Liebster Award!

I was tagged by the lovely Jessica Bird; she is just starting out with her blog and will be uploading on Mondays and Thursdays. I can already tell that I'm going to love reading her blog posts; thank you so much for the nomination :)!

What is the Liebster Award?

The idea of the Liebster Award is to help spread the word of less well-known blogs and those who are just starting out in the world of blogging. 

Rules

1. Thank and link the person who nominated you.
2. Answer the questions given by the nominator.
3.Nominate 11 other bloggers, who have less than 200 followers and link them. 
4. Create 11 new questions for the nominees to answer. 
5. Notify all nominees via social media/blogs. 

Questions from Jessica

1. What is your guilty pleasure?

My guilty pleasure is sitting at home ALONE with a nice cup of coffee, Yes, I know that that's quite lame considering I'm 21 years old but it's my favourite thing!

2. How would your friends describe you?

My friends would probably say that I'm annoying! In the past they've said that I'm honest and don't stand for things! I think they're good things? 

3. What ten things make you happy?

1. COFFEE. 2. My boyfriend. 3. My friends. 4. My family. 5. Dancing when no body else is in (to judge me). 6. The gym. 7. Entering competitions (Lol, I'm beyond lame). 8. Meeting new people. 9. Volunteering. 10. Sitting in my PJ's all day. 

4. When did you start your blog?

Over the past few years, I've started a few and then ended up deleting them. I've always wanted to blog for myself as an outlet for my thoughts. I've mentioned previously that I'm everybody else's "counsellor" so I tend not to talk about how I feel to many people and sometimes I don't want to tell anybody but I need to get my thoughts out or write them down somewhere. So I thought that this would be the perfect place to do so. 

5. What is your favourite word?

Hmm.. I like the word iridescent. No idea why. There's no cool story behind it. It just sounds cool. 

6. Where do you want to travel to most?

I'd love to drive all around America. I think it would be such an amazing experience. It won't be happening any time soon as I can't drive, have no money and have around 4 years left in education. But one day, maybe. 

7. Where do you get your blogging inspiration from?

I don't really. I'm not looking for this to be a groundbreaking blog or anything. I'm using it to let out my thoughts and if a few people read it along the way and can relate to stuff/enjoy it then that's cool with me. 

8. What is your favourite quote?

"You can be the ripest, juiciest peach in the whole world and there will still be someone who hates peaches" 

-Dita Von Teese. 

I think it's so relatable and important to remember. No matter how good you are at something, there will always be somebody who is better. I think the main message to take away from it is that just because you're not somebody's cup of tea, it doesn't matter, You can't please everybody:) 

9. Who is your celebrity crush?

I have loved Rupert Grint for years! You know, Ron Weasley from Harry Potter? He's got a little something about him. 

10. What is your favourite lip product?

I'm not really a lipstick wearer. Sometimes I wear lip gloss but not often enough to have a favourite. I like the Burt's Bees Pomegranite Chapstick. 

11. What is your goal for 2015? 

I did a short post of my resolutions for 2015; my main goals are to get on track with my health and fitness and make a good impression whilst on placement. Which I start tomorrow, eeeeeeeek!

I Nominate:

Lucie Rebekahh

Chloe Perkins

Whitney Jacks

Hannah Katie

Anna Care

India Snow

Claire Eve

Lydia Leigh

Alexandra Louise

Laurenna Jade

Connie Flower

My Questions:

1. What is your current job/dream job?

2. What is your favourite thing to do?

3. Why did you start your blog?

4. What is your favourite colour?

5. Describe yourself in three words.

6. Which is your favourite: fashion or make-up?

7. What is the best joke you know?

8. What are you doing tomorrow?

9. What is your favourite microsoft word font? (I think this says a lot about people:p)

10. What is your favourite song at the moment?

11. What is the best advice you could give to somebody?

Thanks for reading!

De-Stress and Pamper Routine | Rachel McLaughlin

I'm not usually one to get stressed often but sometimes, like a lot of people, I let things get on top of me. I find that the best thing to do in this situation is pretend that whatever is stressing you out isn't happening and have a pamper sesh! I always like to grab a drink (usually coffee, oops), grab my favourite products, get out some fresh pajama's and have a relaxing bath! 

I love Lush products but I hate spending money but I got bought quite a few goodies from Lush for Christmas so I decided to use the Dashing Santa. I was a little disappointed to be honest; it didn't smell amazing and didn't look great although my skin did feel amazing when I got out the bath. 

While my bath bomb is dissolving, I like to remove my make using Micellar water (this is superdrug's own brand which is meant to be a dupe for Bioderm) then I exfoliate, concentrating on my nose and t-zone (currently using the Garnier scrub). I then use the Clearasil mask and get into Le Bath. 

