Books of 2015 #1

Hey there!

Can you believe it, it's we're almost a quarter of the way into 2015 and what a year it's been so far! we're already 3 weeks into 2015 and what a year it's been so far! If you're an avid reader of my blog then you should be familiar with the challenges I set myself at the start of this year, (which you can read all about here.) 

Top of my list in my resolutions for 2015 was to rediscover my love for reading and there's nothing better than tucking into bed, after a busy day, with a creamy, hot chocolate and a good novel. Instead of burying my head deep inside a book tonight, I thought I'd start a series sharing with you my favourite books of 2015!

Girl Online - my first book of 2015 just had to be the YouTube sensation Zoella's, Girl Online. Despite all the controversy associated with this book, I was eager to start reading and did not hesitate to pick it up. 

Girl Online features a young teen called Penny, who lives with her family, next door to her gay best friend, Elliot and set in her seaside town, Brighton. Penny suffers from panic attacks, (much like the writer,) and finds herself in some awful situations. A whole spiral of events unfold around her including a handsome, young man sweeping her off her feet, but we all know romance never comes easy!

This book honestly had me hooked! I may be biased, as you all know how much I idolise Zoe, but I found this novel to be an extremely addictive read - I managed to fly through it in a matter of days.Written mainly in first person with cleverly written blog posts - a nice little added touch to the novel, as we all know online content is what Zoe writes best! 

I'll be honest with you, I found the ending of the book a little too rushed and was expecting more from it, but nevertheless I really enjoyed the novel and would recommend you go and buy it - it's definitely worth the money!

Rating: 9/10 

I can't believe it's taken me this long to rekindle my love for reading, but I can assure you there will be plenty more reviews appearing on my little slice of the Internet - so keep your eyes peeled!

Comment below: what's your favourite book to read during the spring?

Bye for now! Xxx

My Year In Photos {2014}

Hey there!

Reflecting back on last year, 2014 really wasn't that bad! For me, it was a year of new beginnings, participating in new experiences and mastering the first step to boosting my self-confidence! It was also the year I fell in love with my camera - sounds vain, I know!

I'd never been a big fan of Instagram - the idea of using hashtags scared me! Seriously though, I can't even remember what i used to do before this app took over my life.I know I definitely can't live without it now! I just love to document my life, taking shots of places and events I wish to remember forever. I love flicking back through my old scrapbooks and photo albums - reliving those moments of my life where I felt blissfully happy, remembering those special memories I've shared with loved ones whom are sadly no longer with me and cringing at all the hideous clothes and hairstyles my parents tortured me with over the years.

I thought I'd share with you some of my happiest moments from 2014!

Warning: prepare yourself for a photo heavy blog post...

New Year selfie || Taking shots of London || Catching up with friends || Meeting my best friend's baby || Trip to dentist || London Eye experience || Charlton football match || Baking with my brother || Watched my first Rugby match

Ripley's Museum || #Nomake-upselfie for Breast Cancer || Day trip to Southend || Brighton beach || Catching up with my no.1 girl || First shift at work || Bowling with the girls || Evening out || The Shard experience

Work experience || Celebrated my best friend's 18th || VIP Lush Blogger's event || Speed boat on the Thames || My 18th || Lightning at football || Met my boyfriend || Paid respect at the Tower of London || Family holiday in Cornwall

Boyfriend's house party || Ice-skating with family || Fireworks night || First legal cocktails || Cinema Date || Onesie sleepover || Halloween party || 3 months with Lewis || Christmas at Ruxley

Daisy Dream perfume || Christmas Day || Festive at work || Drunken selfie || Family feast || Table tennis match || Family meal || Catch up with friends || New Year's resolutions

Bye for now! Xxx

Water Challenge

Hey there!

Christmas is over now, but unfortunately that doesn't mean in the UK the weather is getting any warmer. The winter bugs are spreading and the bitter wind chills your bones! I've never had any problems in the past with my skin - I've always made sure to moisturise well and have managed to avoid the teenage acne, but winter this year has been an issue. During this time of year, my skin tends to dry up and flake away - sounds gross I know, but with the help of my collection of moisturisers, I seem to power through the tough months! 

