won't be as long until the next one)... Au Revoir! 

Love,

Lauren xo 

Life Lately #2

Just to give you a sneak preview of what's happening in my life currently; whilst you're reading this imagine two twenty-one year old girls running around DisneyWORLD, with a pair of Minnie Mouse ears on their heads. Such cool kids, right? Anywho, as we are currently loving life in Disney; here a just a few other things (including Disney) that I've been up to lately... 

NEW PLACES TO SHOP
Addicted in an understatement. Seriously, I'm surprised my bank haven't got in touch with me yet to about how much I've been purchasing from Oliver Bonas & Esty recently. If you want something there is no doubt that Oliver Bonas and/or Esty has got in stock; I think the problem is I tend to find things on there that I don't really need but actually I just convince myself that I need it and I will find use for it. Recently I've purchased a large number of trinket dishes, make up brush pots and quoted frames; yeah I think I need to take a break. Oops. 

THE HOLIDAY HAS FINALLY ARRIVED! 
It's finally arrived and my excitement is about to erupt like a volcano. After waiting three months since booking this holiday, there is nothing more excited than meeting up with one of my best gal pals before heading to Gatwick to fly to Disney, Orlando. Ekkkkk! Whilst you're reading this post, I'll no doubt be running around Disney with a selfie stick in hand and Minnie Mouse ears on my head - yes I'm twenty-one and no I don't care! No doubt you'll hear all about my Disney holiday very soon! 

HEALTHY EATING 
Since my last 'that's life', I've been really into getting healthy and eating healthy - no doubt that will be straight out of the window, when I get to America - anywho, I've been really good lately; no snacks, unhealthy meals and I've been hitting the gym regularly. Everything I bake has had a healthy/fruity twist to it; seriously cinnamon and berry granola and apple flapjack are now my two go-to bakes for Summer 2016, I just can't seem to get enough. 

FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

1. When a client tells you personally that you've done a good job! 
2. Having fresh flowers in the house.
3. Being able to have the windows open all day without the risk of freezing to death. 
4. Everyone being incredibly happy and friendly because the sun is finally out. 
5. Finally being able to be in complete holiday mode! 

Until the next time, once again that's life; Au Revoir!
Love,
Lauren xo 

Life Lately #1

Am I currently sat here writing this post whilst consuming a vast amount of Easter egg chocolate? Yes. Yes I am indeed. But what can I say, that's life. But it got me thinking... Every Friday night I think about having two full days all to myself; no work, no commitments, I can do what I want, when I want and then BANG! By Sunday evening, I am wondering where the weekend went, setting my alarm for 6:30am and heading to bed early. Life of a full-time worker, eh? Anyway, since I am absolutely rubbish at keeping a diary, I thought what better way of documenting what's happening in my life than writing a post about it. That's life I suppose... 

WORKING LIFE 
Since January, my working life has been somewhat hectic to say the least. I've taken on more challenges and developed more skills, that I could of ever hoped for within such a short space of time. No day is ever the same, which I suppose is what makes it so interesting and diverse from a normal office job but the one thing that I would say is the most consistent element of my working life, is having a coffee as soon as I walk into the office in a morning. That I don't think will ever change.

MAKING AN EFFORT

Whilst I love the 'lazy wear look', I've recently had a good clear out as I am trying to 'up the effort' with my wardrobe - not just for work but my everyday clothes too. I've been trying so hard to find my own personal style, which has been fun but kind of pricey at the same time. I am getting there; slowly but surely. 

Don't get me wrong, I do make more of an effort for work but whilst just chucking a t-shirt and jeans on with a pair of really comfy Converse is great for comfort, it doesn't really make me feel good. Since 2016 is about getting out of my comfort zone, I thought that making a effort with my wardrobe is definitely a good start. 

HEALTH & FITNESS 
Now that I'm working Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5pm and whilst I enjoy my job, sometimes sitting behind a desk all day makes me feel rather lazy, so I have finally decided to join a gym. I've been a member of a gym before but unfortunately I was never motivated enough to actually get fit and health, like you're meant to when you join a gym.

Anyway the difference between this time and last time is I've actually taken time to talk to a personal trainer and they've planned a programme out for me - which makes such a difference compared to going to the gym with no plan and no idea what you are doing. So, that would have to be my first tip for beginners heading to the gym: Talk to a Personal Trainer and get a programme sorted! 

Since starting the gym, I've motivated myself by getting some fab fitness wear from USA Pro, Nike and H&M and believe it or not, feeling great in fitness clothes will definitely get you motivated for the gym. 

FIVE THINGS THAT MAKE ME HAPPY

1. Watching Disney movies back-to-back 
2. Discovering my love for reading and Nutella on toast once again!
3. Getting back into Fitness
4. Starting to think about what to pack for Florida! Eeeek! 
5. Reuniting with two of my besties (via Google Hangout; hopefully it will be face-to-face soon)

Until the next time, that's life, Au Revoir! 

Love,

Lauren xo