Stuck In A Blogging Rut

Do you, fellow blogger or everyday internet dweller, ever find yourself  asking the question 'What do I want to do?' and after so long you realise you've been spending months not being able to find an answer to that question? Time passes, roots grow back and you still find yourself asking and not actually doing. That is how I have found myself sitting here asking the same question again. Abandoning my blog since June and my only excuse is well I don't know.

I find it funny that we, as people, for some reason have a need to justify each decision we make, to ourselves and especially to others otherwise it feels like waste of time, the wrong decision?
A woman at work came into the kitchen the other day whilst I was making a cuppa and went for a mince pie. Everyone had brought in all of their leftover Christmas treats to empty out the cupboards so it was free for the taking, but she still felt the need to justify her decision to me to eat it. I wasn't sure if she wanted my approval or that I might not jump on my new years diet high horse and say 'Whoa there! Did you know there's 64866258 calories and 900 grams of fat in one of those bitesize pastry devil cakes?" whilst I smirked  holding my cup of chamomile.
But I guess that's my best representation of what I am trying to do but failing miserably to put into best words. I guess I need the approval that I can go back to my blog after such a long hiatus and I feel the need to justify why.  I need to take a big fat bite of the hypothetical mince pie and not care what anyone else thinks.

In a new house and additional cat in tow I find myself, quite literally, find myself again. But it's OK to lose your mojo sometimes. Its OK to feel lost and doubt yourself.
I'd like to do things that make myself happy and not what everyone else is happy for me to do. I need to make time for my blog as I enjoy doing it and I like being able to express myself in a way that I have never found an outlet for before. Sometimes it's scary sharing personal thoughts online as you never know who might actually be on the receiving end, be it a friend, family member I struggle to keep in touch with, a colleague (yikes) it could even be myself in a decade or so reading back, whoever, wherever you are I hope you're happy and take the leap!

One of my new year resolutions was to make time for my blog and here I am making time. I hope I can last :)

Katie

x

Origins Event: Meeting Tanya Burr

Yesterday was such an amazing day for me as I finally got to meet the very lovely Tanya Burr. Myself and my sister were fortunate enough to win V.I.P tickets along with 49 others to attend an Origins event hosted by John Lewis. It was a rooftop event and although the sun didn't manage to stick it out for the day, it was a really beautiful event. They laid fake grass down and had cute little beach huts where you can buy Tanya's favourite origins products or grab an apple, strawberry and ginger juice! Yummy!

We were one of the first in the queue so they put us up in the lift and as we walked outside their were people taking pictures and waiters offered juices and natural granola bar snacks. First, we had a skin consultation where an Origins representative would ask what our daily skin regime is like and if we consider our skin oily, sensitive or dry. I got to try the Ginzing face scrub which smells lovely and also the Drink Up Intensive Overnight mask which smells like apricots and is super moisturising.

After our skin consultation we snapped a few photos in the selfie booth and then had a look at the view from the roof!

I then went to one of the little huts to purchase some products, I picked up the Ginzing scrub and the Drink Up Intensive Overnight mask I was recommended but the kind lady that gave me the skin consultation and they gave me a free copy of her book Love, Tanya! I thought it was really cool that you get a free copy of the book with any purchase.

Soon Tanya was introduced and the Origins general manager spoke to her for a little while about Tanya's favourite products and she gave us her top 5 tips for beautiful skin, some where drink lots of water and always take your makeup off. Classic rules any beauty guru will know!

And then it was time to meet Tanya! She signed the copy of her book I got with my purchases and had a little chat with me, unfortunately she was feeling poorly so her manager was quick to get her a lemon detox drink. She mentioned her new products coming out and she told me the packaging would be changing and she's going for a completely new look. (She also said I was the first she told about it, inside scoop!) I tried to ask what kind of products she was bringing out but I understood she may want to keep it a surprise, I did ask if she was thinking about doing foundation as I know she does love a good Armani or NARS foundation. She said she's not doing foundation YET and I told her she must do pale shades when she eventually does as I can never find one pale enough when I'm skipped the fake tan during the winter. I then snapped a few selfies with her and wished her the best for her upcoming wedding to Jim Chapman!

