Hi 2017

So I haven’t written for a while…woops. I didn’t realise how busy second year of university would be, it’s only now that I’m sitting down with some free time to write this post. I had so many blog post ideas, especially for the start of January. I guess this post could be a bit of a catch up?

The year has started off pretty well, I think, *touch wood*. My uni grades are going well and I’ve felt a lot more positive! Like a lot of people, I joined the gym this month to not only boost fitness levels but to just feel good, know what I mean? Its something to do a few hours a week and has helped me feel motivated, which is what I needed in my life.

I’ve made more of an effort to be conscious of what I eat, cutting out foods that don’t do my body any good, an example being bread, since I’ve stopped eating it I’ve felt so much better. I made an effort of writing down what has happened everyday, in a way to reflect how I’ve felt and it has really helped, also surprised I’ve kept it up! The main thing I’ve been working on is saying yes to more things. Whether it’s a walk into town with some friends, taking up the offer of joining the gym or travelling to Liverpool for your friends 21st birthday.

There’s nothing else to update on, but, I hope that everyone is having a good 2017 so far and bare with me for the posts to come.

Tyra's 21st Birthday - follow her gorgeous insta here @unwrittentruth_

P.s. I bought some new converse for the first time in six years and I'm in love all over again...

@allthingsgemima

Avocado and Cinnamon Pudding

In recent weeks I've been trying out a new breakfast recipe that's both light and filling, perfect for an early start as it quick and easy to make. The recipe is originally by Kourtney Kardashian, however I changed it slightly. 

Ingredients

• 1 avocado. 
• 1 cup of milk.
  This can be any milk to your personal preference. 
• 1 tablespoon of honey. 
• 2 tea spoons of cinnamon. 

Instructions

• Slice your avocado in half and twist to have two halves. Carefully remove the stone and scoop out all of the avocado from its coating.
• Measure out a cup full of milk and along with the avocado and both the honey and cinnamon, put all of the ingredients into a blender and proceed to blend until smooth. 
• Finally, pour the contents into a cup. I personally like to eat this with a spoon as though it were a yoghurt. 

Finished Product! - picture taken from my Instagram. P.s. You can see me in the spoon...

The original recipe includes organic products and does not include cinnamon, you can add more or different flavours to your own taste and use any organic products. I occasionally eat a piece of fruit along with this, usually a banana, just to make the morning meal that little bit extra filling. Avocado is great for the skin too! Enjoy...

Positivity

If you've read my previous blog posts, you might have noticed that I didn't seem in the most 'relaxed' way in previous months. I was suffering from anxiety terribly and it stopped me from doing things and seeing people I love. Luckily, I managed to pull myself together at the end of my first university year and came out with a grade I am very proud of as I could have done much much worse.

I'm currently into the first term of my second year at university and not to 'jinx' everything, but I'm loving it so far. I've built up such a positive attitude within myself that I've come to a point where I thought 'Why should I feel like rubbish every day, its not worth it', saying that to myself everyday for a few months generally did help my overall wellbeing and has gave me a better outlook on everyday life.

A couple of months ago doing simple tasks such as going out to town and spending some time with friends made me feel sick to my stomach with stress and anxiety that I would just cancel. I was scared to go out for a few drinks or to even walk to my local shop. However, my anxiety made me feel so secluded and left out by those that I cared about that I was beginning to make myself feel worse because I felt bad in general, does that make sense?

It's easier said than done to tell others, who may suffer with similar problems of anxiety, to 'adopt a new attitude' and 'just tell yourself no', because it is hard to do. But, by including small steps of telling yourself it will be okay to walk to the shop on your own or people aren't judging you behind your back, the more you tell yourself the truth the more you will believe yourself. I could sit and type all day about what others have said makes them feel better and I could google self help guidance and send it to people/look at it myself. The only person that your mind will believe the most is you, you have to believe that you will be okay and that it is okay to feel crappy at times, everyone does and it's natural.

I've had such an amazing month catching up with friends and learning new topics and strategies at university that in a good way I haven't thought or felt anxious. I'll admit, I have forced myself to wake up everyday in summer to push myself to do something to get myself in a routine and I'm glad I did. I now wake up on a morning with plans with my friends because I want to do it for me and me only and thats something I'm not afraid to say I'm proud of.

...

Cocktails with friends at The Botanist - Manchester

The Perfect Pamper

Today, I officially start my second year at university. Half of me is excited to get back into the swing of student life, the other half of me wants to crawl into bed and not think about the endless assignments and projects that await me. Last night, to take my mind of all things university, I decided to have a little pamper evening for myself.

