My 3 accomplishments of 2017

I'm writing this as we are about to enter 2018. It's a time to be reflective, not say the obvious statements - "I can't believe 2017 is over" or "Is it really January again?!" It's always interesting, but sometimes tedious, to see what everybody's New Year's resolutions will be. No doubt I'll be seeing the "Going on a diet" or "Start jogging" resolutions flash up on my Facebook timeline.

Here's my reflection of this year, has 2017 been a successful year for me? In some areas, yes, in other areas? Probably not so much. But it's good to look back on the last 12 months to see what I could achieve in 2018 and what goals are easy to strive for over in the next year before I re-write this post in December 2018.

Most Liked, Retweeted and Viewed - December 2017

The festive season is over and we are about to welcome a new year. It feels just like only yesterday since we were letting off the fireworks to bring in 2017. How time flies. Well, December has been an obvious festive, good feel month.

I had a lovely, quiet, sprawly (if that's even a word!) Christmas Day with my Mam where we pigged out and watched Christmas TV. The best programme on Christmas Day being EastEnders, which I still can't get over.

My 7 favourite bloggers of 2017.

So this is my first entire calendar year blogging and boy how quick has it gone?!

I never thought that writing my thoughts, taking god knows how many flat lay photos and pre-planning blog posts two or three months ahead of time would make me as happy as it has. Like I said in my About page , I adore writing, I did when I was in school and still do today.

One thing I love about blogging is reading other blogger's work and content and viewing their stunning pictures.

Christmas Eve

Yes, by this time tomorrow we shall be swimming in ripped wrapping paper and putting our turkey's into the oven.

Winter

I know it's felt like Winter for a while now, but today marks the official start of Winter. I'll admit it, I do love the Winter months. I think I love it more in the lead up to Christmas rather than in January when everything and everyone looks and feels miserable. There are so many good things about winter, here are a few things I adore about the colder months:

You are NOT what you eat!

Now, I'm not a psychic, I can't really predict future events, if I could, I'd love to know if Liverpool will win any trophies this season or how my health will be next year. But one thing I know I will see as we come into the New Year - the New Year diet extravaganza.

Are we still preoccupied with the desperate need to cut back on the food after we've pigged out so much over the holidays? Really? Which, by the way, is the way to do things at Christmas.

65 Things I Love About Christmas

Christmas is fast approaching, I'm currently writing this after I have just finished wrapping all my presents for my family and friends. Jeez it took me ages but having a Christmas CD on in the background made the job seem easier and less hassle. How can you not wrap presents to Christmas songs, like seriously?! This got me thinking, what are ALL the things I love about Christmas? It's certainly a very festive and joyous time of year, there's so many reasons why I and so many others enjoy the Christmas season, here are some of them, well, 65 to be precise:

Tips for Christmas Shopping

We are finally at the point where the thought of buying Christmas presents for loved ones creeps into our minds. Mind you, I think I started thinking about it near the beginning of November.

Is it important to be organised? Yes it is, but only to a certain extent. People who start buying Christmas presents months before the big day are too organised in my opinion. I mean, how can you remember who you've bought for whom from so long ago?! I can barely remember who I've bought presents for in November/December let alone March/April! But I can see the logic behind it, it can save you money.

Love Is In The Hair

Even though I don't do it often, I love getting my hair cut.

I love thinking about the endless possibilities of what I could do to change my hair style. Will I pluck up the courage and have a completely different style or colour? But, as always, I end up having the same conversation with my hairdresser -

Most Liked, Retweeted and Viewed - November 2017

I'm writing this post in disbelief - there's only one month left of 2017! Like seriously, it only feels like yesterday since January.

Also, Christmas is coming! Now, I've done pretty good so far in regards to Christmas shopping this month, I think I'm at the halfway point with it all and that's really unusual for me. I'm never this organised so I'm quite pleased with myself to be at this point!

Lookbook - 27.11.2017

It's finally reached that time of year where I plough through my wardrobe to find my jumpers and cardigans for the colder weather. But when I was searching through my wardrobe, it dawned on me - I own hardly any stuff suited for winter!

