Possibly the Worst Tuesday Ever | Journal
3 July 2016
Otley, West Yorkshire
I’ve had a lot of bad days, a lot of days that include
nothing but bad luck and zero sunshine. Last Tuesday was one of those days for
me, and it was already an incredibly strange week. When I write journal posts,
it’s usually to tell blog readers about the super weird experiences I have had
or anxiety-ridden events I have visited. But today, today was just bad luck and
hopefully it will make your day a little bit better.
First of all, I was having a bad week. Monday resulted in me
complaining to New Look after one of their delivery men made extremely
disgusting racial comments to me and my friend. And not just the casual out of
taste joke, a deliberate jab which we had to drive away from as he followed us
around. Then, on Tuesday morning my friend and I decided to go for a nice walk
as the weather was supposed to pick up. What happened? Oh well it absolutely
threw it down. Not just a little drizzle, like your average summer shower; the
heavens opened and we were drenched within 5 minutes. After warming up and attempting
to dry off in the car (which didn’t start to well, but we’ll get to that
later), we went for a coffee. Unfortunately, we were’nt able to drink anything
because the shop we visited had a broken machine (basically like every
milkshake machine and every McDonald’s) and very little to offer in the bakery.
So by 12pm, we were cold, wet and starving.
After heading back to the car, we got in, my friend turned
the key which resulted in… nothing. Nothing. The car, a Toyota Aygo, would not
turn on or make a single noise. The battery worked, as the lights, wipers and
radio worked, but the engine made no noise, no matter how hard you turned the
key. My friend called her cousin, who took half an hour to reach us and tried
to bump start the car. After pushing the little silver vehicle down the road
with no success, we drove in his car, to his mother’s house (bear in mind I had
never met my friend’s cousin or his mum) so he could get his jump cables from his friend’s car to restart my friend’s car. If you’re lost at this
point, don’t worry about it.
So we return to my friend’s stranded car, and try the jump
cables (it’s still raining pretty badly). With zero luck, the car doesn’t even
flicker, and we know it’s gone. A good thing to remember is that my friend is a
self-employed hairdresser and had six clients that afternoon, and I had to get to
work as soon as possible with an enormous project to finish for the trustees by
the end of the day. My friend’s cousin confirmed the reason the car isn’t
starting is because the starter motor has shut down… packed in… completely
gone. After a forty-five minute phone
conversation, breakdown agreed to pick up the car (for a ridiculous price) and
take it to a garage who could fix it. Now the only thing to solve was how I was
going to get to work and how my friend was going to travel to each of her
clients.
Her cousin amazingly planned to drop us both everywhere, but
that wouldn’t make sense so he had to drive us back to his mum’s house (still
strangers to me!) and we took his mum’s car and I was dropped at the
nearest bus station and my friend continued on to her clients. The story
doesn’t end yet! My bus was 20 minutes late, and I was still slightly damp and
certainly not dressed for the freezing weather. Once the Leeds-bound bus
arrived, it broke down fifteen minutes into the journey – in the middle of nowhere.
To make the day worse, a miniature fight broke out on the bus over the decision
to keep the windows open or closed. That’s a loud discussion I decided to stay
out of and just did the whole my-headphones-are-in-and-I’m-not-here thing to
avoid drama. Eventually, I convinced the bus driver to let me off the bus,
apparently something that’s not allowed, and I walked about an hour to work.
By almost 3pm, I got to work and at my desk (still a little
wet through) and managed to spill an entire cup of tea across the keyboard.
Once I got home, I changed right in my onsie and settled down to watch my
favourite series, Once Upon A Time, only to have the power cut out in my entire
area for the next five hours. Ugh.
So I think it’s safe to say I literally had the worst
Tuesday ever.
Nutribuddy Weight Loss Kit | First Impression
30 June 2016
Manchester, UK
I’ve spoken about my diet and weight on my blog before,
but never really gone in depth on methods I have used and things that have
worked or failed. Although I no longer go to the gym, I still work out five
times and week and try to eat as healthily as possible. Despite seeing some
results, I’m still looking for new ways to stay healthy and lose weight so I
can reach my goal. I recently received the 14 Day Weight Loss Kit* from Nutribuddy and decided to share some of my
first impressions of the kit after unboxing everything and trying a few
products out.
WHAT YOU GET
Sculpting Whey Shake
Hunger Fix tablets
Multivitamin tablets
Shaker Bottle
Little Book of Weight Loss
Recipe Book
MY FIRST IMPRESSION
The Sculpting Whey Shake is used every day and in plenty
of the shakes in the recipe book. One thing I liked is that the protein comes
with a scooper inside, so you don’t have to struggle with measurements each
time. The resealable bag is to be stored in a cool dry place, and features
plenty of protein to be used of a long period of time – I’m certain it will
last me more than two weeks with every day use. I love that the Whey Shake
comes in two flavours (I chose vanilla because yummm) and can be used with
water or milk in your daily shake. The taste is true to vanilla, but isn’t so
overbearing or grainy that it’s a struggle to swallow.
