Lifestyle // Tuesday Treasures #2

Here's the second edition in my Tuesday Treasures series and I'm sharing my latest Internet favorites with you all! I'm always super excited to make new discoveries,so here are the newest bits and bobs that I've been watching,reading,wanting and laughing at.

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After binge watching season 2 of Orange Is The New Black, I'd been looking for a gritty comedy-drama to watch to fill the Netflix void.Like most things I've enjoyed watching,I have heard so many great things about this show,and I haven't been dissapointed so far! It's really well written and the actors are so believable.Bryan Cranston plays a troubled middle aged man who gets into a bit of a pickle (I won't spoil it for you!) very well,I've only ever seen him in Malcolm in the Middle,but he is a very versatile actor.I'm a bit slow on the uptake as there are five seasons,but if you're into crime dramas full of suspense and dark comedy then I'd check it out!

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I've just discovered some beautiful illustrations by a Mexican artist called Ilse Valfre and I'm really glad I came across her work! I love quirky illustrations,and these adorable and wonderfully drawn characters are really striking.I'm looking to buy some art so it's great that she has an online store where you can buy clothes,accessories and prints all covered in her offbeat style.

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When I scroll through Instagram,I definitely notice a bit of a pattern going on! I've seen a Starbucks cup have tons of like before,throw in a cute cat and artsy food shots,and you're a fully fledged IG addict! Satiregram is an account full of witty sentences about our favourite and most cliched Instagram snaps.

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This beautiful bunting necklace is just too adorable for words! I love subtle jewellery that you can wear with everything,and this is a great budget piece at only £12.You can buy it from Ji Ji Kiki which is an awesome independent online store selling wonderful vintage bits and bobs.I had the pleasure of hearing Emma,the lovely owner of this shop give a talk at the South West Blog Social,she's so genuine and hard working!

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I don't really know how I'd describe my interior design style,but I love anything cute,vintage and completely unnecessary! I've seen little deer figurines all over the internet and on blogs recently,and I think they would add a lovely touch of kitsch to any home.I reckon I'd be able to find some in a charity shop,that's going to be my next mission.

There's more!

If you need any proof that elephants are awesome,here are 22 photos of them making the world a better place.

I keep wanting to play the indie horror game Slender, but I keep chickening out! Has anyone had a go? I'm a big fan of first person survival games.

This hilarious video by Brett Domino will show you how to make a pop hit song

SimplyNoise is a great site that plays white,pink or brown noise which is great to relax your mind or help you concentrate.

Taking myself back to my tween and teen years with 31 things that always got '00s girls in trouble.I think I was surgically attached to my GHD's.

What are you loving this week? I'd love some more things to check out!

Recovery // How to handle diet talk

Did you know that research suggests that women can spend 18.9 years of their lives on diets? (source) So it's only inevitable that eventually someone is going to tell you about their latest weight loss plan in great detail.I think it's become so ingrained in our society now that it's considered normal and healthy to diet.Talking about weight loss has become a way for people to bond,and nothing unites people faster than a shared struggle.However as a person in recovery,I could do without hearing about how "bad" you were when you ate that cupcake.Of course I don't blame people for talking about their diets,they offer the exciting prospect that when you finish them you'll be thin and gorgeous,it doesn't work like that but I have no room to talk! I'm trying to learn that my life should be about exploring opportunities and ideas and not getting caught up in what other's are doing.I completely support people's right to do what they want with their own bodies and lives,but I'm talking about how to avoid and handle the often non stop chatter surrounding it.

1. Remove yourself from the situation

I know this isn't always possible,but if you're able to it's a good idea to try and move away from certain conversations.Protecting your mental health and/or recovery is more important,and if you feel like certain people or discussions are affecting that then some time by yourself might be helpful.I try to find a hobby to pass some time until I feel more comfortable,blogging is such a great way to vent! Other ideas might be listening to music,tidying up or watching cat videos on Youtube (would recommend.)

2. Change the subject

If you're not able to go somewhere else,subtly changing the conversation to another subject can really help shift things towards a more positive direction.For example if someone says "urgh I shouldn't have eaten that burger at McDonald's,I'm so fat" you could say "I thought it looked quite nice,did you see (insert name) there? I find that if you mention another aspect of their evening/outfit/food or whatever they're talking about the diet talk often ends there.