Due to a number of circumstances, my stress levels have gone sky high. As a result of this, my skin is slowly breaking out with unwanted spots. Most teenagers in this scenario would head straight to the chemist and grab as many spot creams as possible, but I'm positive I've found the perfect solution. 

I seem to always forget to hydrate myself properly - it's a habit I've slowly fallen into. During the day at work I usually drink endless amounts of coffee, but never take advantage of the water cooler in my office. It's become apparent that I've been feeling sluggish and rather lazy with constant headaches. Recently, I've decided to ditch the caffeine and pour myself a glass of cold water instead. Not only do I feel it would do wonders for my skin, I believe it will really help to clear my mind! 

Alongside drinking plenty of water, I'm determined to start exercising - I've become a solid couch potato since Christmas! Stress is one of the major factors for my breakout this year, but after browsing the Internet for tips on diffuse my situation, I found this list of activities to stress less. Since I've decided that this is the year I focus on myself and my habits, I felt these would really help my first obstacle of 2015:

However, I understand that exercise isn't everyone's cup of tea and sometimes it's just not physically possible to fit this into your daily routine. Therefore, I would highly recommend trying out The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Cleansing Lotion. I've been using this for a couple of days now before I settle down to sleep and I can already see some improvements. I love the way it leaves a refreshing lasting effect after wiping away the face wash and I am pleased that my skin is reacting well to the lotion - fingers crossed I will be spot-free by next week!

I hope this helps some of you who may be suffering with the same skin breakouts this winter!

Bye for now! Xxx

10 Things That Made Me Happy This Week!

Hey there!

I'll be honest, this year hasn't had the best of starts - things have been a bit rocky where relationships are concerned and everything else has just been one huge rollercoaster of emotions, but I'm getting there! I'm determined that this year will welcome a massive change in my life and bring out the better side of me. Already I've had so much support from a whole range of people and have caught up with my old friends again. However, despite the fact that this week hasn't run as smoothly as I'd hoped, it's taught me an awful lot and made me realise what I often take for granted!

1. Making someone smile by sharing a funny story.

2. Catching up with some of my blogging friends online.

3. Late night chats on the phone with my boyfriend.

4. Receiving useful advice from my supportive friends and family.

5. Lighting my favourite Yankee candle after a long day at work.

6. Finishing my first book of 2015.

7. Feeling motivated to push myself this year to achieve my goals.

8. Relaxing with my most loved films on Netflix.

9. Clearing my mind with some classic tunes and a bubble bath.

10. Devouring the last of my Christmas chocolate treats on a bad day,

Bye for now! Xxx

Blog Goals for 2015

Hey there!

If you're a regular reader of my little slice of the Internet, you may have noticed that recently I've been making a huge effort writing content for my blog - I've even managed to upload at least one post every day since Monday, meaning that I spend an awful lot of time on the Internet. I've never frowned upon unplugging yourself away from the WWW, but over the Christmas holidays, I felt like something was missing. It just didn't seem natural to be seated round the dinner table, socialising and playing charades, without once checking my emails or drafting a new blog post - I started having withdrawal symptoms!

The WWW has become such a significant part of my life now that I've found myself creating separate new year's resolutions that I wish to achieve with my blog. Whilst I'm not the most organised of bloggers, I do believe setting some time to plan ahead will help to achieve certain goals and of course, I just have to share them with you!

What I Wish To Do Online In 2015

Engage more: It's important to communicate with fellow bloggers online whether that be writing comments or participating in blogger chats via Twitter. In the past year through my little slice of the Internet, I've met some wonderful girls, who I consider now to be great friends! My aim this year is to make time to participate in as many blogger chats on Twitter  as possible. I think it will really help to maintain the traffic on my blog and gain new followers.

Start writing book reviews: Ever since a young age, I have always been an avid bookworm! Reading is something I'm extremely passionate about, but recently I've had trouble finding the time to relax with a good book. One of my new year's resolutions this year is to embrace my passion for reading and I'm excited to share my progress online with recommendations and a list of my favourites.

