lifeofablonde.co.uk!

Hello everyone so this is just a quick post to tell you some exciting news about my blog!

**THIS IS MY LAST EVER POST ON THIS PLATFORM YOU CAN NOW FIND ALL MY POSTS ON MY NEW WEBSITE INCLUDING ALL OLD CONTENT**

I have worked with Missfluencer a blog design company and I now have my very own website for my blog- you can find it by searching lifeofablonde.co.uk into the top search bar!

I already like having a self hosted website a lot more than Blogger and I would definitely recommend it to anyone thinking of changing over.

Although I have kept some of the same features of my old blog (this one) there are now more features and my page is more interactive in general.

It includes my brand new blog header by Alohalola cards, she is so talented and I'd 100% recommend her to anyone wanting illustrations or blog headers done! Find her on twitter HERE 

I feel like there's so much more to see on this new layout compared to my 'old layout' so I really hope you guys like it as much as I do!

I hope you enjoy my new website and I will see you soon with some exciting new posts including my first ever collab!

Let me explain...

Hello everyone I hope you’re all doing well…

So lets face it, for a while now I’ve been doing less and less on my blog and I’ve noticed that I’ve started falling out of love with it- I don’t have the same enthusiasm for it anymore and I’m just not as happy with the content as I would like to be!

I barely have an excuse for not posting on my blog, but all I can say is I have been juggling lots of different things at once at the moment and sometimes I struggle to manage my time and have a good balance. instead I become overwhelmed and then I end up avoiding the things that I was meant to do.

So what am I going to do about this?

I’m going to start posting on my blog every week or even more if I can as I feel like this will help me to get back into a routine with my blogging.

I’m also going to start planing my posts and putting more time and effort into them, I will only post them if I am completely happy with them. 

I want to post more of my own photography and pictures, I use to do this all the time however I have found myself doing it less and less recently, I feel like posting my own photography in my posts makes it more personal and readable.

Finally I want to concentrate on growing my readers by interacting with more bloggers on social media- I am already in a few blogger groups and I want to start being more active in them!

I hope you guys are still around and ready for lots of new posts as I sure am! 

Writing blog posts use to be an escape and a way of expressing myself but unfortunately over time it became a chore..I thought I would explain this to you guys and just let you know that I am honestly going to change this.

Today I have just had a chilled day tidying my room, relaxing in the bath and chilling with chad, including going on a nice walk (we love walks) 

Here's a few photo's of my tidy room! As tidy as it gets with all my stuff in it!

That's all for now and I will 100% be back with another post soon!

It's okay to feel lost...

This is just one of those blog posts that I happen to be writing at a time when I've been off work ill and I've just had a horrible argument with my mum, I found no comfort from my phone so I have turned to writing a good old heart felt blog post.

**BE WARNED THIS MAY BE LONG & CHATTY* I WILL ADD PHOTO'S TO MAKE IT MORE INTERESTING!

When I left school and started my apprenticeship I guess I just naively assumed that I would finish my apprenticeship, find a job within the council and enjoy it for at least a good few years! Wrong.

Don't get me wrong there are some great parts of my apprenticeship: I've gained so much great experience, people skills and great knowledge and I'm sure I will continue to do so throughout the next 6 months... But, of course there's a but, I have recently found myself in a huge blur when it comes to work: I get up in the mornings, get my bus, walk to work, work in between watching the time pass, sometimes slowly and sometimes not, I finish work and then I look forward to getting to the gym so I can sooth my brain from hours of sitting in an office...

That's my problem, I thought an office job could be for me- answering phones, sending emails, doing paperwork (lots of it) and the list goes on.. but I now feel as though I'm thinking of the office as a prison that I want to escape, a luxurious prison with a kettle, a fridge and comfy chairs but that's besides the point! My creative side isn't quite being fulfilled in the way I want it to be and that is what's making me feel lost.

Although I may now have a plan (I'm not going to share it with you just yet)  I still feel slightly apprehensive of what the future holds for me, the unknown and of simply not knowing what I will be doing in 6 months time- but I guess that's the beauty of life; it's like a story book, things can change so drastically in one chapter from the next and I guess what I'm trying to say is it's okay to feel lost, to be scared about the future and to be reluctant to taking a leap of faith!

Out of all the great things that have come from my apprenticeship, The best thing is the direction it has given me, by direction I mean how it has made it clear that I don't currently want to have an office job and instead I want to do something that allows me to be creative, on my feet and something that allows me to experience a variety of different surroundings!

