12 days of Christmas: Day 11, My New Year Resolutions

WARNING: If you're someone who thinks the first of January is just another day, stop reading now. The first of January isn't just the opportunity to start writing a new page or even a new chapter, it's the opportunity to start writing a whole new book. 

I don't usually stick to my New Year resolutions but I like to make them anyway because it's important to have goals. In fact, the only New Years resolution I have ever stuck to for the entire year was New Year 2013/2014 and the resolution was 'don't pluck your eyebrows'. I left them alone for the whole of 2014 and most of 2015 - right up until about a month ago so almost two years! You'd think I'd look like Roald Dahl's Mr Twit but actually they barely grew... still, I won't embarrass myself with before and after photos. This year will be different. I'm 21 now. I'm an adult. I WILL stick to these resolutions! 

Be more healthy.
Here's one thing I am not ashamed to post my before and after photos for. On the left is me on my 17th birthday, below 7st. On the right is my 20th - last year when I was at my healthiest at 8st 10. Despite thinking I was 'fat' on my 17th birthday I couldn't have been more wrong.

I was so proud of this transition after the second photo was taken. I decided being unhealthily skinny wasn't for me and as a result, 2015 was the year I binged. I won't tell you exactly how much weight I've put on but it is a LOT. I'm still proud of this transition but the embarrassment at my lack of self-control often takes over. This year I'm determined to get back on track, with a HEALTHY regime. This is not a diet, it's a lifestyle choice - and I can't wait to show you my new before and after photos next year! 

Give more.
I have set targets for my charitable donations to slightly increase from the £85 in 2015 to £100 in 2016 (I know it's only small - I'm about to undertake an unpaid internship before I become a student again at the end of the year so let's be real.) But giving doesn't always have to be materialistic - you don't have to give money, you can give time. I plan to take on more volunteer work this year, starting with a 12 week internship at Cancer Research UK. Indirectly giving, I will be utilising a skill and a hobby to promote the charity and hopefully increase donations through my marketing for Race for Life. 

Save more.
While giving more in 2016, I also want to save more. You're probably thinking I'm contradicting myself but what I mean is... stop spending money on rubbish! With 0 income and student bills about to dawn on me in September, I need to be a proper adult (boooo) and only spend money on the things that matter. If I want to leave university with something in the bank I best start saving.

What are your New Years Resolutions and do you stick to them? Enjoy tonight's celebrations!

Ciao for now xo

12 days of Christmas: Day 7, Best Blog Posts of 2015

2015 isn't quite over yet but as the holiday season continues, posts appear to be slowing down in the blogging community, so I'm posting this earlier than expected! Here's a round up of my favourite blog posts from this year. Extremely varied in theme, the posts demonstrate my eclectic personality so this should hopefully enable you to get to know me better. I think I'm going off on a tangent now, distracted by 'Now that's What I Call Disney' (a Christmas gift) playing in the background so I'll get started.

*Phillip Schofield impression* In no particular order:

1. Miss Rosie Bea - Make-up collection and Storage.
Find Rosie's blog-post here: http://msrosiebea.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/my-makeup-collection-and-storage.html
Or subscribe to her YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/user/MsRosieBea/featured

I have a LOT of make-up. I'm no make-up artist, I'm just a hoarder. Although this was posted towards the end of 2014, Rosie's post affected my New Year's Resolutions for 2015 in that her extreme OCD make-up storage inspired me to be more organised myself. Starting with my make-up, I threw away those old foundations that had been opened for years - and would probably turn my skin green if I used them again. I got my own make-up storage units that were a little more 'me' and I haven't lost a lipstick since!

2. Psyco Puff - Just do It.
Find Psyco Puff's blog-post here: https://psycopuff.wordpress.com/

The author of Psyco Puff is one of my oldest and bestest friends, Levi. After hearing Levi talk about how he dreams of a successful blog and YouTube channel for as long as I can remember, it was quite emotional to see him 'put pen to paper' and JUST DO IT. The Psyco Puff blog has unfortunately been a little dormant since the first post back in August but I know Levi has a bunch of fabulous ideas and I can't wait to watch this blog expand in 2016.

3. Rum & Raisin - University Blues.
Find Rum & Raisin's blog post here:  http://rumandraisinpages.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/university-blues.html

This woman inspires me more than she will ever know. I could put every single one of her blog-posts on here, they are ALL my favourite... damn I could write a WHOLE POST about this gal. In this particular post, the author, Sian Hodkin, gives her advice for University. Ranging from 'Speak Out' to 'Don't Sweat' she embodies my every thought about University life but makes me view this period in a much more positive manner. I never thought I would say this but she made me: I'm actually EXCITED to return to University in September when my sandwich year finally comes to an end. Sian, you are UH-MAZING.

4. The Little Plum - Stop Comparing Yourself.
Find The Little Plum's blog-post here: http://www.thelittleplum.co.uk/2015/08/sunday-talks-stop-comparing-yourself.html

It was nice to see something different to The Little Plum's usual OOTD. Part of her 'Sunday Talks' series, Chloe spoke eloquently about something I think we can all relate to - comparing yourself to others. Before you stop comparing yourself to others for academic performance, you find yourself comparing your post-christmas dinner food baby to their hot bikini pics on Instagram. This can sometimes turn quite bitter and encourage self-hatred. In this post, The Little Plum begins to celebrate our differences and encourages you to do the same, spreading positivity across the blogging community.

5. Samantha Leal for Marie Claire - 5 Career Myths you Need to Stop Believing. 
Find Samantha's post here: http://www.marieclaire.com/career-advice/news/a15921/career-myths/

In this column, Samantha discourages any negative thoughts regarding chosen career paths with these 5 myths. A believer of every single one of these 5 myths, I felt a HUGE weight lifted off my shoulders at the end of the post. The most significant one for me this year: '3. Dressing for the job means blazers and trousers and neutrals.' WRONG. On search for a placement for my sandwich year, I attended several interviews early this year with huge corporate companies. I woke up hours earlier than I should have done to make sure every single hair was neatly in place and that my outfit was on point. I even took a change of shoes, true Londoner style. When I got to the interviews, everyone in the office was wearing jeans! I was SO overdressed it was embarrassing. Like Samantha mentions, the CV was created in 1482 and oh how times have changed!

6. British Vogue - How to be a Healthonist.
Find British Vogue's post here: http://www.vogue.co.uk/beauty/2015/12/14/how-to-be-a-healthonist-staying-healthy-during-party-season

I know what you're thinking... WHAT THE F@** is a healthonist??? Yep, me too. But Vogue focuses on remaining healthy during the holiday season - something we can all struggle with. Determined to stick to my New Years Resolution of becoming more healthy in 2016 (I WILL do it this year) British Vogue will motivate me when it gets tough at parties. I'd prefer a cold-pressed cocktail to red wine anyway... 

Hope you're enjoying the holiday season! What are your favourite blog posts of 2015?

Ciao for now xo

photo source: bitrebels.com