A little bit of a hidden gem in Derbyshire's crown, Matlock Bath is a village near the town of Matlock in the Derbyshire Dales.
Oooh, it's been a while, hasn't it? I do have a good excuse for being lax in the blogging department. Honest. Read on to find out more.
I'm back off to Uni this September, (did I mention that?!) so I thought I'd give myself a bit of a challenge: I'm going to set myself some goals to complete over the next month or so!
Buy my own bodyweight in stationery.
Because a girl can never have too many pretty notepads and pens.Spend valuable time with friends & family.
I'm going to be totally rushed off my feet soon, aren't I? So, I've realised that I need to spend quality time with family and good friends before I'm a student once again.Enjoy the summer as much as possible.
I'm awful for just concentrating on worries and not appreciating good weather, (rapidly shortening) long nights, and halcyon days like I should. It changes now.Embrace my inner bookworm.
There's a huge pile of books in my room that need reading before I end up waist-high in books solely about news. (FUN!)Go to the seaside!
It's been years since I upped and went to the seaside. I was supposed to visit Skegness a few weeks ago, but unfortunately, it was the day when all that trouble kicked off, so we never got to go! (All because we were hiding at home waiting for the police.) Here's hoping we make it soon!Continue learning new skills.
Wow, I'm boring, aren't I? Why sit back and enjoy the summer when you can get stuck in and learn stuff?Learn more recipes.
I'm such an incompetent adult in a culinary respect. It'd be great to actually learn how to make a few staple dishes & maybe even write about them on here too!Make more YouTube videos!
I've made a few new YouTube videos recently, which I've throughly enjoyed. So, before I become a student again, it'd be good to make more! (Incidentally, what would you like me to make? Let me know in the comments below!)
Be a better blogger.
I definitely haven't been the best of bloggers lately, so I'm going to try and knuckle down and get KW in order. I've tried to be as upfront and honest as possible about the reasons why I've struggled to publish posts consistently, and voiced my worries about producing quality content that I'm happy with on a regular basis.It'd also be great to implement some kind of schedule that works both for myself and you lovely readers! (Mainly because I'm acutely aware of how shabby this current 'only-post-when-you-have-something-to-say' schedule is.)
What are your goals for the summer?
Is it nearly that time of year ALREADY? A-Level results day has been and gone, and now it's almost time for the academic year to start. It's three years since I finished Uni now, but I'm about to start a Masters! So, here are my top 5 tips for those of you who are starting Uni!
Enjoy it! (Because it'll be over before you know it!)
Those three years will fly by, trust me. So, have fun! And knuckle down and get a good degree too, obviously...
Being a student isn't all about hard work, it's time to enjoy early adulthood, before you're back down to earth with a bump as a graduate. In all honesty, I don't really think anything prepares you for the shock of leaving Uni for the 'real world'. So, enjoy your time as a student!
Get the work/life balance sorted.
During my third year of Uni, I was pretty close to burning out all the time. By the time I left, I was physically and emotionally exhausted. Don't make that mistake. Make sure that you leave time for socialising and having fun, because it'll make the hard work so much easier to contend with!
I really can't stress enough how important it is to look after yourself. Make sure you eat properly, sleep as well as you can, and don't drink too much. (And that's my cue to move on, as I probably sound like your Mum.)
Make sure you're doing the right course.
Now, that might sound like a really stupid point, but there are several people I went to Uni with who ended up swapping courses along the way. Sometimes, that means that you'll end up with a bigger loan hanging over you. So, it pays to make sure that you're doing what you'll enjoy, and what'll get you decent career prospects too.
You definitely don't want to make the mistake that I did the first time round, by picking a course that won't get you a proper PAID job. Make sure that you get plenty of experience relating to your post-uni career of choice too, while you're still a student, because that'll really help your job prospects.
Grab as many opportunities as you can, seek them out yourself, because they're not going to just come to you.
You definitely don't want to make the mistake that I did the first time round, by picking a course that won't get you a proper PAID job. Make sure that you get plenty of experience relating to your post-uni career of choice too, while you're still a student, because that'll really help your job prospects.
Grab as many opportunities as you can, seek them out yourself, because they're not going to just come to you.
Spend your first year settling in & getting used to things.
I don't know if all Unis are the same as the one that I went to in this respect, but my first year didn't count at all towards my final degree classification. So, that meant that I could spend the first year finding my feet and getting to grips with university life. (And Harvard Referencing, because it's surprisingly hard... Especially if you're rushing it hours before your deadline.)
