WHAT ARE RESOLUTIONS REALLY?

At the end of every year, the same things happen and people start to talk about resolutions that they want to achieve that next year but, half way through they can hardly remember yesterday- let alone their resolution.

Does this mean that everyone just says their resolution because everyone else is? If they didn't give one would they be socially excluded or frowned upon?

If resolutions are supposed to improve our lives- pouring it all over social media is making it more about showing their "followers" what they want to achieve rather than actually doing it.

I mean don't get me wrong I have been in the same position where I have had resolutions for the new year and then forgotten all about them but then that makes me think - what is the whole point of it?

For the last couple of years I have written in one of my notebooks, a few goals that I make up for myself in  late December that are achievable and it is linked to something I want to do.  Then throughout the year I will go back to this notebook and reflect on whether I have been doing anything towards these goals or whether I need to do more. At the end of the year about beginning of December I tick off which ones I have achieved and cross out the ones that I haven't. This way there is not as much pressure for me having to do it all at once.  I usually achieve most of them in one way or another but if I don't I usually just  transfer it to the next year. 

There is one goal I have put down for 3 years and have not achieved which is driving on the motorway, I have a massive fear but I want to start getting more confident and actually go on there so I can learn. Hopefully 2018 is my year for this goal. 


What are your opinions on resolutions? 

Do you have one? If so, please share!

A GREAT PRESENT IDEA FOR YOUR PARTNER

Last Valentines day I was in such a panic as I did not know what to get Alex that he hasn't already got and I wanted it to be special!! So where did I go do you say...... good old pinterest!! I searched and searched on there to find good ideas and finally found one!

The perfect gitft idea was...... a year of dates!  I loved this idea because I could plan out different things we like to do and other ideas that we say we would do but haven't done yet!! Another great part of this gift is that every months doesn't have to be money orientated, it could be simple things like a cosy day in watching disney movies ( or something that you and your  partner likes doing).

 HERE ARE MY ONES :

I put them in an envelope and stuck the Month on the top so he knew which one to open!

Here is what they were:

MARCH - I thought as we both love food so much we would go to a food and drink festival      which includes tickets to the Ideal Home Show too! We can chill out, have good food and have a wonder!

APRIL -  It is my turn to pick the movie- we can cuddle and watch a good film. Make sure    we have some goodies!

MAY - The month of your birthday! We are getting away for a night or two somewhere new     in the UK to explore!

JUNE - It's time for us to get our chef hats on and get creative in the kitchen to see what        delicious dishes we can come up with! Maybe we can have a competition...

JULY - We are now in summer a perfect time for a picnic! Pick one of our favourite parks      and we can go there, with our picnic food and enjoy ourselves.  

AUGUST -  It is time to go to the cinema... but not any old cinema... a everyman cinema! We can watch a good film like Spiderman as that is out in July!

SEPTEMBER - It is game night! Pick a few board games and we can play it out to see who      wins.

OCTOBER - For this months date, I thought we could go bowling and then play glow in the    dark mini golf! An old school kind of date that we both enjoy.

NOVEMBER -  As winter creeps in and it gets colder all we will want to do is stay in. This    month it is your turn too choose the movies we choose, snuggle up with good food and enjoy the film.

DECEMBER - A Netflix and relax kinda date! We can watch all episode of our favourite    shows, catch up and try new ones. Perfect when it is Christmas and have no  money!

JANUARY - To take us back to Marbella we are going to a salsa class and then tapas after to  celebrate and reminisce!

FEBRUARY -  We are going to book ourselves  a night in Manchester and go shopping in the  Old Trafford like we say we always  will!

The great thing about presents like these is that they can be made personal just for you and your partner to enjoy!

I hope this gave you inspiration for valentines day (like me), birthday, anniversary or just a general present giving.. ENJOY!

HOPES FOR 2018

I can't believe 2018 is approaching.. this year has gone so fast and has been a whirlwind!! 

I have experimented more with my fashion sense which is pleasing because I am usually very self conscious of what I wear and how it looks on me so I am glad that I am coming out of my comfort zone and trying new ideas.

Since the beginning of 2017 I have mentioned multiple times that I want to improve my make up  looks and  get better at applying it which I feel I have achieved because I have taught myself how to blend, pop, smudge and get the perfect looks. It does go wrong sometimes but it is all about trial and error which will take time and I am happy with what I have learnt already!

Overall 2017 was a good year for my fashion sense and make up looks.  In other terms it wasn't that great I lost a very close family member so it was a hard time for us all but we are getting there.

Here are my hopes for 2018:

- Become more adventurous in trying out different styles,
- Carry on trying out different make up looks,
- Learn to cook different foods and bake more,
- Move out of my house and in with Alex,
- Try and get away at least once even though I have no money due to saving for rent.

