The Dating Profile Tag

Back at it again with another old school YouTube tag, this time it’s Emma’s dating profile tag. I found writing my answers to Carrie’s TMI tag quite fun so thought I would do another one.

Enjoy!

Do you believe in love at first sight?

No, looks can be deceiving. Personally, I don’t think you can love someone you don’t know.

What do you do for fun?

I always like to have a project, something to focus my energy on, at the moment it is writing these posts and organising Christmas presents!

Do you want/do you have any children?

I am happily childless, but one day having a family will be greatly welcomed. 

What are you looking for in a relationship?

I’m not looking for a relationship, however when one comes along I want a best friend and someone that I can laugh and have fun with.

What is the one thing about yourself that you would want someone to know?

I am incredibly stubborn! So stubborn, if I say I am going to do something, I am going to do it.

If you won the lottery, how would you spend your millions?

I would first make sure that my family is comfortable, happy and finically supported and then would spend the rest travelling the world and doing positive things for others.

Who was your first crush?

I honestly don’t remember, I don’t even remember who my first celebrity crush is, whoops!

You’ve got six months to live, what would you do first?

I would write letters to all the most important people in my life. Letters for my brothers and sisters to read on important milestones in their life that I wouldn’t be able to see, letters for my mum and dad thanking them. Letters to other family and my friends, I would just want to make sure that I could say everything I needed to say to the people that I love.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Well I’m currently writing this at 3.03 in the morning, so does that make me a morning person or a night owl?

If you have friends come over what would you cook?

Pizza, you can never go wrong with pizza! And all the sides, garlic bread, mozzarella sticks… the works.

If you could travel back in time, what single mistake would you change?

Everything in life happens for a reason, if I changed anything from my past I may not be the person I am today, living the life I am today with the people that I love. Although sometimes I wish I could live a completely different life and be a completely different person, when it boils down to it I know that this is the person I am meant to be.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully, I would have continued to learn and push myself to know more. I just want to be able to wake up everyday and know I am still doing my best, other than that there is nothing specific I see myself doing. 

I hope your day brings you some form of happiness,

Lots of Love, Holly x

The Importance of Pictures

Do you ever love to take a trip down memory lane? I do, all the time. I keep every picture I can possibly find from my past and I feel like it is something I will forever continue to do. It baffles me how we are able to capture a single moment, literally stop time and have it as something you can always look back on. At times I find it hard to look back on pictures, especially of myself, knowing that I will never be the person I was in those pictures again can sometimes be oddly upsetting. Growing and changing is a part of life and although we may not be the same person we were yesterday, that doesn’t take away from the people we are today.

Out of all the photos I have, looking at ones where it’s me and my family are my favourites to see. In the same way that I have changed a lot from being the young girl in these photos, so have all of the other people in them, I often find a lot of comfort in reminiscing about the all the different versions of themselves that my families have been as well.  

Taking photos is something that I will always value and is a value that runs throughout my family, especially the females. One thing I will always be thankful for is that my parents took photos! I like to think that when I am older, and my memory starts to fade all I will have to do is reach for different scrapbooks and albums (not that I have actually made any of them yet, I keep telling myself that I am getting around to it aha!) and I will be transported back to my younger years.

My advice to anyone and everyone will always be to take pictures, take lots of pictures and treasure them like they have the value of gold!

Lots of Love, Holly x

Books I Have Read in 2017 (So Far)!

There is nothing like a good book! In 2017 I have read some really good books and thought I would share! So here goes, enjoy.

Billy and Me – Giovanna Fletcher

This year, I decided to reread Billy and Me for the third time. It is one book that I feel that I will continue to go back to, everything about the story makes me smile. It is about an everyday girl named Sophie May who gets sucked into the world of fame when she begins to date actor Billy Buskin. The book goes through the heights of fame and the lows and watches as Sophie struggles with anxiety from her past. It’s a book that I find myself finishing in two days (probably because I have read it so many times now I already now what the next lines says before I have even read it). Despite loving Giovanna’s work the Billy and Me books are the only books of hers that I have read, I definitely need to pick up more of her work!  