This also helped us to get used to the University system: the grading, the coursework submission, and all of the other student-y admin stuff. That doesn't mean to say that you don't need to try very hard, but it's a lovely not to have the extra pressure of worrying about your final classification piled on.
Keep organised.
Nothing will help you through Uni more than getting organised. (Except intelligence, perhaps.) Seriously, honing your time management skills and devising some sort of helpful schedule will keep you sane! You probably don't need telling that you'll need to keep track of deadlines, exams, and lectures/tutorials/seminars, so treat yourself to an academic diary. (Because everybody likes buying new stationery!)
And if you're on a budget? Use a handy free calendar app like iCal or Sunrise Calendar instead!
KatieAnd if you're on a budget? Use a handy free calendar app like iCal or Sunrise Calendar instead!
Are you headed to Uni? Let me know in the comments if you've got any questions or advice!
x
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Tomorrow, I turn 24. Here are some lessons I've learned whilst being 23:
Trust your instincts. Initially, if you believe that someone's an idiot, in all probability: You're right. You know that feeling in your gut? Trust it.
Adulthood is hard. Responsibility? Bleugh.
Don't let others make you bitter. Good people keep their heads held high no matter what other people do.
The world is absolutely BRIMMING with idiots. But there's little you can do about it. The key to getting around it? Do stuff that helps you rediscover the beauty in life.
Time flies. Even if you're not having fun.
Start looking after yourself. Now's the time to learn how to stay healthy, before it's too late.
It's your responsibility to better yourself. No-one else is going to grab opportunities for you. BUT, it's okay not to know what you're doing and what you want from life yet.
Hobbies are fun! The more you have, the better!
It's okay to be selfish. Sometimes. Sometimes you really need to protect yourself and put yourself first.
Ignore the haters. Life's too short to get dragged down in petty arguments. Don't bother getting angry at people you're never going to see eye-to-eye with.
Procrastination is awful. Seriously, the things I could've got done instead of incessantly scrolling through Instagram looking at photos of cats with moustaches.
Nobody's life is perfect. It's so easy to believe that other people live the perfect life because of Instagram or their incessant Facebook bragging. (But perhaps they're making up for something they're missing in life.)
No-one knows what they're doing. You know when you're a kid and you think adults know everything? They don't. We're all just endlessly meandering through life trying to avoid messing up.
Money doesn't go far. And that makes me really sad.
Being a geek isn't bad. When I was at school I was a hardcore square, which was a very bad thing. Now, knowing stuff is good. Don't ever let anyone take the mick because you want to learn new and exciting stuff!
You can't help some people. Learn to stop bending over backwards for people who don't even appreciate it.
23 isn't as old as it once sounded. It's not that bad, or that old. That doesn't mean I'm looking forward to being 24 though...
Appreciate those close to you. It's not 'uncool' to be close to your family or friends. Make time for them, because there may be a time that they're not there anymore.
Learn when to stop. I'm terrible for putting loads of pressure on myself to achieve unattainable things, and it's been hard trying to force myself to take a break from striving for the best. But, every now and again, it'll do you good.
Rejection. It never gets any easier. And that goes for any type of rejection.
People aren't a commodity. It really isn't nice being used. Don't do it to others unless you're willing to be used yourself.
Don't lie to yourself. If you're not happy, don't try and pretend you are, even to yourself. It doesn't work and it makes you so much unhappier in the long run not to admit the truth to yourself.
Life isn't a race. Oh, this has been such a hard lesson for me to take on board. Life definitely isn't a race: It's not about who can get the best job, who can buy a house first, who's the first to get married and have kids. It's not about that. People progress through life at different rates, and that variety is what makes life all the more beautiful.
Don't lie to yourself. If you're not happy, don't try and pretend you are, even to yourself. It doesn't work and it makes you so much unhappier in the long run not to admit the truth to yourself.
Life isn't a race. Oh, this has been such a hard lesson for me to take on board. Life definitely isn't a race: It's not about who can get the best job, who can buy a house first, who's the first to get married and have kids. It's not about that. People progress through life at different rates, and that variety is what makes life all the more beautiful.
Hope you lovely readers can relate to some of the above! Here's to more incessant rambling as a 24 year old!
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
I've decided to take a week off blogging. I'm incredibly busy this week, and at the weekend, I'm doing the Race for Life 10K (Eeeeeeee!) So, if I add blogging into the equation too, it's making me a little stressed out. I've not exactly kept it a secret that I've been feeling a little overwhelmed, blogging-wise, of late.