3. Be understanding

These days talking about dieting and weight loss is as common as discussing the weather,and you can see why in today's society.The constant sexualisation and objectification of women in adverts can really distort what both sexes think is the right way for a body to look.Of course,all sorts of mental health problems and/or unhealthy behaviour can come from not being able to match up to these standards.Diet propaganda is displayed on our TV's and magazines 24/7 and there's never a break from it,so you can understand why some people may be swept away with the idea that they too can be the "perfect ideal".Whether or not you agree with their diet,you probably know what it's like to feel insecure so a quick "I'm always here if you need to talk" might go a long way.

4. Talk to them

Sometimes people can be oblivious to what they're saying and how it can affect other people,it's quite easy for people to get wrapped up in their little bubble! If it's really getting to you,having a quick word with them could make all the difference.Something like "I'm trying to change my mindset and learn to accept my body without dieting,I'd really appreciate it if you didn't mention your diet all the time." Making sure that you're honest and open with them is definitely the right way to go,seeing as that's what all good friendships should be based on!

I've found these ways of dealing with diet talk really effective,obviously you can't censor people and their going to say what they want to,but that doesn't mean you can't say how you feel or have to be in a negative atmosphere.



Do you have any tips to deal with diet talk?

Lifestyle // Our Honeymoon FAQ

Don't you just love going over photos that have special memories? I always try to make sure I take my camera with me everywhere to capture moments that I want to remember.The most life changing event for me so far has to be our wedding,I had so much fun writing a blog post on it which you can read here.Of course,after the wedding comes a honeymoon,so I thought get all of my photos together and share with you our first trip as Husband and Wife!

Where did you go/ How did you get there? 

We went to Cheltenham for a week as we were looking for somewhere budget friendly,and it only takes a couple of hours to get there from our hometown (travel sickness is not very romantic).Also,it means that we can visit Sam's family as that's were he hails from originally. We got a lift to the train station and as we were saying goodbye to my Grandparents, they threw confetti at us! With confetti in our hair and armed with a bag full of food (have you seen the price of train sandwiches?) we spent the hours watching the scenery go by and playing Lord Of The Rings Top Trumps.

Where did you stay?

We stayed at Sam's Gran's house and then visited his Dads for one night.I know this doesn't sound very romantic,but it is a great way to meet his family who we don't otherwise see very often,and their houses are in beautiful locations.One is in Gloucester and the other lives in Cheltenham,which was so convenient as they're only about 9 miles apart and are connected by a pretty reliable bus service.

                                                              What sights did you see?

You might recognise these corridors as parts of Gloucester Cathedral were used to film Harry Potter! We loved wandering the passageways and enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.It's a huge building with plenty of beautiful stained glass windows,which means that it's always full of people making the most of photo opportunities,it's definitely a great place for bloggers!

We didn't even know this place existed until I noticed a little alleyway that was covered in beautiful Christmas lights.This cute little shops is full of everything Beatrix Potter and tells the story of how Gloucester influenced her stories.It would be a great place to take children,or even for newlywed twenty somethings to reminisce about their childhoods!

Cheltenham is so pretty,especially in the Winter months.The streets sparkle with Christmas lights and really show of the beautiful regency buildings.It's the perfect place to go for romantic walks or for a date because there are tons of restaurants for any budget (I'm all about Wetherspoons!) At some point,we'd really like to go to the races to see what all the fuss is about.

We even managed to squeeze in a quick trip to Tewkesbury which is a cute Tudor market town.There are lots of great shops to look around and of course,we had to look to see what bargains we could find in the market (that never changes!) I think I got a little snap happy but I wanted to make sure I remembered every second of such a special time.

We had such a great time just simply spending time together without technology or TV to get in the way.It just goes to show that you don't have to go abroad to have an awesome holiday.Saying that,for our 1st year Anniversary we are thinking of going to Paris so I'd love hear people's experiences in the "City of Lights".

What was the last holiday you went on?