The Hunger Fix tablets are to be taken three times a day,
an hour before meals with at least one glass of water. I didn’t think these
tablets were that effective at first, but after a day or two with meals I found
that they do help me to feel fuller even if the meal isn’t that big or calorie-packed.
This is really accommodating, as I used to always struggle with proportions. If
I didn’t feel full, I would literally just snack until I did. That’s why I also
quite like the Multivitamin tablets – which are taken once a day with food. Amazingly,
I’ve seen very slight improvements in my skin which I’m sure will continue more
over the next week or so. The tablets are easy to swallow, it’s just
remembering to take them!
The Shaker Bottle comes in two colours, red and black – I
chose red. I immediately thought this was just for water, but after reading, I
realised this can be used for the Sculpting Shake, I have also used it for my
smoothies (two of my favourites I’ll be sharing soon)! The bottle is a good
size and strong enough to be carried around and washed over and over again. Inside,
there’s a spiralled metal ball which is incredibly convenient when mixing the
Sculpting Whey with water or milk. Trying it without the ball inside is a bad
idea (been there, done that), as it quickly mixes everything together with
little effort and gets rid of any chunks.
Finally, the Little Book of Weight Loss and Recipe Book
are much better than I thought they would be. I have received diet kits before,
and the books with them have either been little leaflets that provide
absolutely no information, or textbooks that are all text and technical jargon.
The Little Book of Weight Loss gives a good explanation of each product, how
they help and what they actually contain; from Whey Protein to Glucomannan. It
also has a FAQ page, and eating plan for anyone who wants to use the recipes
from the book for every meal. Speaking of recipes, the book by Nutribuddy
contains breakfast, shake, lunch, dinner and healthy treats recipes and ideas
that are all easy to make with ingredients that are easy to access. I’m so
eager to try out some of the treat ideas! There’s nothing more annoying that
trying to eat healthy but not being able to find or afford crazy exotic foods –
this book has great meal options that are filling and go well with the
products.
As mentioned before, I’ve been using the Sculpting Whey
protein every day with milk, and absolutely love it. It’s so simple! All you do
is take 30 grams (which is three scoops) of power, drop it in the bottle and
add milk or water before shaking. I’ve found that the shake is really filling,
and with the rest of the weight loss kit, I’ve been eating less already and it’s
only been a few days.
Have you ever tried any Nutribuddy products? Did you see any results?
It's Cocktail Hour
27 June 2016
Gilstead, Bingley, West Yorkshire
I love going out. Not just out, like down to the shops, but
out out. Cocktail hour can be any day of the week right? I like socialising, and drinking fruity cocktails and wandering around
with my friends. Whenever I go out out, I like to dress semi-formal, just
because it’s an opportunity to dress up and get all foo foo which doesn’t happen to me that often.
One thing I’m not too keen on, is head-pounding, sticky-floored,
yucky-bathroom nightclubs that include two hours of trying to be served and another two just waiting for the loo. I often find that I’m wiping my
feet in the way out, if you catch my
drift (they’re not clean). My favourite place to go would be Call Lane in Leeds, it's full of bars and pubs that are busy but never over the top. I also adore Angelica in the Trinity Leeds shopping centre - but's its seriously pricey!
However, when I go out out, I always think to go for my
over-the-knee black boots. No matter what time of the year, these boots work
for me because it’s always freezing
cold by midnight and they keep me warm. I bought these boots in the autumn of
last year while trying to re-invent my wardrobe and attempting to dress more
like Blake Lively (I’m still working on that one). I absolutely love these
boots because they’re so breathable! I can actually move in them! Unlike
another pair I had before, that made me feel as If I had ties two enormous
rubber bands around my knees. The great thing about this magical pair, is that
I can wear them with everything – literally everything. They spice up an outfit
a little more, and help me to turn the average ensemble from day to night.
Ever since wearing this dress to the NBN
Blogger Event last year, I’ve loved it. The pattern is super simple but
looks busier from a distance, giving an interesting dynamic to a simple dress.
The cuffed sleeves elongate arms and it also has a tie at the neckline, which
can be loosened or made tighter. I immediately thought this kind of dress is
one that you could only wear once, but I’ve worn it about thirty eighty
times and not become sick of it. Similarly, I absolutely adore my clutch from
TK Maxx, I saw it once, and haven’t seen it since. Still, I take it every time I go out out and don’t loathe
it yet.
6 Ways to Organise Your Life
23 June 2016
West Yorkshire, UK
Being completely honest, I can be a bit of a mess sometimes.
I’m weird because I love to organise and sort things out, but I’m also slightly
lazy and have a tendency to let things slip. However, with this in mind, I do
think it’s really important to organise my life as I’m now 20 years old and
responsible for myself. I have quite a few ways I like to keep myself organised,
stay on track and continue to adult
at life.
#1 Utilize Your Phone
Just about everybody has one and everybody has used one. Why
not make the most of it? There are so many simple, no-nonsense apps like Notes,
banking apps, Voice Memos, Calendar, Reminders, fitness and social media apps
that help to keep everything in check. They’re easy to use, and always there as
most people don’t go far without their phone.