Back in the day, when I was in sixth form, I had a part-time job at a local supermarket. Pretty standard, right? Except, I genuinely hated it. I only worked there for six and a half months because it made me so miserable. I spent eight and a half hours each week serving customers at peak times, most of the time on the tills.
Why did I hate it so much? Rude customers. A supervisor who HATED me with a passion for no apparent reason. (To be fair, she hated most of the other women, but was all over the men and teenage boys.) Managers who expected me to make a part-time job my main priority instead of my A-Level exams. Oh, and getting paid less than £5 an hour.
June's been a bit of a hectic month. I've had so many opportunities to give my lovely new lens a try though, which I've relished! I've spent FAR too much money, and I've been working on some new opportunities which I'll go into detail about as soon as I can!
Ahh, the wonderful British summer. One week we're getting drenched by torrential downpours, the next we're in the midst of an unbearably muggy heatwave. In a vain bid to help you lovely readers to cope, I've compiled a list of some tips to deal with the hot weather:
1.) Don't Overdo It
It's lovely to get out and about to enjoy the sunshine, but don't do anything too strenuous. I'm talking about really exerting yourself here. The last thing you want is to end up keeling over.
Also, make sure you wear plenty of sun cream! You definitely don't want to do irreparable damage to your skin.
Also, make sure you wear plenty of sun cream! You definitely don't want to do irreparable damage to your skin.
2.) Don't Cake Makeup On
Do you get the dreaded red-face thing too? I know it's so tempting to plaster loads of foundation, concealer and powder over it, but your makeup isn't going to have the same level of staying power as it usually does. So, give your skin some space to breathe. It'll thank you for it!
3.) Swap Powder for Blotting Papers
I normally use powder daily to get rid of shine, but always carry blotting papers in my bag just in case the shininess strikes later on. It's better for your skin to get rid of the excess oil and sweat by using blotting papers, instead of caking more powder over the top and blocking your pores up.
4.) Drink, Drink, Drink
I'm sure I don't need to tell you this, do I? It's essential to keep your body properly hydrated during hotter weather, as you're losing fluids through sweat. (Lovely!)
If you're out and about, make sure you keep a bottle of water nearby. Even if you're not that thirsty, make sure you keep on sipping away at regular intervals.
5.) Enjoy It (While It Lasts!)
Yeah, I don't really need to tell you this either, do I? In Britain, lovely weather like this doesn't last for long. So, make the most of it while you can! And if you're not a fan of the heat, you're safe in the knowledge that you won't have to endure it much longer!
Did any of that help? Probably not...
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Brace yourselves: This week I bought a sewing machine! Yes, that kind of makes me sound like an old lady a little before my time, but my reasons will become clearer soon!
Even though the word 'Craft' reminds me of that Dan and Phil video, I've really enjoyed embracing my creative side a little more this year. For the past few years, the only creative things I've done are make the odd bracelet (pictured above) or embrace my love of photography. Unless this blog counts too, because that's kind of creative, right?
I can be philosophical sometimes, you know? Here are a few things I've learned this week. Don't ever say this blog isn't educational.
Not beauty. Not really lifestyle either, but I felt the need to share this little Derbyshire gem with you all.
Alport is genuinely one of my favourite places ever. It's only about 15 minutes out of town, but is staggeringly remote. Apparently, on a clear day, you can see SEVEN different counties from there!
Writer's block is a funny thing, isn't it?
Sometimes I feel like I can't stop writing because there's so much in my head that I need to write down immediately. Sometimes I just can't write at all. It's almost debilitating, because you feel like your blog needs a new post publishing now, yet you just can't find the words to say anything.
I'm a perfectionist of the highest order. There, I've said it. Sometimes when one of my blog posts doesn't do truly as well as I expected, or I lose a couple of fickle followers on Bloglovin', it hits me quite hard. I take it personally and blame myself because it just wasn't good enough. I wasn't good enough.
I always try and second guess what you lovely readers want to read, and I'm not a mind-reader, so I don't always get it right. I very nearly took a break from blogging a few weeks ago because it was all getting a bit too much for me. I can't only write about what's in my head. Doing otherwise doesn't make me happy. Basically: You can only really write about what's true to you, not what you think will please other people.
My publishing schedule has been pretty dire of late, mainly because of the dreaded writer's block. I'm not sure why it's suddenly worse, but stressing about it certainly isn't making it any better. I'm sorry to those of you who enjoy reading Katie Writes*. Please bear with me while I try and find my feet again.
*All three of you.
Blogging is tougher than it looks. It's competitive, and for someone who relentlessly compares herself to others, it's sometimes hard to stand your ground. I'm always striving to be the best I can be, and I hope you can see how far this blog has come in just eleven months.