It was so exciting finally getting to meet her as she was the one who really got me into makeup. I have always loved experimenting but I never ventured out and tried different looks and I find whatever she recommends I'll usually go to the shop and buy it and LOVE it! She is my ultimate beauty inspiration and it was lovely getting to meet her in person.

While I waited for my sister to meet Tanya, I bumped into Dom, the gleam manager. Those of you who watch her vlogs will have seen him before a few times. He was really nice so we just stood and had a chat. He told me about the Louise Live tour that is happening soon but unfortunately the London tickets are already sold out even though I would love to go! 

After Cara had spoken with Tanya we decided we couldn't wait any longer for food and went to leave for a Wagamamas, upon leaving the Origins representatives gave us a cute little origins bag which had a few samples in it! 

It really was a fabulous little evening and we went home on such a high that we got to meet our beauty inspiration!

Katie

x

Motivational Monday

The main reason I write motivational Monday posts is to have a reminder each week to myself to be grateful for something and to keep me going when things seem crappy. I list the things I'm happy for  this week too as it would be so easy to write 100 things that happened that I'm angry about. People find it easier to see the bad in things rather than the great, if I list these once a week I'm sure it will get stuck in my head one day to always look on the bright side of life *whistles*.

This week I want to remind myself and others that no matter how many times you may fail or get rejected, always get back on the horse and try again.

A  quote I really like is "If someone tells you no, you're asking the wrong person"

This means to always strive for what you desire no matter how disheartening rejection may be and not to give up. 

My biggest motivation is my mum. The one who's always on the other end of the phone when I cry from the stress of  life and encourages me to get on with it. She supports me every day and I'm very grateful to her.

This week I'm happy for:-

1. Taking dogs for a walk at 7pm and it still be baking hot!

2. A lazy sunday with Dean  spent watching films

3. Winning V.I.P tickets to meet Tanya Burr next Wednesday! :D

4. Positive feedback from a job interview

5. How my cat meows in reply to almost anything you say

Hope you all have a lovely week!

Katie

x

Motivational Monday

Today, I want to remember those around me who encourage me, support me, love me and just generally make me smile. 

This saying is always being thrown about, to surround yourself with people who help your being. 

We shouldn't just think about what we can do for others, sometimes we need to think about what they can do for us. There's no point in wasting your life being surrounded by negative people who constantly bring you down or are a bad influence on you or burden you with their own problems. We must seek out those who promote self-esteem, those who will put you on a pedestal when you are lacking self confidence, those who support your crazy decisions and don't criticise.

I'm so fortunate to have a family that are there to support me in all I do, a boyfriend that always makes me laugh and teaches me not to take life too seriously and crazy friends that are always a phone call or text away , whether it's to bitch about something or to go out and satisfy my need of wine.

This week I am happy for:-

1.  One too many cocktails with my girl friends

2.  Getting drunk on a Tuesday night

3. Beautiful sunny weather for a BBQ

4. My cats cuddling nicely on the bed instead of fighting

5. Managing to stay up past 11 some nights and still make it through the next day

What are you happy for?

Katie

x

Motivational Monday

This is like my daily mantra. It's always important to remember in everything we strive to do, that we may not notice any big differences straight away, but in time we will have made such a change for the better from putting time and effort into it. This could be fitness goals or a new project that you're working on. I am working on both my fitness and my blog, and I know in a years time I'll most likely be glad I started. 

To stay on track with your future goals it's best to start small. I will never wake up one morning and think "I want to run the marathon next year" because I know I am nowhere near I need to be with my fitness to be able to even think about running 26 miles. However, I could think I would like to start running 3 times a  week. (To be honest I don't know if I could even do that!) 