Well, I kind of do, but most of it I wear to work in the week. I need jumpers for the weekend or when I'm off work. So what an idea, well, sort of a brilliant for me to brave the Black Friday shoppers last Friday. I say Black Friday was last Friday, it's been more like a week! From countless emails to adverts on the TV, I'm done with it all now.

Anyway, I went out to the shopping centre and bought a quarter of my Christmas presents and this lovely jumper from H&M, which was reduced to £9 in store - bargain.

Stubbornness - A good or bad trait?

Let's face it, we all have a bit of stubbornness within us. It's how we choose to show that defines us as a person.

Being stubborn does get a bad reputation in society. You can be seen as being cocky, self-centred and defensive.

But honestly, is being stubborn such a totally bad thing? I mean, think about it, being cocky can mean being confident, right? Sometimes you have to be stubborn to get the things you want in life. You can make it a good, personal asset. Here are a few of the ways stubbornness can be seen as a positive trait:

I'll admit it, I use my Iphone too much

I'm currently tapping this post out using the standard QWERTY keyboard that's set on my Iphone. Whatever happened to the days when if you needed and wanted to get your thoughts out there, we had to have a pen and paper handy? We have reached the point where we tap our thoughts and reminders in the Notes app. Welcome to the digital era.

The Mystery Blogger Award

Ok, so I'm in work and checking my Twitter notifications on my phone and a notification pops us from North Left , to say she has nominated me for the Mystery Blogger Award! Thank you!

We're All Different. But All Equal.

I was out with some old school friends the other week, reminiscing about the old school days, the laughs we used to have, all the memories we made.

Of course, someone says, "I'd love to relive high school again". Nah, no way. I'd rather have 10 Venflons pierced in my hand.

As it is Anti-Bullying Week this week, I thought I'd write a post about how bullying can have such a huge impact on your life if you have ever been put through the torture it brings.

80 Acts Of Kindness

It's World Kindness Day today.

Does it hurt to do kind things? No it bloody doesn't. It only takes a few seconds or minutes to do an act of random kindness. It makes you feel incredibly better for the rest of the day and the person you've helped will remember you for that. Being kind doesn't mean it has to be a huge grand gesture, it's sometimes more about the smallest things that brighten people's days. Here are some, well 80, acts of kindness that you can easily do, some you may already do without realising it:

Lookbook - Stradivarius - 09.11.2017

I love browsing the online retail world for new clothing brands.

Sometimes it's nice to look for online stores which are not on the high street. In a way, when you buy and wear stuff that comes from a brand that isn't on the high street makes your outfit somehow more original.

Five Reasons Why Everyone Should Use Pinterest

Before blogging, I'd heard of Pinterest, but all I knew about it was that teachers or student teachers used to get lesson ideas or inspiration on how to design the home corner in the classroom.

The 5th November - The Night Sparks Fly

It's Guy Fawkes night, one of my most favourite days of the year!

I wanted to write a quick post about why I adore this day. Fireworks night is also a gentle of one childhood memory that will always stay with me. It was a day my parents made the point of marking. These days it's Bonfire Weekend, they started last night and oh my word they were LOUD. But still pretty to look at!

Why Everyone Should Visit To Wales

Shwmai! I've come home from a long drive from Cardiff, plonked myself down on the sofa and look at my emails to see an accommodation website called iknow-UK have emailed me, asking me to write about the reasons why people should come and visit Wales for a break.

I won't lie, at first my mind went blank as to try and come up with reasons why people would want to visit Wales. People associate Wales with sheep, rugby, rainy weather and daffodils. Which is sort of true. But after reading this ultimate list of things to do in Wales, I didn't realise that my home country has a lot more to offer than I thought!

Most Liked, Retweeted and Viewed - October 2017

I'm sat writing this on the beginning of my week off from work, finally de-stressed prior to the mad and hectic few weeks I've experienced.

I'm glad to have this time off work now, I need to reenergise and focus on myself.

One Year Bloggerversary

My blog has reached its milestone of being published on the Internet for one whole year!

I can't believe how quickly the time has come around! Around this time last October, I was contemplating whether to start my own blog or not. Would people I know think that it was a stupid idea? Would people read anything that I wrote? Could I maintain a blogging schedule?