All That She Can See – Carrie Hope Fletcher

I have watched Carrie’s career on YouTube since 2013, so when I saw her book in my local Sainsbury’s I got very excited. And rightly so, because this book was amazing. The whole concept of being able to see people’s emotions was really intriguing to me. I particularly love Cherry’s character and similarly to Billy and Me, the book mentions mental health and how it can affect a person’s day to day life – a topic which I think is really important to speak openly about. The book is both magical and real all at the same time and was a really nice read.

Wilde Like Me – Louise Pentland

This book follows the life of single mother Robin Wilde and her struggles with relationships, motherhood and creating her own success. Despite not going through anything that Robin is, she was an incredibly relatable character and I loved reading her story. It was light hearted and funny and very easy to read. Although I am not sure if it is a book that I will return to anytime soon, I did enjoy the read.

The One Memory of Flora Banks – Emma Barr

I read this book whilst on holiday and finished in half way in before beginning to reread again during the same trip. The story is about Flora Banks, someone who suffers from amnesia and can only remember events from before she was ten years old, she kisses a boy and is able to remember it, it is her one memory. She then tries to find the boy after seemingly convincing herself that she owes him for her memory. The story allows us to see Flora manage the world on her own, without the support of others. It is seen through Flora’s eyes and due to her young minded nature, the story can seem quite childlike but that just adds to the charm of the book. I like the story’s message of believing in yourself despite all odds and it was another easy read.

The Morganville Vampires - Rachel Caine

This is a series of book that I have been reading since end of September and it is safe to say that I can’t stop picking the books up. As soon as I finish one I have to immediately pick up the next. The story is based around four friends Claire, Eve, Shane and Michael who have found themselves in the middle of Morganville, a town run by vampires. The book follows the problems that come alongside their mythical neighbours, you are constantly introduced to new and interest characters and at points you can even find the vampires quite lovable. I am now the fifth book in and I both can’t wait to finish the series and at the same time never want it to end. They are defiantly a series of books that I would recommend and is something that I would absolutely love to be turned into a television show.

I hope you will pick up some of these books and enjoy them as much as I have,

Lots of Love Holly, x

My Small Collection of Tattoos

So, lets talk about tattoos… I love them! Since February of this year I have gathered a small collection of tattoos. It’s said that once you get one tattoo you will become obsessed and it’s completely true. I’ve decided to talk you through my four tattoos.

Number One

I got my first tattoo in February, it’s the outline of Cyprus and due to it’s meaning it’s my most loved tattoo. My Grandad last year and I wanted to get a tattoo something that represented him. His name or birth date seemed to obvious, I felt like if I got something like that I would constantly look at the tattoo and feel sadness, so instead I wanted to pick something that was symbolic of my memories with him. My Nan and Grandad has lived in Cyprus for as long as I can remember, it was one of his favourite places and it has become one of my too. I love it because of its simplicity. I got it on my right shoulder and in terms of pain overall it was about 5/10. However, when it got close to my collar that really did hurt! For the whole time I was being tattooed I don’t think I properly breathed once – not a good idea, especially when a lot of people faint when due to the pain, aha!

Number Two

My next tattoo was a matching one with my mum, we decided to get the word “Ohana.” As a family with have a lot of love for Disney movies and what better Disney reference for a mother daughter tattoo than the word Ohana, because “Ohana means family, and family means no one gets left behind or forgotten.” Again, it’s really simple and pretty and I got it near my wrist on my right arm, in terms of pain it was only about a 3/10.

Number Three

My third tattoo is one I never thought I would get, it’s a matching tattoo with my dad! Now this may not seem shocking to most, but my dad doesn’t really like tattoos, so when I made a passing joke about getting one I wasn’t actually expecting it to happen 3 days later. Dad chose the tattoo, it’s the Celtic symbol for father and daughter. It is the first tattoo I have with shading, everybody I have ever asked has said that shading is less painful that the outline… I can tell you for an absolute fact that they are all lying. It hurt sooooooo much! Even so, I love it!

Number Four

My fourth tattoo and it is another matching one. My best friend surprised me with an early birthday present that ended up with us both in a tattoo shop. I got duck foot prints and she got chick foot prints. It’s a reference to Joey and Chandler’s friendship in F.R.I.E.N.D.S, a show we have bonded over a lot during the past 6 years of our friendship.

I can safely say that this won’t be the end of my little collection, now it’s just the question of what to get next?