Recovery // How to stop weighing yourself.

 via WeHeart It

For years,every morning before I did anything else I would step on the scales like I was consulting a crystal ball."What will my weight be?" and "Will I have a good day today?" ran through my head and those numbers would too for the whole day.My food choices would be affected too,if I went up a pound that must of been because of that nice meal I had last week so I would cut down my intake "just in case".I know not everybody develops Eating Disorders but it's so easy to let that number rule your mind and the relationship you have with your body.Although in some medical circumstances having a Doctor weigh you may be necessary,I think it's best to avoid it as much as possible.Weighing yourself can't really tell you much about your health,it can't tell you about who you are as a person and it certainly isn't a marker for how good or bad you're day is going to be.I think using a scale can sometimes disconnect yourself for your body and base it all around numbers when you are so much more than that. Admittedly I still do slip up sometimes,but I've put together some tips that I've found helpful.


1.I try to keep the scales hidden because then I'm much less likely to get on them.It's a simple case of "out of sight out of mind" but more often than not I find that by the time I think about getting on them, I'm already doing something.If this is too hard to for you to do right now,I'd suggest getting someone you trust to remove them for a while.

2.Wear clothes that you feel comfortable and nice in.If you grab those jeans from the back of the wardrobe (that you know don't fit) it can be all too tempting to step on the scales in order to confirm what you feel about yourself.

3. Realise that your weight isn't necessarily an indicator of your health or well being.People of all sizes can be healthy,chronically ill or anything in between,and they're all worthy of feeling good and happy in themselves.Focus on what your body can do,no matter how small that seems.

4.The scales can't tell you anything but a number.The people in your life are going to know a great deal more about you than a machine.If you're struggling with how you feel then I've found that talking to someone you can trust really helps.I've just said "I'm feeling really conscious about my weight and it sucks" and it's surprising how nice it feels to offload and share your problems with others.

5.Learn to accept that your body is in a constant state of change.In just one day your body is already regenerating and changing in small ways.Natural changes that occur in the body during ageing,pregnancy or illness are likely to affect your weight in someway,so find healthy coping mechanisms to deal with this like practising self care and building positive relationships.


I'm still working on this but telling myself these things regularly is really helping me to change my mindset and keep myself focused on what I want to achieve,which is a healthy view of myself and my body.It might take a while but I've got no doubt it's worth it.I know lots of other people have the same problem too,so I hope you've found this helpful.

What tips do you have to help stay off the scales?

Lifestyle // Bloggers you should be following Part 1

There's nothing I love more than heading over to Bloglovin' armed with a cup of tea to see what's new in the Blogosphere.I get so many great ideas and inspiration from everyone's stories and I'm always finding great new blogs on Twitter. I've virtually met so many lovely people via social media and I love interacting with every one of them,but I've compiled a list of bloggers who really brighten up my feed with their excellent writing and fresh take on life.

If you love all things vintage,adorable cats and cruelty free then you'll love Tiny Grey cat which is written by the lovely Lily.Her openness about the reality of recovering from cancer is really thought provoking and brave as you can see here and here.As an avid tea and coffee drinker,I love the Mugshot Monday posts she writes,showcasing her collection of interesting and very quirky cups full of stories.Her cats Soldier and Trobadour (I had to google that,apparently its a medieval French Poet) are ridiculously cute and how awesome are their names? I love the whole rockabilly vintage look that she's got going on and,I really look forward to reading more about her style! 

I only discovered this blog run by Joelle yesterday but I'm so glad I did,it's a great mix of fashion,comedy and sh*t she doesn't care about.Her post about her top 10 Bebo memories really took me back and gave me a good laugh,she definitely says what we're all thinking.I love how her blog is separated into sections (very organised!) and there is some wonderful tips and advice amongst the funny stuff.There's a lot on this blog that I've never seen before such as her post on funny spam comments and blogger encouragement,so you'll definitely find something on here for you!

The first thing that caught my eye about Twenty Something Sherbet / Dear Ms.Leigh was how creative and pretty her about me page was,and that's only the start.If you're into crafts then Rachael's handiwork will give you some great inspiration.I particularly love this Michigan State Map and Angel of the North cross stitch.I love reading about her adventures as an English lady living in Michigan,USA and she even went on a quest to find some good fish and chips. Her pictures are so beautiful and a world away from what I'm used to,so I love heading over to her blog for some escapism! 