Why Liverpool Is My Happy Place

I know that by the end of writing this post, I'll be searching for cheap hotel deals to go back up there.

 

If you don't know that I love the city of Liverpool by now, then where have you been?! So much so that I have a canvas hung up on one of my bedroom walls of the city's skyline. As it says in my Twitter and Instagram bio - 'Heart and soul in Liverpool'. But relax fellow Newportonians, I still love living in my hometown.

Lookbook - 19.10.2017

I love that feeling you get when you wear a new outfit. I don't know whether it's just me but it gives me a sense of confidence and a sense of flair. Like I said, maybe it's just me.

I have finally given in to the Autumnal weather and dug out my jumpers and woollen scarves. I have also been on the lookout for over the knee boots for a while now, I even did my first Instagram poll about the two pairs that I had narrowed it down to, one pair from the brand Daisy Street, the other pair from Stradivarius, my most recently discovered line of clothing which I have fallen in love with. So of course I chose the Stradivarius boots, mainly because I knew they were going to be the ones I would wear the most.

Is It Compulsory To Have An Instagram Theme?

I was scrolling through Twitter the other night and I seen a blog retweeting page having the topical conversation about Instagram. One of the questions being asked was whether we have an Instagram theme and whether bloggers should have one or not.

This question got me thinking, as I type this draft post in Notes on my IPhone, do we really need to post the same or similar pictures just to conform to a theme?

Making Exercise Enjoyable

My 24 year old self changes into her gym gear ready for another workout, ready to get my lungs 'a' thumping and my heart 'a' pumping. It's now become a part of my daily routine.

Going back 10 years ago, my 14 year old self hated the thought of doing any sort of exercise, it didn't seem cool for her to do that, she wanted to go on MSN and sprawl in front of the TV the time she came home from school and that's the way she thought things were meant to be.

Lookbook - 09.10.2017

When you get those days when you look in your wardrobe and you keeping repeating to yourself - "I have nothing to wear!"
Yep, I have those days quite a lot. When I'm working, it's simple, a pair of black leggings and anything which will look ok-ish with my black leggings. After all, I work in a school, I don't need to overdress.

On the weekends, I want to wear something that is not only stylish, but practical (in a way) and casual.
This outfit is the pinpoint and go to weekend outfit for me right now. Not only is it stylish but it's comfortable and is good to wear throughout the year.

 

The shirt is from Primark but there is a similar one which I love below.

Let me know what you think in the comment box below!

Lucy

xx

40 Things About Me

I love reading blogger's posts telling all us readers about who they are and giving us a little insight into their likes and dislikes and just all round random facts about themselves. And it occurred to me, I haven't done a post like that since I started blogging! So, you want to know why I love Steps and why I'm wary about driving on the motorway?

Then read on!...

What's In My Prescription Bag This Week? - 2.10.2017

I seem to writing this mini series every two weeks at the moment when it was meant to be written in weekly instalments. The reason being is that I went another week without needing to order anything from my repeat prescription!

Most Liked, Retweeted and Viewed - September 2017

I've had a really weird month in regards to social media.

At the beginning at the month, I struggled to post any good content on all social media platforms. I couldn't think or have any good decent photos to share on Instagram and I felt I had nothing to say on Twitter. Even on my private Facebook I've been quiet. I don't know whether that is due to the fact that I'm back working full time (which I'm enjoying so much!) so my brain is completely frazzled and worn out by the time I come home or I've just got myself into a social media posting rut (if that even exists).

Lookbook - 27.09.2017

I haven't done a fashion post in god knows how long. It says on my homepage that I'm a fashion blogger, as well as a lifestyle and personal one, so I guess I need to live up to that. I love fashion and buying clothes, well, what blogger doesn't?!

So yes, this post will be about one of my favourite go to outfits right now.

Autumn

It's time to say goodbye to the shorts, sandals and sun screen and say hello to scarves, socks and slippers. Autumn is upon us. Today marks the first day of Autumn (September 22nd).

What's In My Prescription Bag This Week? 18.9.17

Sorry for the delay in the second instalment in this mini series! It's because not last week, the week before, I had a rare moment which I always cherish in my CF life - I didn't need to order anything from my prescription! Very rare does a moment like this happen so it was nice not having to go to the chemist to pick up a bag full of medication on the Saturday morning.