Soon I am starting a lovely little weekend job in a photography studio called Tiny Feet Photography (you should have a look it's amazing!) as an assistant and I cannot wait to work in such a creative and colourful studio- engaging with lots of different people and families! I really am excited to have the amazing opportunity to have an insight to another career, one of which I am very interested in and even better It's something completely different to what I've been doing and its definitely not office based!

My advice to myself and anyone else who's feeling lost or unsure of what they want to do is: 

• Don't be afraid to take opportunities- What have you got to lose?
•  Do/aim for something that makes you happy and that you enjoy
• If you are always time watching or wishing time away then you should reassess what you're doing! 
• Remember- You don't need to have your whole life planned out, sometimes the unexpected things are the best! 

I will keep you all updated on my new weekend job, how I'm feeling about the future and also my current apprenticeship!

This has turned out to be a long stream of thoughts but I guess thats what a blog is all about! Hopefully my next post is a little more interesting and a little easier to follow- but for now Goodbye x

WHAT A YEAR!

I can't quite get my head around the fact that the last day of 2016 has been and gone, how crazy!?

When I think of 2016 as a year my brain seems to conjure up a complete blur of things, experiences and emotions that have taken place throughout the year.

 For me this all comes across as such a blur as 2016 feels like several years have passed rather than just one- simply because of how significantly my day to day life has changed:  how I have developed and changed as a person, how my surroundings have dramatically changed and also how I occupy my spare time differently, I've also visited and explored so many different places over the last year which I have absolutely loved and it just makes me want to travel more!

The biggest change

Obviously It is completely normal and part of life to experience changes throughout a year, however this year really has tested me and pushed me right out of my comfort zone and I am so grateful for it!

I would say the biggest change that I have gone through in 2016 was leaving school and practically entering the working world by starting an apprenticeship at the council! When I started considering my post 16 options in year 11 I did not imagine that I would be sat at my own desk, in a fully functioning office, with a job to do -as staying at school was my plan.

Trusting my gut and taking a leap of faith was definitely a giant step forward for me at this time as throughout year 11 I definitely struggled with anxiety and self confidence... but little did I know that I would develop so much through doing the apprenticeship!

 Yes this was me on my first day of my apprenticeship- why so serious? haha

Some of the adventures

In 2016 I visited quite a few new places:

Camber/Hastings 

This holiday sticks vibrantly in my mind as it was in the middle of when I was revising for my exams, I took my revision and did a little bit each day however I definitely allowed myself t relax and did lots of photography!

Volendam/Holland

I honestly had no idea what to expect from this holiday as I had never been to Holland or anywhere like it. I loved this holiday and everything about Holland but in particular Volendam- I feel like I could easily have stayed there- I love their ways of life; almost everyone travels by bikes, everyone was so friendly and also the town is so calm and beautiful- full of colour, lots of boats and happiness!

If you want to see more of my Volendam/Holland holiday then go over to my youtube channel as I daily vlogged whilst I was there, I'll link it HERE

Majorca!

Unfortunately when I was in Majorca I didn't take a lot of photos or vlog (I did one vlog I'll link it HERE) but although I didn't really document this holiday it was a really nice holiday- the weather was insane and the place we stayed in was beautiful! We went to some beautiful beaches, jumped of some big rocks and went to an awesome waterpark! I would definitely like to go back!

Camp de Marr was definitely my favourite place in Majorca and it has a lovely restaurant there!

Blackpool 

Most recently I went to blackpool for the first time, with my dad, Shona, Morgan and Liam! We went for a long weekend which gave us enough time to see some of the main attraction there: including Blackpool tower, the illuminations and a visit to Blackpool dungeons. I managed to vlog this holiday and I will link it HERE for you! I would definitely recommend Blackpool for a fun weekend away!

My firsts!

There have been a few firsts in 2016: 

Mine and Chad's first ever concert! Yes it took us that long to go to one, but typically they're really expensive or really far away etc. so when I saw that Jack Garratt was performing at the Engine Shed I had to get tickets! Not only did we get to go but we were literally right at the front! Me and Chad both love Jack's music and the atmosphere was insane. HERE is the vlog with the concert in.

Starting the gym! I use to be so scared of the thought of starting a gym- I thought everyone would look at me and that I wouldn't know what to do... I was so wrong and I should have started before. Me and Chad now go to the gym about 4 times a week and we love it, it helps me physically and also to wind down mentally. 

Starting youtube!