#2 Declutter everything
A totally obvious tip but still helpful! A clean space
equals a clear mind and there’s no need for it to always feel like a chore. I’m
not big on cleaning myself, but with a solid playlist and comfy clothes, I can
dance around the room and enjoy it! Declutting is a lot easier when you have
friends with a second opinion too. It’s helpful to think: “Do I actually use this?” and if not, throw
it!
#3 Get a notebook
Although I use my phone a lot, I do like to go old school
and use a pen and paper. Plus, it’s a way for me to justify the amount of
notebooks I own. It doesn’t have to be a crazy expensive book, DIY-made ones or
basic refill pads work fine! I carry a
notebook around as much as possible and write everything down: thoughts,
to-do’s, lists, reminders and so on. I also make sure to note down the date and
deadlines too.
#4 Get a file folder
I started a ring binder of important documents when I received
the letter with my National Insurance number on from the HMRC. Since then,
everything goes in that folder: driving licence documents, insurance, contracts
and so on. It’s really helped me to keep everything in check and safe.
Similarly, I’ve made a folder for receipts of expensive items I need to keep
for a certain amount of time and even a folder with my work and blogging
contracts and agreements!
#5 Buy a diary or agenda
An item I love to shop for. Sadly, my diary drowned when a
water bottle leaked in my bag so I had to buy a new one, starting in the middle
of the year (ugh stresses me out knowing half of it will be empty) but I can’t
leave the house without it. I occasionally forget to put things in my phone, so
a diary is a good way to note down important events and times, as well as names
and numbers.
#6 Budget, budget, budget
Honestly, I hate budgeting. I hate any sort of task that
involves mathematics. Simple adding up it tedious to me, but I still do it
because it helps me organise my life. The great thing is, that once you’ve done
one monthly budget, the rest is easy! It’s a great method of keeping track of
direct debits, as they’re the one thing that tend to bleed my account dry.
Also, it’s helpful to budget if you want to plan ahead or open a new savings
account.
What are your life organising tips?
The Magic of the Konjac Sponge
20 June 2016
Bingley, West Yorkshire, UK
The Konjac sponge* is a multi-ward winning product made from
the Amorphophallus Konjac plant root, which is often used as a healthy food source
or for medical purposes in Asia. The plant is loaded with fibre and filled with
an enormous amount of nutrients such as vitamins A, E, D, B1, B2 and C as well
as amino acids and minerals like potassium and zinc. Kojac is naturally an
alkaline, so it helps in balancing the pH of the skin – incredibly useful in
battling acne. I’ve had the opportunity to try out the Konjac sponge, and love
it so far!
How I Used the Sponge
I have used quite a few different exfoliating sponges and
products, and the most important thing I’ve learned is that the sponge needs to
be rinsed before. I prefer to use warm water, and thoroughly rinse the sponge
to make sure it’s clean. With the Konjac sponge, fully hydrating it is the best
way to get a good use from its properties, before massaging it into the skin in
a circular motion. You can add cleanser to either the sponge or the skin, and
then focus on problem areas such as breakout spots or pores. After each cycle
of exfoliating my face, I like to rinse the sponge again and squeeze out any
dirt and excess oil it has collected. One of the great things about the sponge
is that is has a string hooked through, which doesn’t come loose or get lost,
so once I’m doing washing my face I hang the sponge to dry, usually in a room
that will dry it quickly and never somewhere wet or damp like the shower. I
learned that harshly rubbing the skin isn’t necessary either!
Why I Love the Sponge
When I received the sponge, the first thing I noticed was
how rock solid it was. My immediate thought was “How on earth is this thing
going to work on my face?” With previous products, a rocky texture can make
acne and breakouts a lot worse and leave my skin feeling like a layer has been
torn off and extremely sensitive. As soon as the sponge hit water, it started
to soften and my mind was blown. It is a lot smoother than a flannel, and more
effective than my hands. I assumed the holes in the sponge would be sharp
against my face but were also soft too. Using the sponge has helped me to keep
my breakouts under control, especially as I have recently conquered acne!
I can use the sponge with or without a cleanser or soap, and
still get that freshly massaged feeling. There’s simply nothing I hate more
than washing my face and getting that dry and tight sensation that can come
immediately after I have finished a cleanse, the Konjac sponge leaves my face
feeling renewed and clean! The bamboo charcoal in my sponge is naturally antibacterial
and antifungal, which is ideal for my skin as it can become quite oily. I was
also amazed at how the sponge returned to the original size and texture when
dry. It’s amazing for removing make up and easy to clean afterwards as water
flows through it so quickly and easily.
The price of the sponges are between £5 and 15, and have a
life span of around three months, which is a good time to be changing the
product used to clean your skin.
I would definitely recommend this product to anyone who’s
looking for a new sponge to exfoliate their skin without tearing layers away.
There’s a wide range for different skin types and well as travel kits – I used
the Bamboo
Charcoal sponge, specifically for teen, oily or spot-prone skin!
Have you ever used a Konjac sponge? Did you like
it?
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