If you aren't following this lovely ladies already then I would definitely head over to their blogs now and click follow! They're all really supportive and their content is so well written that you'll never want to get off Bloglovin'.I've really enjoyed writing about other bloggers and I'm making this part of a series to celebrate all of the great achievements and people in the blogging community.So watch this space for more 

awesomeness!

Who would you recommend that I follow?

*If you enjoy connecting with me and reading my posts,I would really appreciate any nominations for "Best Newcomer" in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next *

Internet // Why I hate Guru Gossip

I love joining in with Twitter chats,there's always so much interesting conversation and wonderful people to talk to! Yesterday's fashion bloggers (#fbloggers) chat was about Internet etiquette,and lots of people spoke about how they are supportive of each others efforts and take steps to avoid "trolls".Trolls are the lowest form of internet life,and take great delight in demeaning,belittling and insulting people online for fun and to get a reaction.We were talking about different platforms that exist for people to spout negativity,and someone mentioned a site called "Guru Gossip" where people go to "trash" bloggers and act like a group of teenage bullies.I thought I'd check it out but what I saw left me feeling really angry and upset.Just like anything though,there is always the small minority who ruin it for others.

Don't let the pretty logo and eye pleasing layout fool you,I only spent a short time browsing through the message boards and I was really dissapointed with how personal some of the comments were.It's fine to not like someone or their blog,and it's OK to give someone constructive and non offensive criticism,but it is not acceptable to make derogatory comments about weight,appearance and upbringing whilst photo shopping and sharing photos and videos of bloggers. Admittedly,there are areas of this site where people can talk about bloggers they do like in the "adored bloggers" section,and people who disagree with the website can say so over at the "Gurus Against Guru Gossip" board,but for every 1% of positivity and kindness it seems like the other 99% is pure bullying.

I just don't like the idea of a "gossip" site.It conjures up images of mean girls from school who sit around the table and discuss who they're hating today,except that most people on here seem to be adults and should definitely know better,although of course bullying isn't acceptable at any age.There are some people who would say "I can say what I want,it's a free country" or "it's not bullying",well to the first statement I'd say that although you can't censor the Internet or what people say,that doesn't mean that people should be posting inflammatory comments and using degrading language.Just because you can doesn't mean you should!

According to Stopbullying.gov bullying is;

Unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance.The behavior is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time".

That definitely goes on at Guru Gossip.Whether you say something online or in person,it still has the power to greatly affect that person's self esteem and mood,and people should hold themselves accountable for what they say.People start up blogs for all kinds of reasons,and the variety is what keeps the community alive and interesting,who are the people over at Guru Gossip to say what people should do with their time,money and bodies?

If you've managed to get through this then you're a star,I just really needed to get this off my chest.Everyone who I've met online through blogging has been awesome and writing has really enriched my life and helped me gain more confidence! People need to remember that you don't have to bring someone else down to build yourself up.

/ end rant

Have you ever had a look at some of these "gossip" sites? Did it surprise you?

*If you enjoy connecting with me and reading my posts,I would really appreciate any nominations for "Best Newcomer" in the Cosmo Blog Awards with Next *

90's baby // Playlist

I love everything about the 90's.Everybody reminisces about their childhood,and I think there was something really special about that time.I was born in 1991 so I got to experience lots of the fashion,entertainment and music.I grew up listening to a lot of ballads (so much Celine Dion and Whitney Houston-thanks Mum!) but being a child my musical tastes changed by the hour.I still love listening to my old favourites so I thought I'd share them with you!

Travis :- Why does it always rain on me? (1999)

Does anyone know what happened to Travis? They had some great songs in the 90's including this one and Driftwood.I always though they seemed a little depressing,"Oh where did the blue skys go/And why is it raining so?",but I it's a very chilled song with a lovely melody.It's a shame they didn't release more.

Jennifer Page :- Crush (1998)

I didn't really understand this song at 9 years old but I love (and still do) how easy it is to listen to.I remember it being played constantly on the radio and I loved to join in with the "sha la la la" part.