Grow my blog as much as possible: This time last year, my little slice of the Internet was open to just a few nosy people - mainly my close friends and family. As I grew to love my blog, I started publicising it and sharing it around on my social media accounts. I aim to grow my followers as much as possible during the year. I believe if I follow my first 2 goals, it will really help to widen my audience and boost traffic.

Stay tuned for a huge turn around this year - I know I'm excited!

Bye for now! Xxx

A letter to myself | This time next year...

Hey there!

Recently life has taken me on a real roller-coaster of events - cliché I know, but seriously if you knew what I've been through in these past couple of weeks, I'm sure you'd agree that it's appropriate. There are so many things holding me back from my ultimate goals I wish to achieve and I hope to overcome them one day. Most  importantly though, I'm determined to stop this constant battle I fight with myself everyday, so focusing on the present is priority! 

Vanessa, 

One whole year ago today, you wrote this letter to yourself. I hope wherever you may be, that you're laughing at how silly this all sounds right now, knowing that in the past 365 days of last year your life has changed more than it ever has before and you're now a transformed woman. Or maybe I'm just daydreaming again, you know how good I am at that...

I'm writing this to you, almost 2 months into my apprenticeship, sat alone in the cosy little corner of my very own office, remember that? Fingers crossed you haven't messed up in your job and are still sat here 365 days later in a brand new office, knee deep in paperwork, powering through - wow, I'm happy for you! 

How did you cope with last year's New Year's resolutions? You better not have let me down, I'm counting on you to do well! You better have shed that weight you've promised me you'd lose since forever? I hope you're not still binging on chocolate and any other greasy temptations you can find? I hope that jerk of yours last year has become a man and is treating you well - I'm really praying you finally work out! 

You're a legal adult too and I bet you still haven't bothered with driving lessons...*rolls eyes* I'm not surprised, you've always been a professional procrastinator, but I hope this time you've surprised me!

Anyway I better be off, I've done way too much procrastinating at work already today...

Bye for now! Xxx

Top 5 Blog Posts of 2014

Hey there!

I find the best way to start New Year off is to reflect upon the year just gone! It's incredible just how quickly things change in such a short space of time - new friendships, new beginnings and new perspectives on life! 2014 for me was definitely a great year, but this year I plan to do even better! If you wish to see how I'm planning on achieving this, check out my list of new year's resolutions here.  

2014 really inspired me to continue writing content on my blog, sparking off a bunch of different ides to share with you ranging from trips out in London, blogging tips, various tags, finishing the year with a poor attempt at Blogmas!

To start the year off, I thought I'd share with you my Top 5 posts from 2014...

1. Liebster Award - last year I was lucky enough to receive a special award for my blog from a close friend of mine. I suggest you all go check out her blog, I'm sure you won't be disappointed! I was so proud of myself for successfully achieving this on my little slice of the Internet and am thankful for all your support over the past year!

2. YouTube Announcment - as mentioned above, new years bring about new beginnings. 2014 was the year I grew my confidence and branched out into the vlogging world. I'd been inspired by a number of successful YouTubers and got caught up in my friend's media filming too. I started making an effort with my own channel and vlogged a number of days during the Summer, which you can watch here.  Let me know what you think.

3. Life Update: EXCITING NEWS! - 2014 also welcomed in the use of a new social media, Twitter! I've always been a fan of Twitter and love to write a few tweets now and then. I'd never thought about linking Twitter to my blog, but as my content increased and comments started appearing in response to my posts, I thought this would be a great idea to interact with a bunch of you! I've never looked back since then and I appreciate every single tweet I receive. 

4. Top 20 Blog Post Ideas... - a common case of writer's block strikes down upon us bloggers sometimes and it's often difficult to create new ideas to entertain our readers with. Starting the year with a list of ideas to prevent writer's block is a brilliant idea and it seems you thought this post was useful too!

5. Becoming a Better Blogger! - filling a planner with an organised blogging schedule is another brilliant idea to consider. Sometimes, it can be extremely difficult to stick to, especially when life takes over. However, if you find yourself in a muddle, this will soon sort your lack of blog posts out!

What post did you enioy the most? What would you like to see next on my blog? 

Bye for now! Xxx