I usually just lay there for a while and usually spend my time snapchatting pictures of my weird feet to my friends! :P 

I then wash my hair in the shower to remove the residue from the bath bomb. I use head and shoulders smooth and silky shampoo and conditioner. I have a really damaged scalp so this helps repair it. I wouldn't recommend as it almost leaves your hair too silky (if that makes any sense?!) and sometimes it can look greasy even though it's been freshly washed! 

I then use my strawberry shower gel from the body shop. It smells SO SO good! After getting out of the shower I put my hair into a turban and use the strawberry body sorbet; this is fast becoming one of my favourite moisturisers! It literally absorbed into your skin straight away and doesn't leave a greasy residue on your skin. 

Believe it or not link is my least favourite colour after red (who would've guessed; pink socks, pink pajama's). I got these PJ's for Christmas off my mum and they are so so cringey but so cosy! They have unicorns all over them and say "Don't mess with me, I'm magical" oh lord. 

What are some of your favourite ways to de-stress? 

Christmas Haul 2014!

I absolutely love seeing what people got for Christmas. It excites me more than it should. Which is a little sad but I really don't care. I thought i'd do a little post on what I got for Christmas (excitement levels = 1000). 

Presents from my mum

My mum has something that we liked to call "Christmas Phobia". This is a term that I actually made up... Basically, every year, she panics that we don't have enough presents and always says to us "now, I know it doesn't look like much" and we always have absolutely loads of stuff. We are all very lucky and so grateful for everything we get. 

I had a load of other things but most are in the wash or I've eaten them, whoops! I've wanted a tangle teezer and the Muji make-up storage draws forever!

Presents from my dad

My dad bought me the one line a day book which i'm very keen to keep up and the soap and glory eye mask. I also got some money, the big soap and glory set and a Nike top. My stepdad also bought me a big soap and glory set and perfume. 

My boyfriend definitely did well this year. He bought me a Nespresso machine which I've wanted for ages (I'm a self-confessed coffee addict. He also got me loads of the coffee pods so I could try each flavour. He also got me the below and a lots of Reece's chocolate goodies. 

My sister bought me stuff from the body shop and tickets to see magic on ice which I'm so excited about! 

One of my best friends got me a personalised latte glass and other goodies. And my other best friend got me some healthy snacks! 

That's most of the stuff I got! I had a good Christmas apart from an incident on the night which I won't go into but I hope everybody reading this had a lovely Christmas or a break if you don't celebrate it and I wish you a very happy new year! 

What are some of your favourite presents?

Reflections & Resolutions

I've seen quite a lot of bloggers and vloggers doing this kind of thing where they reflect on their year and express what they hope to achieve in the new year. 

When I sat down to do this, I realised just how little I've done this year and every other year before that. Obviously I do many things but nothing notable. For example, one vlogger whom I love, Zanna Van Dijk, managed to graduate, travel for three months around asia, become a sponsored athlete, amongst other things! It made me realise just how little I have to look back on. 

Reflections

-Going on my first couples holiday with my boyfriend of six years. We've never been able to afford to go before, but we finally had enough money. We went to Paphos, Cyprus and it was so so lovely. 

My boyfriend has an ice cream obsession. Safe to say we were here EVERY SINGLE DAY.

Me having a pose and wearing one of my favourite holiday outfits.

CINNABON. Literally the tastiest thing I've ever tasted. I'm obsessed with cinnamon. 

Coral Bay Beach. White Sand and clear sea.

Me with wet boobs.

Hotel ft. boyfriend.

We wanted to stay healthy whilst on holiday. As you can see we both stuck to that. 

Mojito Costa Frappe. Obsession.

Me and Nathan walked for about 4 hours to take this picture and it really doesn't do the view we had justice. Nathan also got sun stroke after this, but it was definitely worth it. 

This water park was extremely disappointing.

That was probably the highlight of me year. It was so nice to just wake up in the sun and not have to worry about the general worries in life. Me and Nathan are hoping to go on a few city breaks this year! 

Resolutions/Goals

This year it would be nice to be able to look back and have a list of different things that I achieved or were at least notable. I'm planning to go on a few city breaks with both Nathan and some with my family too. Hopefully Rome, Paris, Barcelona will be visited. 

I start placement in two weeks which is so exciting for me. I'll be working with group interventions and also an inpatient psychiatric hospital. I'm hoping I make a really good impression while i'm there. 

I really want to complete my hypnotherapy course this year and train and start working as a hypnotherapist. I vowed to do it last year but unfortunately due to finance issues, I was unable to. 

I also said last year that I would learn to drive. I'm going to aim to get the ball rolling with that one even if it does mean just completing my theory. 

I want to get to where I want in terms of my fitness. I'm not very fit and can't run for too long so i'd like to build up my stamina. I'd also like to build on my flexibility. 