I was so skeptical about starting youtube at first, but when I trialled it out when I was in Holland- I absolutely loved it! It has definitely become one of my hobbies and It allows me to use some of my creative side. Since starting youtube I have 100% gained more confidence and discovered my love for film making/ being behind and in front of a camera. I was so surprised to reach 100 subscribers, the support means a lot! If you haven't had a look already then I will link my youtube channel HERE

I could go on and on about 2016 and the good and bad parts of it- but I don't want to make this post any longer so I will leave that for another day! I hope each and every one of you has a happy and prosperous 2017, make it a good one.  

Christmas is coming!

Where are the days, weeks and months going? 2016 has literally flown by and I can't believe how close Christmas is! The fact that I have a Christmas jumper on shows how close christmas is..

I am extra excited for this Christmas as I get to spend it with all my family and the people I love, also I have actually had enough money to buy everyone presents this year and I can't wait to watch people open them! Even more exciting though- I am doing Vlogmas this year for the first time and I cannot wait at all- I will be Vlogging things such as the Christmas Market and also Ice skating at Nottingham's Winter Wonderland, as well as everyday, Christmassy kind of things in December!

I also have some Christmas collabs going up with one of my good friends, but I won't give too much away as you'll have to go and watch them yourselves.

I have a Christmassy makeup look going up on my channel soon so keep your eyes out for that- I am wearing my new Christmas jumper in it!!

I just though I'd keep you updated on what I'll be doing over Christmas as I am SO excited! Keep up to date with my blog and youtube channel which I'll link here: life of a Blonde 

Thank you for all of your continued support with my blog and youtube channel it means a lot!

It's all so exciting!

Hello, so as I always say I sometimes find it hard to find the time to just sit and write down my feelings, what I've been up to and what I've been loving- but here I am, on Halloween, on my own writing my blog haha, anyway...

I have SO much to look forward to this month and then of course it will be CHRISTMAS, I said it and I'm not sorry one bit, I'm getting to the point where I am allowing myself to become excited for it as lets face it the run up to Christmas is always more exciting than the actual day, In my opinion anyway. 

I am hoping this working week will fly by as this weekend I am going to Blackpool with my dad, his girlfriend Shona, Morgan and Liam. We're going to see the Blackpool Illuminations and Fire works and I'm so excited if you can't already tell, I am going to be vlogging it all for you on my youtube channel LifeofaBlonde and taking lots of pictures which I can then use to spam my Instagram with, sorry. I have had a look at the website for it and it looks so vibrant and like it has such an amazing atmosphere, I just can't wait- of course I'm a little gutted that I'm missing the Lincolnshire show grounds fire work show as it's one I like to go to every year, but I'm all up for new things and the Illuminations look great!

Then on the 18th of November me and Rhiannon are going to see Jack Garratt at the Engine shed which I am SO exited for, here is where I admit that this will be my first ever concert, I will try and vlog this too as I think it will be such a good night!

Then of course it will be getting to the time where Christmas be sneaking up on us, which means it will be time for our annual tradition of going to Nottingham's Christmas fair which throughout December- is home to such an amazing ice rink, which me and Chad love to go round together (cute I know) finished with some late night Christmas shopping and a hot chocolate! This leads me on to the final bit of exciting news I have to share with you...

As this year I have my own youtube channel (go check it out!) I will be joining in with something that many other youtubers love to do throughout December- VLOGMAS! I am so excited to do this and I will be doing and vlogging many Christmassy things for you, and don't worry I'll sneak a few blog posts in there too, for those of you who like a good read. 

Of course the most exciting thing is that Shortly before Christmas Chad will have turned 17 and that means.. driving lessons! I am so excited for this because me and chad always want to go and do cool things together but we never can as getting lifts always seems to be an issue, so we can finally go on little adventures and have a bit more freedom- yay! 

So with all those things in mind that I have to look forward too I will stop expressing my excitement in this blogpost and... oh my god an advert for 'I'm a Celebrity just came on' EXCITED isn't even the word, anyway, before I use the 'e' word once more I will end this post!

Autumn/Winter Beauty Essentials

<a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/14522419/?claim=a7kmycheqfh">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a>

As the weather gets colder we need to take extra care of our skin, hair and lips as everything becomes dryer and in need of extra moisture, so i thought i would put together some products that i typically use in the colder months to keep my skin, hair and lips looking healthy!

First on my list is a body lotion/butter, this is used all year round however it is an essential when it comes to winter as we sometimes forget about our skin in the colder months as we tend to be wrapping up more efficiently and our skin becomes duller and dryer. 

