February Goals

It isn't very often that I sit down and think about the month that has just been and gone but after January flew by so quickly and things that I did manage to do seem like a distance memory, I thought that it was about time to plan out my February Goals. With February 2016 bringing us the wonders of an an extra day - Happy Birthday 29thers - Harry Style's 22nd birthday, Pancake Day followed by Ash Wednesday and Valentines Day (which I have a bitter relationship with); nonetheless it is time to start prioritising my February 'To-Do' list and where better to start than the things that I should of crossed off in January. Awkward. *Insert monkey with hands over eyes emoji here*: 

1. Budget. Budget. Budget.
Did I mention that I just booked a holiday with my bestie (for the best part of eighteen years) to Florida? Although we knew that we wanted to go away, Florida was a rather spontaneous choice - originally we were thinking Europe, god knows how we got to America from Europe. Anywho, budgeting is going to be rather difficult what with Disney tickets needing to be purchased and long-haul flight must-haves everywhere I look but I promise to try my hardest to budget. Budgeting is difficult but if you start with the small things like taking your lunch from home instead of buying it, stopping your mass intake of caffeine from Starbuck and Costa Coffee and not buying things that I don't actually need, then budgeting can work. I'll let you know how the February budgeting went in March, when I have miserably failed. 

2. Drink more water.
Staying hydrated isn't just good for your body but it is good for your skin, your postivity and it is good for a health kick and detox. Bring on the H2O - so far, I've been pretty good at it, so it is time  to keep it up. 

3. Get out of South West for a weekend.
I miss home friends (who aren't at home anymore) a lot. I miss my university friends a lot too. So it is time to get out of the South West for a weekend and visit friends up and down the country but I think that the most important question to ask is... Where do I start? Cornwall? Surrey? Wiltshire? 

4. Work on my Fitness.
With time ticking away ever so quickly, Summer will soon be upon us. So it is time I stop thinking about how much food I've eaten over the Winter months and embrace the fact that it is time to think Fitness and stop feeling so sluggish. I work in an office. Behind a desk, infront of a screen, five days a weeks. So doing fitness needs to be a must! 

5. Prepare for my Spring Clean.
Technically Spring is another month away but it is never too early to start a Spring-Clean; however with the weather like it is, it's making it increasingly difficult to get in the mood for Spring. Since May 2015, when I returned home from university and I tried ever so hard to squeeze two rooms into one, I have fail miserably. Stuff Overload! My bedroom has felt cluttered and not organised in the slightest; so it time for the detox and de-cluttering to begin. 

6. Forward planning for my Holidays. 
I am fortunate enough to have two holidays this year, normally I am lucky to get one but this year I have two - Success! Anyway, forward thinking and planning when it comes to deadlines and holidays is my forte; yes, I am one of those people who writes out a list of what I need to take and a 'Don't Forget' list to go with it but actually it works, so guess what I am going to be doing in February... 

Until the next goal making and hopefully keeping session, Au Revoir! 
Love, 
Lauren xo 

New Year, New Me 2016

TWO THOUSAND AND SIXTEEN. I mean where did two thousand and fifteen go? I love doing this type of motivational posts - they're not only fun to write but I always think that it is a good thing to set yourself some goals and aims for the year ahead. Although I have to admit that the title of this post is probably one of the most cliché sayings of all time; I mean the clock strikes twelve on New Years Eve and the majority of the population will (or have already) come up with a list of New Years Resolutions but within a month they are back to their usual old self and those resolutions are broken. I am one of those people. 

Anyway, it's no secret that I am a big fan of setting goals, aims and milestones. I felt that last year's New Years Bucket List was rather successful and many were crossed off in 2015 but some have come with me into 2016; so over the next 366 days - yes, 366 days folks because don't forget it is a leap year - I want to complete this bucket list and within the year be the best possible version of myself that I could be but aside from that, I want to... 

1. Do something spontaneous
You could argue that most things that you do are 'spontaneous' but I want to do something that is both risky and spontaneous; not a road trip or a weekend away that I haven't planned (nothing like living on the edge) I mean something different and daring. 

2. Wear less make up 
Sometime wearing make up all day everyday makes me feel.. yuck! I can't even describe it to be honest; I mean some days I would like to just let my skin breathe appose to making it look/feel cakey. 

3. Pick and choose my 'sassy' moments
Sometimes I feel like my 'sassy' moments go a bit too far, so something I need to do this year is ultimately control the sass. 

4. Drink more water
It's a new year, so that means it's time to start a new challenge and drinking more water in 2016. My skin looks and feels really good when I drink the recommended amount of water and not only that I feel really good time; so with the happy of my trusty app I am ready to take on the challenge. 

5. Visit two different countries this year
I think it's about time I see the world while I am still young. I am already going to one place this year but another destination is definitely on the cards... 