Thanks for reading if you bothered to read all the way down to the bottom. Although, i'm not expecting anybody to read this, it's mainly a blog to reflect my thoughts and feelings but if someone reads this,

hello:)

 If you took the time to read this, comment some of your reflections and goals for next year:) 

50 Facts About Me

1. I'm 21 years old (waa) although I feel like I'm still about 15

2. I'm currently at university studying psychology

3. I'm working towards a career as a clinical psychologist & I'd also like to train as a counselling psychologist in the future 

4. I'm obsessed with unicorns, Rapunzel and tinkerbell

5. Over the past year I have attempted to "wean" myself off of my disney and unicorn obsession and asked people not to buy me unicorn and disney related things (even though I still wanted them and people ignored my requests anyway)

6. I find socialising exhausting and would much rather spend time alone (loner alert) 

7. I have been with my wonderful boyfriend for almost 6 and a half years 

8. I have a Shiz Tzu named Angel who I speak to like she is my child 

9. In my life time me and my siblings have had around 23 hamsters

10. 16 of which were just mine and my older sisters

11. I live with my mum, older sister, younger sister and younger brother

12. I'm quarter american 

13. One of my favourite things to do is exfoliating my nose (sad but das me)

14. My favourite book genre is crime/thriller

15. Karen Rose is my all time favourite author 

16. Another one of my favourite things to do is entering competitions (very sad but strangely very enjoyable) 

17. I've never won anything on said competitions

18. I have two step brothers and two step sisters

18. I get on really well with all of my siblings including my step siblings

19. My grandad is american and his great grandad owned half of Atlantic City (but gambled it away in a game of poker)

20. I work as a support worker at my university and help students with disabilities/learning difficulties during their studies

21. My grandad and mum have mental health issues, it's sometimes hard to deal with but I wouldn't have either of them any other way

22. I love volunteering 

23. I volunteered for a charity called beat bullying which unfortunately recently closed down due to funding issues 

24. I recently started volunteering for Marie Curie which I'm loving so much at the moment 

25. I'm hoping to get a job in the NHS as a health care assistant

26. My favourite number is 23. I see it everywhere (and not just because of the film) 

27. My birthday is 23rd July. I was born at 11pm which is 23:00 on the 24hr clock. My best friend lived at number 32 (23 backwards) and my boyfriend lives at number 23. Coincidence? I think not.

28. I have insomnia and either can't get to sleep or wake up every hour

29. Meaning I have the worst dark circles under my eyes EVER

30. Sometimes when I feel anxious my OCD gets really bad and I obsess over little things 

31. I'm quite strange 

32. My favourite colour is probably purple but I literally like all colours apart from red

33. I am obsessed with coffee

34. I lift weights 

35. I love the gym

36. Although I go to the gym regularly, I literally have no stamina and can't run for longer than 4 mins

37. My favourite meal is lasagne 

38. I have only recently become interested in being a girl and wearing make up 

39. I used to be think I was a mermaid and every day after school I would eat my dinner and then go draught in the bath literally for hours😒 my mum and nan sat me down one day and had to explain that this was not normal behaviour 

40. I didn't think I'd be able to think of 50 facts 

41. I suck my thumb and I am not even a little bit ashamed 

42. I always think I like most types of music but it turns out that I mainly like "mainstream" music with the odd song from different genres

43. My worst fear is when people shove a camera in my face when I'm out with friends

44. I pretend that I'm really confident but I'm really not at all

45. I was bullied throughout primary and secondary school 

46. I know basic Russian and wish I could learn more

47. I love mojitos

48. I live in Birmingham, England and I love it

49. I'm definitely one of the funniest people I know 

50. I'm going to train as a hypnotherapist 

I was extremely bored and decided to write out 50 facts about myself. I personally think I'm quite interesting but I doubt anybody else will! 

If you do, comment five random facts about yourself!

Well done stranger if you read this:)

Multi-Disciplinary Team

Sometimes I feel like I have a little team of people in my head, all of whom have different roles. 

With one person, I'm like a counsellor, with another, I'm like a doctor and with another I'm like a person who is always there for them. 

I'm always that person who people can come to. I always ask people how they are and what have they been up to at the weekend- but nobody EVER asks me. 

I think this is partly my own fault, because "I'm always okay". Well, that's what people think anyway. I'm headstrong and I'm aware of my own thoughts and feelings. I speak what I feel to a few select people (my boyfriend and good friend). I keep it hidden from my mum, she has her own mind to deal with. 

My mum has bipolar disorder, and I'm basically her free 24/7 counsellor. I don't mind. I'm probably the only person who can relate to her/understand what she means. I wish I could help her. One day I will. 

Sometimes I feel undervalued as a person. 

I work at my university as a support worker for students with disabilities. I study full time on a psychology course. I volunteer for two different charities. I'm a good person and I'm always looking to help people. 

I feel sometimes like I can't do anymore. 

I don't expect much. But sometimes I'd like if when I ask somebody how they are they say "yeah I'm fine, how are you and how was your weekend?" 

Does anybody else ever feel like this?

I felt like I needed to write this for myself. To just get my feelings out. I don't go to other people to talk about stuff like this because I don't see the point. They can never say anything.