I have been using a loving a Baylis and Harding body butter enriched with vitamins b and c ensuring that my skin stays bright, firm and healthy. I love the overall feel and result of his product as well as the smell,mandarin and grapefruit. 

also highly recommend the soap and glory body butter as it has such a nice consistency and is absorbed quickly!

My next essential is a lip balm, having dry, chapped lips is almost unavoidable in the colder months however using a lip balm regularly really can give your lips thr boost of moisture that they need.

Burts Bees lip balm is my holy grail when it comes to winter! It really is a good product as it is made of bees wax, moisture rich vitamins and other natural ingredients such as Acaf berry. Bees wax helps seal moisture into your lips and keeps your skin conditioned. I really recommend Burts Bees products as they stand out from all the other products! 

Before applying lip balm a lip scrub really helps to soften and plump your lips, I use this sugar based scrub from lush, it works a treat and the best part is you can just lick your lips afterwards!

 

 

Another of my winter must haves is a refreshing/setting mist from the body shop, this is a very versitile product as it can be used to initially set your makeup or just for a refresher, I love this throughout all the months however it's great to give our skin a moisture boost in the colder seasons as our skin can become dry and no longer has the glowy sun kissed look! Vitamin E is very important for tissue repair and moisturising our skin.

In winter our hands are prone to becoming dry and in need of some tlc so a hand cream is a must have, I can recommend several hand creams, firstly the almond hand and nail cream from the body shop, this is amazing for softening your hands and cuticles it is a really nice consistency and also a very distinctive but nice scent. 

If you are looking more of a high end hand cream then I recommend the lemon and coconut hand cream made by the jojoba company, enhanced with jojoba oils this hand cream really does make a noticeable difference to your hands and nails however is a little bit more pricey at £15!

The hand cream I am using at the moment is one that I picked up in tescos, it's the vanilla swirl cupcake hand cream by the brand happiness, firstly I love the cupcake scent of this, although this isn't quite as good as others I have tried I do like this product and will proceed to use it .

To finish I couldn't resist to mention this product again, it's the Aveda damage remedy leave in conditioner, I find that when the harsher weather comes along my hair can become a bit more brittle and dry and therefore this product is a perfect autumn/winter essential, I use a tiny bit through the lengths of my hair every other day, usually in between washes. At £7 for a 25ml bottle there are much cheaper leave in products however if you want the amazing results of this product I would say go for it! 

Also I would highly recommend that you give the R&B hair mask a go (from lush) as it made such a difference to my hair condition and also helped promote my hair growth! 

That's all for today- Lauryn x

Some of my autumn/winter favourites this week

Tonight i decided to pick out a few of my autumn/winter fashion favourites to share with you, The colder months have to be my favourite for fashion as the shops consist of beautiful Aztec patterns, the warm orange/red tones and not forgetting the comfy winter boots, i have not hesitated to update and add to my wardrobe over the last few weeks however i will shortly do a try on favourites with more of my winter wardrobe additions!


Firstly a couple of weeks ago i purchased these lovely wool lined ankle boots, they instantly caught my eye as they are so wintery and i love the unique shade of brown that they are. They were £42 which i thought was fairly reasonable considering they are from Topshop and an amazing quality. They are so comfortable and i would definitely recommend them! I pair them with anything from high wasted jeans to skater skirts, they complete every winter outfit.

My next favourite has to be this turtle neck top in my favourite seasonal colour-Rust, this orange toned top goes perfectly with my cord A-line skirt and also compliments my favourite ripped jeans. This colour has dominated all the high street shops and really is hard to avoid. It brightens up any plain outfit and really does make a statement whilst being minimalistic. I got this from boohoo.com at a bargain price of £10!

This next favourite is significantly different as I didn't purchase it from a shop and it is unique, when my grandma passed away I had a look through her wardrobe and I was delighted when I found this beautiful, intricately detailed Aztec cardigan, it is perfect for making an outfit more prominent and also for layering! It is made out of wool so I have to wear it over other layers as it can be slightly irritable but I really love this original item. You can find cardigans like this in high street stores!

The clasps on this really are beautiful.

And finally, although this isn't a new addition to my wardrobe I have been loving this brown, faux leather satchel bag this season, I have found that it accessories plenty of my autumnal looks and it is a perfect everyday size as well.

Despite the fact that I have loads of other favorites to share with you I have decided to put that into an additional blog, so that's all for today.

Lauryn x