Five Places In Europe I'd Love To Visit

I think I can safely say that most of us would love to travel to all different places around the world. They could be places that are on your bucket list or you're a graduate wanting to take a gap year and travel the world. The world certainly has a lot to offer, so many different cultures that we would love to experience and be a part of for a short period of time. Holidays also mean making long-lasting memories which you can look back in years to come.

Moving On

This post has been in my drafts for a while now. I've been umming and ahhing about whether to publish it for so long now, my finger has been hovering over the click button on my laptop for weeks now, but I've finally plucked up the courage to do it. There have been a few tears writing this, I even made one of my friends cry when she read the first couple of paragraphs!

But here goes...

Organ Donation Week

The 4th September sees the start of Organ Donation Week.

Now, this isn't a post scolding you all by saying "You HAVE to be a donor" or having a go at people who haven't got a donor's card.

What's In My Prescription Bag This Week? - 4.9.17

A little mini CF awareness blog series alert!

I get asked a lot about my medication and what each tablet is for etc. I also see a lot of bloggers writing posts about 'what's in my handbag?'

And it finally hit me - why not put my own spin on the traditional handbag blogger post and make it about what I have to pick up from the chemist every week?!

Most Liked, Retweeted and Viewed - August 2017

August is almost over, which means Summer is almost over *sigh*. But in a way I'm looking forward to Autumn coming now. Seeing the leaves on the trees change to brown and fall away to the ground, the return of the long, wooly scarves and knee high boots and tights.

A Song For Tomorrow

People who know me well know I adore reading.

I have done ever since I picked up my first reading book in primary school and read to my teacher. I find reading a form of escapism and really love being captured by the story, you feel like you're going through the same emotions as the characters in the book as you're reading it.

Five Rules I Keep To Before Posting A Blog

All bloggers want their posts to be perfect. From eye catching pictures to relatable content, we want our readers and audience to be excited and anticipate when our next post is going to be up on our website. I'm like that with some bloggers because their content and pictures are just blooming amazing. I'm sure that bloggers will agree with me when they say that they have a checklist they keep to before posting a new blog.

A Girl Who Loves Football

Quite a different post for me to write but as the 17/18 Premier League football season is about to commence, I wanted to talk about the main love of my life - Liverpool Football Club.

Yes, shock, horror! I'm a girl who loves watching football. Ever since I was 13, my weekends wouldn't be walking around the local area with a herd of school mates gossiping about the latest going on's in school that week, it would be sat in front of the TV watching the Reds play home or away from Anfield. I was quite a girly girl growing up so I think it surprises a lot of people when I tell them I love watching football.

Getting My Sass Back

I wrote a post a few weeks ago about how I needed some space and time to myself to get my head together and think.

Most Liked, Most Retweeted and Most Viewed - July 2017

Here's a series about which tweets, photos and blog posts that came out on top during the month. Since I've started blogging, I've become a tiny bit obsessed with statistics. From seeing how many people have viewed and read my blog posts, to seeing how many likes I get on Instagram during the battle of the Instagram algorithm (which stinks by the way). Also which tweet people liked enough to retweet to their followers too.

Fashion Five - Leopard

And no, I don't mean those big cats that live in the jungle. I mean leopard print.
I've always been wary about buying printed shoes. Before now, leopard print would be a no go for me, I never saw the appeal to that sort of print. But one day (sounds like the beginning of a fairytale!) I came across these leopard print loafers from River Island (similar
) and I fell in love with them immediately after I had laid eyes on them.

The World of Blogging

When I first started blogging, I never realised the full extent of how creative you needed to be, how much hard work needs to be put in and the pressure you sometimes feel to produce good content on a daily/weekly/monthly basis.

I Need Space

Yes, I've been on a bit of a downer lately. There's so many different factors that are causing this low-spirited mood at the moment, it makes me feel emotionally drained just thinking about it. I can't even talk to anyone about it right now. But I know, in time, in my own Lucy way, I'll sort myself out and I'll get back to my sassy, fiery, fighting self.