The Wannadies :- Me & You song (1994)

Yet another 90's band that seems to have disappeared off the face of the Earth! This is such a feel good song,it's definitely one for those long summer days.The lyrics are really simple and easy to follow too,which i loved as a kid.

Oasis:- Wonderwall (1995)

I love this song so much I had it as the first dance at the wedding! It's such an iconic song and the words are so beautiful.It's sung by Liam Gallagher on the main version but there are some acoustic recordings of Noel singing it that are amazing.Oasis is my hubby's favourite band so I've been getting into them more now that I can appreciate them as an adult.

Spice Girls-Wannabe (1996)

Everybody and their Mum loved Spice Girls back in the 90's (and most still do!) This was one of the anthems of my childhood.I always wanted to be Baby Spice (my hair was always in bunches) and I would parade around the house proclaiming "if you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends" which looking back was a bit dubious! The lyrics are really catchy and it definitely gets in your head.Remember The Spice Girls Movie?

Chumbawumba :- Tubthumping (1997)

With a band name like Chumbawumba you can expect something completely different! It's really easy to sing along to as most of the lyrics are "I get knocked down,but I get up again,you're never gonna keep me down".I remember this being played at parties all the time as a kid,and all of the adults who'd had a few too many would start chanting this!


I have so many favourite songs from the 90's that it would take me forever to list them.I'd love some recommendations though,so what are your top picks from the decade?

Life // How to be a Morning person

via Pinterest

I've always been a Morning person.I love getting up before anyone else and pottering around,it gives me time to get myself ready for the day and puts me in a good mood.I know there are people like me around,but it seems most people (including my Husband) share the opinion of my beloved Grumpy Cat."How can you get up now?" is what I hear most mornings,I don't know really but I've got a few things I do to ensure that I wake up on the right side of the bed.

1.Turn off any electronics when you're going to bed.It's really easy to say you're going to sleep but then an hour later you're somehow watching that Poker that comes on at 2am (true story.) Now,I always make sure I turn off the TV and tablets etc.. so that I don't want to go on them.It also means I'm saving money too! Being in a dark room with no distractions is a great way to get a deep and refreshing sleep.

2.Get up and appreciate your surroundings.There are only 24 hours in a day,so enjoy every one you can! I find looking outside the window to see the sunrise or going downstairs to make a cup of coffee and sitting quietly really helps me to appreciate the little things and gather my thoughts.

3.Try to have a good breakfast.I know this can be hard if you're in a rush for whatever reason,but there are so many benefits to this important meal.Eating breakfast has been proven to aid concentration,keep your mood stable and of course,gives you essential energy for the day.

Some great breakfast suggestions;

Porridge with milk (top with fruit and/or nuts for an extra boost)
Scrambled eggs/beans on toast
Granola and yoghurt
Smoothies (bought or even made and frozen for an easy breakfast)

4.Try to go to bed at the same (or at least similar) time every night.I've found that my natural body clock wakes me up quite reliably and I feel rested.Obviously,if you've got to get up at a certain time,set you're alarm but ensuring that you get you're body in a routine is really helpful in not feeling horrible when you wake up!

I know these might be quite obvious,but I've always done these and I don't get that groggy morning feeling.Making time for sleep can really change your life because the time that you're awake is higher quality! I think a lot if is habit though,and our bodies are really good at adapting to changes.

What tips do you have for people struggling with mornings?

Poundland bargains // Derma V10 Anti Wrinkle moisturising cream review

I always get so confused with all of the technical mumbo jumbo when it comes to skincare.I don't know what "peptides" are or what hyaluronic acid does for my skin, I just want a face cream that  is simple and affordable.Of course,I went to Poundland and I found this little beauty.I'm not the sort of person to spend £30 on one product,so I was hoping this would be a perfect budget alternative.

The first thing that caught my eye was the packaging.I like how fuss free it is and it looks quite luxurious for a cheaper product. 50ml is a generous amount,and it's suitable for all skin types so it shouldn't irritate any problem areas.I've seen Q10 mentioned on other anti wrinkle products and apparently that is because it rich in antioxidants,which are great for maintaining healthy skin .Aloe Vera is very good at calming redness and Carnitine helps boost anti aging properties.It all sounds very professional! 