Lots of Love, Holly x

TMI Tag!

As I am new to writing blogs I thought it would be appropriate to share a little bit about myself, I figured I would do it old school style and use a YouTube tag all the way from 2013. I re-watched Carrie’s TMI tag and ended up in a worm whole of all her old videos, no matter how much good content there is on YouTube now, you can’t quite beat the old stuff.  

ENJOY!

What are you wearing?

Currently I am wearing leggings and an oversized grey jumper, I tend to chose comfort over styles 95% of the time.

Even be in love?

Luckily, yes.

Ever had a horrible break up?

Unluckily, yes.

How tall are you?

About 5’4, can’t say that I have recently checked though… maybe I have grown… or shrunk.

How much do you weigh?

I have no idea, I don’t need more reasons to give myself a complex.

Any tattoos?

4 (blog coming soon)

Any piercings?

Both my earlobes are pierced, and I have my helix pierced on my right ear. I had my earlobes pierced when I was younger so don’t remember the pain (I was told I cried only up until a lollipop was shoved in my mouth), as for my helix it seriously f***ing hurt.

OTP?

Ross and Rachel… he’s her lobster!

Favourite show?

Have you already guessed from the last question? F.R.I.E.N.D.S! I have seen each episode around a 100 times each and can lip sync to every line the characters speak… it’s literally my superpower.

Favourite bands?

McFly has been my favourite band since I was 7 years old and I don’t think that will ever change.

Something you miss?

My Grandad. If a Genie would grant me 3 wishes I would use all of them just to see him one more time.

Favourite song?

The End of the World by McFly, arguably their most underrated song but also arguably their best.

How old are you?

I am 3 weeks away from being 19, I can’t explain how sad I am to only have one year of my childhood left. Only one year away from unarguably being an adult.

Zodiac sign?

Sagittarius through and through, (yes, I like astrology, sorry if that offends you).

Quality you look for in a partner?

Someone I can laugh with.

Favourite quote?

Is it cheating if I say two? It is… guess I am a cheat then.

“the wolf that wins, is the wolf you feed.” (type the quote into google and read the story it comes from if you want a change of perspective).

And “hope is the only thing stronger than fear.”

Favourite actor?

Woody Harrelson or Tom Hanks… depends on the day.

Favourite colour?

Does grey count?

Loud music or soft?

Loud, if I can’t (badly) dance to it, I don’t want it.

Where do you go when you’re sad?

I burry myself under pile of blankets and pillows in the comfort of my own room.

How long does it take to shower?

If it’s the full shebang (hair wash, shave, singing and dance party) then 20 minutes, if it’s just a quick shower then 5 minutes.

How long does it take to get ready in the morning?

Depends on how presentable I want to look, so anywhere from 20 minutes to 2 hours.

Ever been in a physical fight?

Possibly, I don’t know if any of them would actually count as a fight though…

Turn on?

Good hair… hair says a lot about a person.

Turn off?

Arrogance, I can’t deal with people who believe they are God’s gift… moving along please.

The reason I started a blog?

Why not?

Fears?

Clowns, I have never understood how people could see clowns as friendly or funny. They are just plain creepy.

Last thing that made you cry?

A video where soldiers came home and surprised there loved ones, honestly it doesn’t take a lot to get me emotional.

Last time you said you loved someone?

A couple of hours ago.

Meaning behind your blog name?

This blog is full of my internal ramblings and why not call a spade a spade.

Last book you read?

Rachel Caine’s The Morganville Vampires – Feast of Fools. I have been making my way through the Morganville series and so far, this has been my favourite of the books.

Book you are currently reading?

Lord of Misrule (the next book in the series).

Last show you watched?

Pretty Little Liars, for about the 5^th time.

The relationship between you and the last person you texted?

My Mumma.

Favourite food?

Halloumi, so delicious!

Place you want to visit?

There are so many places I want to visit, but I think Disneyland is a must!

Do you have a crush?

Does a character from a book count?

Last time you were kissed?

Honestly cannot remember.

Last time you were insulted?

Probably sometime in the last week.

Favourite flavour of sweet?

Cherry.

What instruments do you play?

None, I tried guitar once for about 2 years and hated every minute of it.

Favourite piece of jewellery?

My birthstone ring from Pandora.