New Website!

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

Yes! Welcome to my newly updated website!

I've been debating about changing my website for a while, as much as Wix did me well since I started blogging last November, I wanted to broaden my horizons, take my blog to the next level. But also the fact I've never had a chance to! Having Cystic Fibrosis does take up a lot of my time, I still find it unbelievable how I manage to write posts on a weekly basis! But blogging is a good distraction for me right now from the strains of having CF, and I really enjoy it too.

I Am Broken

It’s true. I feel broken.

 

It happened when I went for my clinic appointment in the week. I had been feeling so well lately that I thought things would be ok. But one thing I will never learn is that Cystic Fibrosis has the tendency to attack when it bloody well feels like it. Of all the days for my lungs to play up, it was that morning I had to travel 45 minutes to Cardiff to see the CF team. Brilliant.

Summer, Sunburn and Salty Sweat

Summer is here!

The 21st June is Summer Solstice day, which means it’s time to drag the summer furniture out of the garage and stock up on the ice cream and ice lollies. But for people with Cystic Fibrosis, we have to stock up on thing in particular – salt tablets.

Father's Day

Father’s Day is here, a day where people celebrate their loving Dad’s and buy them one of the hundreds of Father’s Day cards that adorn the shelves in many card shops across the UK. You know when Father’s Day is around the corner when you see the Father’s Day section in the supermarket selling ‘Best Dad’ mugs or hundreds of Lynx sets.

A Time For Reflection

For everyone living in the UK, it’s been a tough couple of weeks.

The Manchester attack at the Ariana Grande concert and also the recent London attack have really knocked us for six. We’ve seen and read horrendous things about how each attack happened and it’s made me sick to my stomach and broken my heart what these poor, innocent everyday people went through during these attacks. People have lost loved ones, people know someone who has seen or been caught up amongst all the carnage of each attack. It’s just tragic. I can’t imagine what everybody who has survived is going through right now, of course my heart goes out to them and the victims are in my prayers and thoughts.

Viridity

Definition – Naïve Innocence

Even to this day in society, acting and looking innocent means that you’re naïve, gullible and don’t know anything adult-y at all. Just because you’re not the sort of person who likes to hobble around in ankle-achingly high heels in town at 3am absolutely paralytic or talk about sex comfortably in front of other people, it doesn’t mean you don’t have anything to offer to the conversation.

June

I think I’ve only literally just recovered from last month.

So many good things happened and so many wonderful memories made, I’ve only just finished reflecting from it all.

Fashion Five - Bardot

Here is my second instalment of my fashion series Fashion Five!

I absolutely have a new found love in Bardot tops right now! And with summer almost around the corner, well, I’m writing this as the UK is going through a mini heatwave, they are the perfect summer top to adorn, plus your shoulders get a tan without annoying strap lines!

My Sanctuary

Do you know that place you need to go to when you need to take time out and let your brain breathe?!

You know what I mean, that place you go to where you can just shut the world out around you and put all your problems to the back of your mind for a short period of time. It could be anywhere, whether it be your bedroom, taking a drive in your car or a friend’s house.

Mine is a place where I have to take a 15 minute drive through the country lanes (not doing 90mph like Ed Sheeran would). It’s a place called Goldcliff, or it’s commonly known as the Sea Wall in Newport.

24

I’m writing this after drinking a few vodka and cokes from being at a christening so I’m sure I will be editing this before posting!

 

So yes, last week I turned the big 24, not that it is such a milestone birthday. My actual birthday saw me in work helping the kids write a diary entry about their trip to Bristol Zoo the day before (I also went!) so my birthday on 11th May was a quiet and subdued one, which to me was ideal after the way I celebrated the weekend before with my friends.

Meltdowns are ok, honestly

           Every now and then, this thing called life gets on top of us.

 

So when it all gets that little bit too much, you break down. It doesn’t mean that you’re weak, it means that you have been strong for too long. As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, I wanted to write a post about why having a day where you just have to hate the world and everything about it is ok once in a while.

May Goals

My birthday month is finally here!

Yes, it’s almost time to blow up the balloons and hopefully tuck in to some chocolate birthday cake with a 2 and a 4 candle on top ready to be blown out.