This is a new pot,but I've been using this for around 3 months and I'm really happy with the results.It has a lovely consistency and is thick enough that it leaves my skin feeling moisturised without that greasy feeling.Also,a little goes a long way,I only use about a 10p sized blob to cover my whole face.I can't comment on it's anti wrinkle effect as I don't have any yet (maybe that's why!) but it creates a wonderful smooth base for my make up and it does everything a face cream should do.It smell gorgeous too,it reminds me of a mix between fresh laundry and soap.

I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is looking for simple skincare that works.If you're spending quite a lot in that area,this would be an effective alternative.My pot lasted 3 months using it every day so I only spend £4 on face creams per year,less than one pot of higher end product.

What skin cream are you using at the moment?

Best of the web // Productivity

I love coming home after a long day and seeing what's new online.Recently though instead of looking at cats on Youtube,I've decided to use my time more productively! I've found some great sites that haven't only helped me,but other people too.What better use of my time? I've found so many that I'm going to make a series out of this because I think you're going to find them useful.






 freerice.com

Freerice.com is a wonderful site where you can improve your vocabulary and help feed hungry people! A word will come up and you've got to pick the correct meaning.Each right answer means that 10 grains of rice have been donated through the World Food Programme.The questions get harder and it's actually quite addictive trying to see if you can get more grains.I definitely think this is more productive than Candy Crush!

Coffitivity

This website has really improved my productivity and thought processing.I just plug in my headphones and I can hear the realistic sounds of a Coffee shop.Apparently,this atmosphere is really good for helping inspire creativity and helping you focus.When you think about it,that must be true as it's very common for people who are writing to come and sit in a cosy Coffee shop.There are 3 background noise to choose from; "Morning Murmur","Lunchtime Lounge" or "University Undertones" which is great as there is one for every mood or time of day.If you're finding it hard to concentrate on blogging,work or studying I would definitely recommend playing this in the background.

29a.ch (Nebula creator)

This site is a bit unusual but I've found it really useful in helping me stay calm during anxious moments.It's very simple to use as all you do is pick colours and drag your mouse around the screen.This creates a really pretty Nebula that you can customise.I find the simple actions and colours really calming,kind of like watching fish.It's a great activity to just take your mind away for a few minutes and distract from any negativity.



I'll be adding more sites as I find them,the Internet is full of weird and wonderful things.Do you have any sites that help with your productivity? 

Bucket list // 30 before 30

Things have been going really well recently,I've been feeling much more well in myself and I've been thinking of what things I want to achieve in the future! I've seen other blogs do "bucket lists" where they write down what they want to complete in their lives and I think they're a great way to keep focused.I decided to do a 30 achievements by 30 list.This gives me a whole 7 years to see how many I can tick off.I couldn't decide as I have so many,but I narrowed it down to my "must dos"

1. Swim with Dolphins
2. Donate my hair to charity
3. Visit London
4. Get a mortgage (easier said than done!)
5. Have a flat/house decorated exactly how I want it (I love cosy homes with plenty of throws and cushions.)
6. Help feed and bathe Elephants (I wanted to ride one but after researching it seems unethical.)
7. Start a family
8. Stay recovered from Anorexia
9. Have a pet (preferably a pug if Sam would agree!)
10. Visit America 
11. Stay in 5 (or more) hostels
12. Cook a three course meal from scratch
13. Keep up with blogging
14. Take a dance class with my husband
15. Be in an audience for a TV show
16. Try to reduce/control my anxiety
17. Stay up all night to watch the sunrise somewhere pretty
18. Visit Bora Bora and stay in a over water hut
19. Have a good skin routine (I want to stay looking young!)
20. Go Ice Skating with Sam
21. Pay more attention to staying hydrated (I get horrible headaches)
22. Visit Italy (Rome or Venice!)
23. Wear classic clothes not trends
24. Water-ski
25. Hot air balloon ride
26. Donate food to food bank/homeless charity
27. See Pandas at Edinburgh Zoo
28. Visit the other countries in Great Britain 
29. Expand my cooking knowledge (I'm good at my favourites but I want to cook some "dinner party" type food.
30. Work on becoming more optimistic

So there is my list! I tried to include a good mixture of long and short term achievements,as well as ones that don't cost the Earth.I'm going to create a page with these on so that I can be reminded and write posts about them as I go.