Last sport you played?

Probably basketball

Last song you sang?

Dua Lipa – New Rules.

Favourite chat up line?

Are you from Tennessee? Because you are the only 10 I see.

Ever used it?

Jeez, no! Could you imagine? Aha.

Last time you hung out with anyone?

Yesterday!

So now you know 49 completely random, completely pointless facts about some random person on the internet! Aha!

Lots of Love, Holly x

The Stolen Hat

I work in a nursery and when you work with children, you find you have a lot of stories to tell. However, when explained, most of my favourite stories seem so small and simple and yet all those tiny moments make a 38-hour working week so much more fun. 

Recently, one of the most triumphant moments all started with a hat that was thrown up into a tree. The children were playing in the garden when a little girl threw her hat up to catch it, instead a tree branch claimed it and the children where then faced with a problem… how do we get the hat back?

Of course, the first thing they decided to do was to come and ask a member of staff for help but then when they were posed with the question of “how do you think you can get the hat down?” it became a race to see who could think of the best idea first. It started with jumping, trying to push their legs as high of the ground as they possibly could but it didn’t take them to long to realise they just weren’t tall enough – no matter how high they jumped. Then came a line of other ideas, standing on the tips of their toes, using objects like hula hoops to reach, jumping from higher platforms and just generally running around crazily and just hoping it would fall.

Now this story has an underdog, a little boy standing to the side and watching quietly. He had been working out a plan to save the hat, he had watched all of the separate ideas each child had and put them all together. He dragged over a crate and picked up a hula hoop, he stood on it, went onto the tips of his toes and knocked the hat out of the tree.

The hat was saved! The best part? The reaction. Cheers began, all the children and all the staff started to clap and scream and laugh… all the while the little boy stood with the hat in his hand looking at everyone in utter confusion. He handed the hat back to the little girl and ran off to play – like nothing had happened.

And that was the end of that, 5 minutes that would become the highlight of the day and it all started because a tree decided to steal a small pink hat.

I hope you found some joy in my little story,

Lots of Love, Holly x

How to Survive in a World Where You Have No Idea What You’re Doing.

So, if you’re reading this the chances are that you live your day to day life constantly wondering what it is that you are meant to be doing. Well join the club.

At a grand at of 19 years old, I have never walked a day where I have felt in control. Every decision I make is only half decided, every thought I have results in an internal debate and I am forever wondering if I am losing at the game that is life. However, I have also found out that the uncertainty of life is actually the fun bit. So here are my 5 tips (follow them with caution) to help you survive in a world where you have no idea what you’re doing:

1)    Overthinking is the enemy. With everything you will choose to do there will be a hundred ‘what ifs’ but there will also be a hundred ways that it could go well, and the chances are the more you believe that something will go wrong the more likely it actually will.

2)    Don’t underestimate your own abilities. Believing you aren’t capable of doing something is the true killer of potential. Even if 95% of your brain tells you that you can’t do something, it is better to listen to the 5% that tells you that you can – honestly failing at something you know you tried hard at is more worth while then never trying at all. At least that way you can narrow down what your mission on this planet is meant to be.

3)    Block out the haters. The cringest catch phrase on the internet, but that cringy phrase may actually help save your soul. For whatever reason there will always be someone against you, whether it be jealousy, people’s own feeling of entitlement or just plain bitchiness, you will never truly escape the people in your shadows that enjoy trying to bring you down. Therefore, the only thing that keep be done to get rid of the unsupportive is to block them out.

4)    Say yes! Now I don’t necessarily mean this literally – saying yes to everything may end you up in quite a few tricky situations. However, what I do actually mean, is to say yes to every positive opportunity that is thrown your way. Let’s say that you are at school and you are asked to do a presentation in an assembly, do it… why not? Or you are at work and there is a new promotion place open to apply for, apply for it… why not? Sure, most opportunities are scary or difficult and it would just be more convenient to stay at home hiding under a pile of blankets, but the best parts of life don’t often happen when its easy.

5)    And finally, have hope. In the darkest of times, hope is the light at the end of the tunnel. In the words of President Snow (probably not the most inspirational book character I could quote, but he does have a point) “hope is the only thing stronger than fear.”

So, I hope my fairly average advice somewhat helped!

Lots of Love, Holly x