With my blog, I write when I am feeling my blogging mojo. If I have had a stressful and busy day I most likely will not write at all, but sometimes I could write drafts for 3 different blog posts. I'm so grateful to myself for having the courage to make my own blog and manage to keep writing despite what others may think or say which used to scare me.  Now I am able to enjoy it and hopefully other do too.

I enjoy writing Motivational Monday posts as it reminds me of what I should be grateful for rather than dwelling on all the rubbish from last week, people say we should put the past behind us, but if it's a happy memory I don't want to forget!

This week I'm happy for:

1. Sunday afternoon Nandos :) mmm!

2.  Finally finding "Orange Is The New Black" to binge watch on Netflix.

3. Watching the thousands of people who ran the marathon and feeling very patriotic for some reason. It's nice to see London hosting events like this for charities.

4. Going out for one too many drinks with friends, it's always fun.

5. Putting my little sister to bed and she always needs an extra good night kiss sooo cute!

What are you happy for this week?

Katie 

x

Motivational Monday

I don't think I'll ever be one of those people who are completely organised and has everything going right for them. I'm extremely fortunate to have a loving family who take care of me, as well as a loving boyfriend and a nice home to live in. But I am also very unlucky in terms of, my hair never goes the right colour, or I drop my new blusher as soon as I leave boots and it smashes into pieces :( or I come across the largest potholes I've ever seen and have no choice but to drive over them and almost destroy my car! 
Surprisingly I stay quite positive in these situations, where the old me would just break down and cry, the new me laughs off the orange patches in my hair and the £40 spent on straightening the alloy on my wheel. I'm feeling very positive this morning and feel this week will be badass.  I would like to get some, if not all, of my little ducks in a row.

This week I am happy for -

1.  Realising I haven't had a cold since I started the gym again *touches wood*

2. Finally getting my hair fixed

3.  My gorgeous new bed sheets that make me so excited to jump into bed!

4. My car not breaking down on me (I'm not thankful for the massive pothole that bent my alloys last Friday)

5. The hot UK weather we had on Wednesday :)

6.  The sun still being up at 7.45pm!

7. Game of Thrones season 5!

8.  Candles that make your room smell lovely without having to light them 

9.  Old favourite songs I forgot about, playing on the radio

10. My skin is finally clearing up

What are you happy for this week?

Katie
x

20 Things to Start Doing Today

1. Drink more water

2. Smile more often

3. Walk further (just around the shops if you must)

4. Laugh louder, it burns 10-40 calories every 15 minutes

5. Stretch in the morning to increase flexibility

6. Leave a glass of water on your bedside table (you'll thank me for it)

7. Accept compliments! (By the way, if you're reading this YOU'RE AMAZING! )  ;)

8. Stop dwelling on the little things you can't change

9. Focus on improving those that you can!

10. Sing along to your favourite music

11. Throw out all the junk you don't use 

12. Tidy your room/house/flat

13. Don't forget to wash your bed sheets regularly

14. Eat more fruit & vegetables

15. Avoid processed foods

16. Paint your nails whatever crazy colour you like

17. Appreciate those around you (they won't be there forever)

18. Take the time to tell the ones you love how much you love them

19. Turn the TV/laptop/iPhone off and read a book

20. If someone needs you, give them your time and listen

Katie

x

Motivational Monday

I believe in staying positive as much as possible and I try to be an all-round happy person in life. A great way to remind yourself to smile is thinking about all the little things in life that make you happy. It could be anything from wearing your favourite pair of socks to treating yourself to an extra nice meal.

This week I am happy for -

1. Leftover Easter eggs

2. Going to bed late and waking up early and NOT needing a nap!

3. Singing in the car really loud

4. Wearing a dress and sandals for the first time in 7 months and not freezing

5. Finally being able to sleep with the window open again

6.  Lush bubble baths

7. My stepdad's  home made Shepard's Pie

8.  The fact that my freckles that are finally appearing

9. How much my cat loves a cuddle

10. Makeup-less pyjama days

What are you happy for this week?

Katie

x