The first thing I did was have a relaxing bath. I used The Comforter bubble bar from Lush and crushed this in my hand under the running tap to create some amazing and beautifully smelling bubbles. Just like it's name, the bubbles and the smell it produces is so comforting. Along with the bubble bar I also used a bath bomb, again from Lush, this being Twilight. The scent of this bath bomb made me feel both settled and tired, definitely a good choice before bed as it has a hint of lavender. To make my bath that little bit more relaxing I also lit a few candles, setting a peaceful mood whilst I read my book. I've just started to read Three Sisters, Three Queens by Phillippa Gregory, I'll let you know how I get on.

After my bath, I popped on my pyjamas and decided to paint my nails in the shade Fifth Avenue by Essie. Whilst waiting for those to dry it I read more of my book and scrolled online. Once my nails were dry I then applied my Simple Night Cream, blog post about this here and settled down for the night with a cup of tea ready to watch a film, I decided on Home Alone 2 and now I feel super christmassy...is that a word?

As daft as it may sound, having a bath in my flat is sometimes a lifesaver. Both my bathroom at my parents house and student halls last year only have showers. Having a bath this year feels like a dream come true as I can finally just sink and relax, even if I am scared to have one because of the water meter.

What do you do when you need to have a pamper? If pampering isn't your thing, how do you relax instead? Let me know!

A 'Simple' Skincare Routine

I've had the summer off due to the university break and finishing first year in May seems like years ago. I start my first 'actual' week of second year on Tuesday and getting back into a routine feels somewhat daunting. However, the one thing that always makes me feel like I've got my life together, even though at times I probably do not, is my skincare routine. I use four products from Simple and would like to share this routine with you and how I like the products.

Morning Routine

The first product I use in the morning is the Simple Kind to Skin Refreshing Facial Wash Gel. I apply this to a slightly damp face and gently rub this onto my skin making sure not to be too rough. The formula is smooth and leaves my skin feeling super soft and refreshed, the gel feels kinder to my skin unlike other facial scrubs. Once I've rubbed it all in, I then wipe away the gel with some warm water and a flannel.

Next, I use the Simple Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Day Cream SPF15. I apply this onto my face once my face has fully dried from previously washing it. I 'blob' on some of the cream onto sections such as my cheeks, nose, chin and forehead, making sure I, again, rub it in gently. The moisturiser has a SPF of 15 which helps protect my skin from the slight bit of sun we may have.

Evening Routine

It is mostly in the evenings when I take the make-up off that I have been wearing all day. To sometimes save time and to be very lazy, I will use any baby wipe of make-up removing wipe I own to take most of the make-up off. I then, with a cotton pad, take a couple of drops of the Simple Kind to Skin Soothing Facial Toner and apply all over my face to remove any left over make-up.

Finally, once the Toner has dried into my skin, like the Vitamin Day Cream, I apply the Simple Kind to Skin Vital Vitamin Night Cream to my face and rub it in gently. It leaves my skin feeling moisturised and refreshed and is not too thick, making it perfect to sleep in.

I enjoy all four of these products and without them would probably lack in any routine at all. It sets me up for the day ahead and leaves me feeling both refreshed and well...clean.

A Many Berry Smoothie

I am currently in Warwick looking after my two cousins for their parents as it's the last week of the summer holidays. To keep the three of us entertained I suggested to make a fruit smoothie, to which the kids came up with a smoothie of just berries, so that's what we did.

We chopped a load of strawberries and added those, raspberries, blueberries into a blender and added a cup of apple juice afterwards to make the contents smoother to drink. The girls LOVED it and it came out such a lovely colour too. We drank these along side some pancakes. Yum!

Liverpool Loving

My birthday feels like years ago and it was only at the beginning of the month. To celebrate me turning 19, me and a few family members took a little trip to Liverpool and lets just say I didn't want to go home. We stayed for two nights in a penthouse apartment on the Quay Side/Dock which was such a lovely treat from my family. It rained for the three days we were there and the breeze from the sea was so cold that it felt like November, not August. But, we didn't let the weather ruin our exploring of the beautiful city. We hid out of the rain for a couple of hours by having a few drinks in The Cavern, this being somewhere that me and my grandad have always wanted to go, the atmosphere was so warm and welcoming and everyone sang along to every Beatle song you could think of. 

If you do visit Liverpool I would recommend having a meal at Gusto which is on the dock. The meals could be classed as pricey but the food was out of this world and it was a lovely way to end birthday celebrations. 

Gusto

I would definitely visit Liverpool again as I fell in love with what the city had to offer and it's only just a quick train journey from Manchester.