6. Learn the star constellations
Looking up at a clear night sky with twinkling star looking back at me, I find rather therapeutic and it is something that is rather fascinating. 

7. Take the next step in my career path
Don't worry I am not one of these people with a five year plan that I am ultimately going to stick to but it is always nice to have a goal or direction of some sort that I would like my future to go in. Even if I get a pay rise, change job title, take on more responsibilities etc it is still another next step on the career path. 

8. Read more books
I really got back into reading towards the end of last year and honestly I forgot how much I actually missed sitting down at the end of a long, busy day with a good book to enjoy. 

9. Be Healthier
Yes I know that everyone says this at the start of January and by the end of January they've broken it but I am not turning into one of those people who goes on a mad health kicks and hits the gym everyday; I just want to be more proactive and stop snacking etc. I think that should be quite simple (once I've eaten all the chocolate I got for Christmas it should be). 

10. Reunite with my university friends
A reunion is definitely in order, I am starting to get separation anxiety. Seriously. I miss my weekly coffee, cake and catch up at Starbucks or a cute little café with the girls where we mindlessly about PLL or the dramas of university. Even if we meet somewhere in the middle (which we worked out was somewhere called Mere, where even is Mere anyway?), make our way to a spa or a cocktail bar or have a road trip to the zoo or beach again; this reunion  will happen. 

11. Step outside my 'comfort zone'
I think this one is rather self-explanatory but I think its time to do something but different and daring; something that I wouldn't necessary think of doing. 

12. Start saving 
To be fair I think that this is a goal for anyone, who has just come out of university with thousands of pounds worth of debt and no savings. I have future goals and they all require money, so it's time to start saving! 

13. Look after my skin
My skin is rather temperamental at times. One minute it is fine and the next, well it isn't good. However since 2015 I think I have found my perfect solution for having well moisturised and balanced skin; so hopefully 2016 will be a good year. 

14. Be Balanced
At the moment, I am all work and no play but that will soon change. I am determine to have a balanced work and social life because without this balance, my life will be pretty damn boring, if I am all work and no play. I deserve to have some fun - I'm twenty-one after all! 

15. Text People Back
I am terrible at this! Apologies for anyone who has been waiting a week (or more) for me to reply to a text but honestly I just don't know why I don't text people back but from this day forward, I promise that I will text you back as soon as possible. Finger my heart! If I don't please tell me off or a reminder text would be good too. 

16. Worry less and be happier
I spend a lot of time worrying. A lot more time than I need to. Honestly I want to change all of that and spend more time being happier and worrying less, which is going quite well at the moment. The key thing is not to let anyone get your mood down, if they do pick it straight back up by doing something you enjoy or love. 

Happy New Year Everyone! 2016, LET'S SEE WHAT YOU'VE GOT! 

Love, 

Lauren xo 

Time to Revisit 2015

This year has, for the most part, been pretty awesome and I've accomplished a lot looking back on it. I wouldn't say 2015 was completely 'my year' but I would have to admit it was certainly a good one - I mean, I graduated from university, made some what I hope are life-long friendships and created some pretty-awesome memories along the way; all whilst I tried to complete my 2015 New Years Bucket List. Just call me Busy-Bee Lauren. 

Looking back, 2015 was a good year but thinking about it, there is still so much more fun and adventures to be had but for now I think it is time to revisit 2015... 

What was my 2015 New Years Bucket List and did I complete it? 

1. Find my 1st (proper) full time job
   Yes! Yes! Yes! I definitely completed this and I am loving every minute of it. 
2. Drink more water
   If I am honest, I started really well with this and then it slowly started to slip but I will be back on the 'Drink more water' resolution in 2016. 
3.  Visit (at least) two different countries
   I only visited one country this year - sad face - which was Portugal with my university friends and had the best time; cocktails, sunshine and laughter, what's not to love. 
4. Start to read more books
   Since finishing university, I've got back into reading and I am always up for any recommendations of any good books - I didn't realise how much I missed reading until I read four books in the space of a week, whilst on holiday. #Bookworm. 
5. Start saying 'Yes' to more opportunities
   I feel like I definitely started saying 'Yes' to more opportunities and it will be continued in 2016. 
6. Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
   Unfortunately I didn't get to visit it this year but I am looking ahead to 2016 Winter Wonderland. 
7. Visit Harry Potter World
   This was achieved! I went with my good friend, Leonie to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and it was indeed every bit as magical as the film. 
8. Go on another spontaneous road trip with friends
   To be honest, you could count the mega-48-hour London experience I had to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Capital FM Summertime Ball with Leonie; although we had to book and buy tickets, we hadn't a clue what we were doing when we got to London - we thought spontaneously, you could say! 
9. Start a scrapbook
   I've only been saying it for the past two years but now I've been saying it for three years, I will get round to it... When I find the time, there just aren't enough hours in the day. 
10. Graduate - You bet I did and without falling over on the stage too! Success. 
11. Visit all my uni friends in the summer
    I did't visit absolutely all of them (and to be fair, one of them was in America all Summer, a bit far to travel, don't you think?) but Birthdays and reunions did happen with the university friends. 
12. Take better care of myself
    I've taken it day by day but I have definitely started looking after myself more. In 2014,  I suffered with bad skin, so 2015 I made a change and luckily that change was a good change for my skin. 
13. Do a good deed for someone
    There have been a few good deeds completed in 2015. 
14. Go a whole day without ANY technology
    This is one that I really really want to complete. No phone. No laptop. No technology. But it is extremely difficult when you work in a digital agency but I want to achieve this in 2016. 
15. Complete the 30 day abs challenge - I don't even think I started this to be fair. Oops! 