What's on your bucket list?

    

How to // Deal with Street Harassment

via thenewagenda.net

Street harassment is unfortunately very common, and most women experience it at some point in their life (more than 80% worldwide according to stopstreetharrasment.org).Often dismissed as "just fun" or "boys being boys", it can be really intimidating and upsetting for someone to approach you or make comments in the street.It's definitely a feminist and human rights issue as it is objectifying to women and takes away our right to be outside comfortably and without fear.When men go outside alone it's fine,but when women do it they are told to "be careful".I'm going to share some tips with you on how to safely handle street harassment.

*Of course there is a big difference between compliments and street harassment.It's your call on what makes you uncomfortable.*

What is Street Harassment?

• Unwanted sexual comments
• Stalking
• Leering & groping
• Indecent exposure & public masturbation
• Catcalls (whistling and remarks etc..)

This list isn't exhaustive,but these are the most common forms.Street harassment is basically any unwanted attention that you receive that invades your personal space.It is disrespectful,unnerving and can often have a huge effect on your emotional state. 

Top tips for dealing with Street harassment

1.Your safety always comes first.Don't approach the person if you feel at risk,walk away.

If you feel you can approach the person;

2.Project confident body language.Stand tall,look the harasser in the eye and speak in a loud,clear voice.Show them that you are self assured and not scared (even if you feel uncomfortable.)

Some statements that you could use are;

"Stop doing x/y/z"
"Stop harassing women.We don't like it"
"This man is doing x/y/z" (call them out to others and make them feel embarrassed by their behaviour.)
"Doing x/y/z is wrong/disrespectful.Stop" (Let them know you will not tolerate this.)

3.Speak in a neutral yet assertive tone as that will project confidence and not antagonise the harasser.Don't swear or become angry as this could make the person respond negatively.

4.You have the power to completely ignore them if you want to.You don't have to answer their questions,and you can decide when to end the dialogue,if you want to call them out.

5.If you want to,you can report any incidences to your local Police Depot.If the harasser was in a car or had an obvious uniform on,you could take down their registration number to pass on to the Police, and/or report them to their employer.


I hope this has helped you feel more confident in dealing with uncomfortable situations,and remember your safety and well being always comes first! Only do what you feel comfortable with,and of course there is no right or wrong way to respond.I know it can be frustrating but by reacting appropriately,we can make sure that they get the message and that we remain safe.

Have you ever encountered street harassment? Do you have any tips?

Job hunting //How to improve your job search today

Searching through the newspaper and scouring the internet over and over again becomes second nature when you're job hunting.I'm currently in this situation and it can really give your confidence a knock,but I've been having more success recently (with some interviews on the way!).The little things can really help, so I've put together some tips that I've found have really been keeping the momentum going.

1. Don't be hard on yourself

This has been a big hurdle for me as I had to leave my job to recover from my Eating Disorder.However, whatever reason you don't have a job,please don't be hard on yourself.I know that in today's society people can often judge you on your profession,but they don't know you or your situation.You're trying to better yourself and that's great.

2.Use your resources

Networking can create great job opportunities.Talking to former colleagues or friends and family who might know of vacancies available can often result in you hearing something.How often have you heard "So and so said they were hiring at the...".Keep your wits about you and you don't know what will come up.

3. Get your C.V and covering letter checked over

The Job Centre offers work groups who will go through your CV and covering letter with you, to see where you could make improvements.They can often arrange work experience and work together with you and potential employers to secure work.I would definitely recommend these,they treat you with respect and offer you resources that you might not have realise existed.

4.Don't take rejection personally

It's easy to think there is something wrong with you when you keep getting knocked back.Accept that this is part of the process and focus on the positives you have achieved.I have found that emailing the employer requesting feedback can be really helpful in finding out how to improve your approach.

5.Be informed

Companies like to hire employees who know about the organisation and their values.Taking time to make some notes about the company and their background is very beneficial in creating a positive impression and good communication.