But... there's still more to be done. I'm not finished yet.
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Okay, let's just ignore the fact that the font I chose in the first picture makes it look a bit like I've written 'Getting Tit' instead of 'Getting Fit'. Let's just totally gloss over that, right? This is a beauty and lifestyle blog, not a pickup artist site...
Anyway, exercise gives me flashbacks to awful PE lessons: wearing stupid shiny shorts that showed off my weird knock-knees, getting pelted with icy rain and being shouted at by competitive girls who couldn't accept that I wasn't as good at sport as them.
Despite the flashbacks, I thought it's probably time to get out there, get a bit fitter and maybe do something for charity at the same time. My best friend and I did an 18 mile walk for charity in 2011 and we raised nearly £500 and were both fine.* So, 6.2 miles can't be that bad right?
Ashamedly, when I got my crisp, white trainers back out of their box; they had a cobweb on them. (No, really.) That's how unfit I am right now. These lovely and (very) white trainers had been placed back in their box and shoved in a corner for ages; while I've mainly been eating cake.
I've downloaded the Nike+ Running app onto my phone (pictured), although I've been mainly using it for walking as I'm still lazy at the moment. Having said that, last night I did break into a run twice on my walk; but I was being pulled along by a Jack Russell, so I'm not sure if it still counts. Cookie and I did 1.5 miles and smashed all previous records on the app; and even received a pre-recorded congratulatory message from Paula Radcliffe. Oh yeah, friends in high places now...
To spur myself on and to give myself a lovely warm, charitable feeling, I've signed up for the Cancer Research UK Race for Life. I've got two months to get ready for it, so I don't die of 10k-induced-exhaustion. If you lovely readers have got any spare pennies, you can sponsor me here.
(I'll love you forever if you do...)
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
April was the month of tech goodies and some freebies.
It actually started to feel a little like spring; and I was lucky to witness some stunning sunsets. I ended up visiting the beautiful Darley Park in Derby for the first time, which is pretty bad considering it's only down the road. During a trip to Leicester, I received a new, unbroken iPhone, some delicious free coffee & cake from John Lewis and bought a new MAC lipstick too, just because.
To nosy at some more photos like this, follow me on Instagram.
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Pukka Three Mint Tea
If you regularly read my blog, you'll know that I'm a big fan of herbal teas. This is one I recently picked up by chance in Sainsbury's. It contains three different types of mint: Peppermint, Spearmint and field mint. One of the reasons that I was drawn to it is because the packaging is so pretty! When you open the box, there's a lovely design inside too! I'll be honest, I can't remember how much it was, but I don't think it was too pricey. It's definitely worth a try if you want a seriously minty kick to your tea!
The Little Book of Mindfulness
I've been getting quite stressed of late, and this book is great for making me take stock and realise that things aren't quite as bad as they might seem. It's packed full of poignant quotes; as well as breathing and cognitive exercises to help you to be a little more mindful. (Yes, it's technically a self-help book, but let's not get too bogged down in all that...)
It's a really lovely book to read before bed, as I find that it helps to calm my mind down a little and helps me to wind down more easily. You can buy it for a mere £4.79 from Amazon by clicking here.
It's a really lovely book to read before bed, as I find that it helps to calm my mind down a little and helps me to wind down more easily. You can buy it for a mere £4.79 from Amazon by clicking here.
Mango Handbag
My mum very kindly bought me the handbag that I've been eyeing up on ASOS for quite a while. It was supposed to be £24.99, but was reduced to £14.99 and then £10.50! Look how pretty it is!
Google Chromebook
I know I've already mentioned this here, but I'm really happy with my new Google Chromebook from Acer! The startup is immensely fast and, handily, everything is saved onto Google Drive, so that you can access your documents and photos really easily from any other device.
The size is perfect. It could easily fit in some of my bigger handbags, so makes travelling and working away quite easy. The best thing, however, is that it cost less than £200!
Fliqlo
This is a flip clock background that I've downloaded onto my Mac. I've seen quite a few YouTubers with these in the background of their videos. After a bit of searching, I discovered that the one they use is a free background called Fliqlo. You can also download it for Windows too!
You can download it (for free!) from the website by clicking here.
Father Ted
It's the 20th anniversary of the Irish comedy this April and More4 were showing back-to-back episodes, followed by the documentary Small, Far Away. I have to admit that it's one of my favourite comedies.
Here's a clip from probably my favourite episode of all time:
'Take this lump of sugar baby, you know you want it.'
YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)