I hope 2018 is the year for me, I hope to overcome some personal fears and live my life to the fullest. It is going to be hard to save money and not to go out as much or buy anything but I really want to try and succeed in something.. I will do it. I need to do more positive thinking and less overthinking and worrying!


What are your hopes for 2018?

CHRISTMAS

I love Christmas and all things Christmas! Although I hate the weather I love the festivities: from the markets, mulled wine and hot chocolate, to the ice rinks, Christmas movies and decorating the tree! I really love giving presents to my family and friends because it is really the only time I can spoil them!! <3
I have been to Winter Wonderland twice this year already once with my Aunty where I lost my hat and then with my boyfriend Alex! I loved the atmosphere at Winter Wonderland, everyone is enjoying themselves and doesn't care about the busy-ness of it. I am going once more on the 23rd of  December, I am going with my friend so we can exchange presents!

Christmas is coming fast and like everyone else I have started my preparations early. I started buying presents beginning of November, and even brought my cards before that.  I usually leave my present buying to last minute so I am happy that there is not too much left to do!
We even had snow this past weekend (10/12/17). Here in London we haven't had snow in years especially around Christmas so it was a treat! I hope there is more snow for Christmas Day!


I have made Christmas  crackers again this year and they have  turned out better than last years!
Things you will need:
- Wrapping paper of your choice
- Cracker snap
- Hot glue gun
- Decorations
- Ribbon.

Here are my ones:

ORPHAN BLACK

Over the last couple of months I have been watching a show called Oprhan Black. I don't know why I chose this because from the outside it doesn't look like the kind of programme I would like but on the inside it is something I like.  It involves mystery, suspense and surprise the 3 main  catches in a show I like.

There is only 5 series but they don't disappoint with all the twists and turns in every episode let alone season there is plenty going on without it being too full on.  The main characters are all played by the same person and the plot throughout the whole story is clever and unique. I would not know how to come up with something like that. The final episode of the whole show brought it all together in a harmony with every last puzzle fitting in so you would not be confused.

I would defo recommend this show--- and I have! It is the best!


    


Andrea

HI

Hi there everyone... it's me Andrea.
Long time no type...
I kinda gave up on my blog half way through this year and I can't get back into it!! My laptop broke and I was laptop-less for 2 months, more or less and so I got out of routine.... and obviously no one actually reads my blogs ahaha!!

We are now nearly 2 months from the New Year and I feel like I have hit stand still.  I  am just living which is good .... but nothing excites me anymore!! I need to find that passion and put it into something. I recently got into card making but it is so hard to find good stuff and, things that are good are usually from America because I think it is more popular there!!  Maybe once I start doing it properly I can post a few on here and show you?

I also want to start to get into YouTube but also finding it hard to get the energy to actually start it!  I have done a bit more videoing on my instagram and that is helping me but I get so nervous haha!!

I want to get into my blogging again so I am going to try and do a post every week hopefully just need to find some interests!

TRAVELLING BUG

I have something to admit..... I have the travel bug. There I said it and it feels good to let it out!  


These last 2 years I have been travelling around Europe in between work and I have been loving it. The only negative from the experiences I have is that I'm still being told to be sensible with my money and save it for a house or for more appropriate things but I love travelling.  I think it is so important to go travelling when you are young so you can learn about different countries culture and history.  Even now 2 years on when I tell my family I am going somewhere, they roll their eyes and say when will you start saving. There is so much time to do that or save at the same time. I am only 24 years old, people do so much more wilder activities such as go travelling for 6 months and then have to come home and face reality... me I am doing it bit by bit!!  I have decided this year that I will reign it in a little and stick to travelling once a year so I can do some sort of saving as now I have decided I want to move out. But this was done on my terms not on anyone else's. 

My first travels in 2015 was to Italy, where myself and my friend  travelled to 3 parts- I have written  a blog post on this already. Here they are:
Part 1: https://andreasworld12.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/a-week-in-italy-part-one.html
Part 2: https://andreasworld12.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/a-week-in-italy-part-two.html
Part 3: https://andreasworld12.blogspot.co.uk/2017/02/a-week-in-italy-part-three.html

This was a eye opener because it was my first holiday without my parents and it was a great opportunity to be independent.

My next travel opportunity was in 2016 to Amsterdam and Prague which I have not done a blog post just yet. But it was amazing to explore such beautiful cities with so much history behind it. Prague was very  Gothic and medieval and the food was delicious while Amsterdam was very modern and fresh.  

This summer 2017 I have been to Barcelona in July which was a wonderful experience to learn about Picasso and Gaudi especially he was a wonderful artist.  I also went to Costa de Sol which was more of a relaxing holiday... but I had never been Spain before and I went twice in 1 summer!! 


My last travel of the year will be in October I am going to Budapest for a week and I cannot wait to explore another City!