Top Five Highlights from 2015

1. Graduating with a 1st Class BA Honours in Advertising and achieving the Digital Marketing Foundation Award with Digital Excellence - one of the best days I've ever had. 
2. Taking selfies (with a selfie stick, obvs) with my university friends in the middle of the park, when we finally finished our dissertation before hand-in. 
3. It is always acceptable to play dancemat (badly) whilst eating pizza, drinking Cava and still drunk on 2-4-1 cocktails that you had at 2pm with your university friends in Turtle Bay. 
4. Drinking 'Sex on the Beach' cocktails with my besties in sunny Portugal, whilst a number of different Portugese men linked our  'Sex on the Beach' cocktails to sexual innuendos. Yuck!
5. Learning that your true friends are there for you, no matter where they are or what they are doing in your time of need. 

Top Five Things I discovered in 2015...

1. I am 100% a #Belieber and #Directioner (even if One Direction are taking a break - sad face!)
2. There is always someone that is going to be better, richer, thinner or prettier than me but being positive is just as good if not better than all of those things. 
3. I have a new found love for Wagamamas. 
4. Over thinking and worrying is a waste of time and doesn't help you move forward. 
5. True friends will automatically know when its time for a coffee, piece of cake and a catch up/cheer up session.

Well that's it for 2015 folks, see you in 2016 with a whole load of new resolutions (which hopefully I will keep a lot better than 2015), Au Revoir! 

Love,

Lauren xo 

New Year, New Me

The title of this blog post is probably one of the most cliché sayings that is spoken every new year, when the clock strikes twelve… 'New Year, New Me'. Every year, I promise myself new year resolutions that I can just never seem to keep; things like: lose weight, be a more confident person or blog twice a week (which isn't so easy when you have the biggest deadline of uni on the horizon!) So this year, I have decided that I am going to find 15 things that I want to achiee and don't worry this isn't going to be one of these Oscar-worthy style summaries where I say 2015 is going to be my year because actually nothing I say ever seems to go to plan. In place of the new years resolutions that I never seem to keep is going to be a 2015 Bucket List where I have one of the most memorable years to date because I have so much to look forward to already like: my graduation, turning 21st and a holiday with my lovely uni girls.

15 things I want to achieve in 2015:

1. Find my 1st (proper) full time job
   Since I'm graduating this year, it's probably time to start to thinking in terms of the real world and earning a living.
2. Drink more water
   I know this is a type of resolution but realistically I feel 100% happier with myself when I drink the recommended amount of water.
3.  Visit (at least) two different countries
   I think it's about time I see the world while I am still young.
4. Start to read more books
   Ever since my dissertation started, I've been reading 20th century novels that analyse theory after theory and I miss cosying up into my duvet with a good book.
5. Start saying 'Yes' to more opportunities
   I think this is self-explanatory really!
6. Visit Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park
   I've always talked about going but my uni schedule just seemed to get in the way but when I finally graduate I will have no excuse not to go.
7. Visit Harry Potter World
   I've waited so long and this will be acheived this year! (Don't let me down Louise, Eleanor and Charlotte)
8. Go on another spontaneous road trip with friends
   Being spontaneous is always super exciting and when it's with friends it's even better.
9. Start a scrapbook
   I will finally put all my photos from university into a scrapbook (I've only been saying it for the past two years)
10. Graduate
11. Visit all my uni friend in the summer
    Okay, maybe not all of them as that would be a lot! Just a few to begin with…
12. Take better care of myself
    Take pride in my appearance but looking after myself a little more.
13. Do a good deed for someone
    I wouldn't say I am selfish but it's always nice to put a smile on someone else's face.
14. Go a whole day without ANY technology
    Now, I already that this is going to be extremely difficult as I have grown up in an ages where technology is on our doorstop but I suppose having a whole day without technology has it's benefits…
15. Complete the 30 day abs challenge
    Now, I managed the 30 day squat challenge surely the ab challenge can't be that much harder… can it?

So, that's a wrap! Maybe check back at the end of 2015 when you can see if I have achieve my 15 things in 2015 and see what the next chapter in my life is going to be in 2016.

- Lauren xo