Reasources

Job search websites
http://www.indeed.co.uk/
http://www.reed.co.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch

CV & cover letter help

Free CV templates & advice
How to write a successful CV
Cover letter samples & writing advice

I hope this help people who are in the same situation as me to not feel so alone! Just like everything, job searching can taking a little time,but with hard work we will get results.

What tips do you have for job hunters?

How to take care of your inner child

I think the date of this picture is a bit inaccurate,I would have been the world's smallest 7 year old! I think I was about 2 years old,I'm not sure if people can remember back that far (including me),but most people have such fond memories of their childhood.As we grow up,I think we tend to forget the little things that bring us joy.We face difficulties and situations that we are so often oblivious to as children.Adults can over think things,letting the worries of the world rest on their shoulders.I've come up with some tips to help bring us back to those simpler times!

Colour outside the lines

I don't mean just with colouring in either! Children aren't afraid to get things wrong.Try a create something,maybe a sculpture or a lovely cake,if it isn't perfect,does it matter? Remember when you were a child and you make something for someone,and you would be so proud! Bring back that feeling with some creativity.

Take a nap

Obviously only do this one if you can! I don't think the boss would appreciate it.When you have some spare time,get your comfiest blankets and cushions out and have a rest.Not only is this a great way for your body to recharge,studies have shown that they actually increase alertness and make you feel good!

Find joy in the smallest things

Remember watching the raindrops on the window,and seeing which one won the race to the bottom? How about when you would put on your wellies and splash in the puddles? To children,everything is a chance to learn and experience.Do something you love.Go and play with your animals or just doodle in a notebook.It may seem frivolous,but doing these little things can really help you let off steam and see the bigger picture.

Go outside

As a child,the outside was amazing! It could be whatever you wanted it to be,and you could run around for hours,never tiring of energy.Getting outside and reconnecting with the world around you,whether going for a run or just sitting in a park,is a great way to blow out the cobwebs and feel refreshed.

Of course,we all have to return back to adulthood.However,it's a good idea to take the memories and experiences you had as a child, to help you to become a more carefree and happier person!

What do you like to do to take care of your inner child?

Follow me around Exeter!

Today has been a successful day.There was no rain,and Exeter was blissfully quiet.Not to say I don't like crowds,I just like being able to move without being run over by 3 prams and an elderly man.I don't normally go to Exeter,I've always gone to Plymouth,but I fancied a change.People are always telling me how swanky and pretty it is,and I haven't been in years.We got the Park & Ride,which I would recommend as a great way to save money (you park for free and then pay a small bus fare which goes right to the City Centre.)

By the time we got there it was about lunchtime,searching around we saw lots of restaurants like Strada,Carluccios and Ask Italian,but it can get pretty expensive in there.Instead,we decided to head down to Debenhams to their cafe (which is great because I can smell the perfumes on the way!)

I had a Chicken Kebab flatbread which was surprisingly nice.The only experience of kebabs are normally have are of the late night kind! It was also a really reasonable price (£4.99) so I had more money to go shopping! After a sit down admiring the views,I thought I'd go for a wander and take some photos.

If you love history,Exeter is a great place to visit.It has a lot of ruins and old architecture to admire.This used to be an almhouse (a house for the poor) which I believe was built in 1458.It got bombed in 1942 during the war,but It really made me think about what might have happened here.It looks so bleak and ravaged now,but I'm sure it was bustling at one point.

I couldn't leave Exeter without taking a photo of the Cathedral.The carvings are so ornate and beautiful,the size of it really makes you feel small! I thought about going inside but you have to pay £6 per adult which seems quite expensive.Nevertheless,it's a pretty place to visit.Lots of people sit on the green next to it and have picnics in the summer.

This chap caught my eye as I thought he had a look of springtime about him.The flowers add a beautiful pop of colour to an statue I wouldn't normally look at twice.Apparently he was called Richard Hooker,and he was an important priest and theologian in the 16th century,the more you know!

I did actually manage to pick up some bits and bobs,although Primark can always be a bit hit and miss.I didn't spend too much either,which is a bonus! I always go in wanting a specific thing,and then leave with 2 things,none of which I actually went in to get,never mind.I'm going to do a haul tomorrow and show you all of my lovely purchases.

Where do you go when you want to take pretty photos?