Fashion Five - Culottes

                 I’m starting a new fashion series called Fashion Five!

It’ll be my top five favourite picks of different items of clothing. I’ll be doing one of these posts at least once a month so stay tuned every month for my favourite looks! Plus, it gives me a great excuse to use the amazing Polyvore app on my IPhone to search all different products and brands!

I'll Never Be Her, But She Will Never Be Me

It’s a common, natural thing that we do. Compare.

Whether it is comparing car insurance (don’t start singing the Go Compare advert song, please) or comparing different makeup brands, we all look at different products to see what we like best.
But there is one type of comparison that really sets your mind into overdrive and really kills your confidence and self worth – comparing yourself to someone else.

I Like To Indulge, And Your Problem Is?

One thing I've always noticed, why do some people sometimes take great umbrage when you tell them how much you spend on things?

 

I think liking to buy the more expensive things in life is a nice trait to have. When you work hard for the money you earn from work, why not treat yourself and have an expensive splurge on makeup and clothes?

Mama, I Love You!

“It wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without hearing that extra-cheesy Spice Girls song”.

 

Yes, it’s Mother’s Day. A day where we say thanks to our Mum’s for being utterly amaze-balls throughout the year and our entire lives too.

Why There Is Nothing Wrong With Dressing For Your Size

"Headline news! There’s nothing wrong with buying a bigger size top or pair of trousers!”

Well, it’s technically not headline news, but it’s still utterly ridiculous that even in today’s world if you’re above a size 10 then you’re considered to be a bit on the porky side. You see in online campaigns or TV adverts for lots of other clothing brands, especially underwear brands, they always use the size 6 models who never look like they’ve ever had to deal with the struggles of not having non-flat stomach and cellulite in their thighs.

Why Memories Shouldn't Be Social Media-Rised All The Time

“Let’s face it, we’re all guilty of sharing a LOT of pictures on social media”

Whether it be sharing a snap on Instagram of your latest drunken adventures or Snapchatting a picture of what you’re about to eat in McDonalds. To be honest, some of the pictures people post online defy belief at times.

Five Reasons To Watch Fifty Shades Darker

 

“After what felt like an eternity (well, two years) the next sequel in the Fifty Shades films, Fifty Shades Darker was finally out in the cinemas”

The date was set for me and my friend Lucy to go and watch it and we were both as equally eager to see the film as each other! I’ve read the books so I had a good idea what would happen in the next film. It’s always interesting to see if the film will be as good as the book you’ve read.

How Does It Feel To Have CF?

“If I had a pound for every person that had asked me that very question, I’d be living in Liverpool, drinking rose from my penthouse balcony overlooking the three graces of the city”

But that’s only what dreams are made of unfortunately.

 

So, let’s talk about the title of this post, how does it feel having Cystic Fibrosis? It’s like me asking someone who doesn’t have CF what it’s like to be healthy.

 

Having a life with Cystic Fibrosis is all I know, this is the life I’ve been given. It’s shit but there is nothing I can do about that, I can’t exactly change my genes or anything.  If there was ever a cure for CF, could I live the life of a healthy person? A person who doesn’t have to take tablets every time she eats and not inject herself every morning with insulin or not have to live in fear of the sight of a needle? Abso-bloody-lutely!

Valentine's Day? More Like Vodka Day!

“Valentine’s Day is almost here, and again I shall be single on the day of cupid and love. And do you know what? I don’t care!”

 All the pretty pink stuff is on sale in the supermarkets and all the luscious red roses are all in beautiful bouquets ready to be given to loved ones. To me, it’s just another day. I’d rather call it Vodka Day and toast to the existence of vodka in this world we live in!

Annual Review

It was that time of year again, my yearly MOT”

– and no, I’m not talking about my car. I mean the yearly health MOT I have done at the hospital.
Annual review is the biggest Cystic Fibrosis appointment of the year and it involves a lot of questions, blood tests and any other kind of test the doctors can think of.

Because I'm Happy

The beginning of this week saw us trying to beat reportedly the most depressing day of the year, Blue Monday.”

It’s the time of the month where money gets really tight after the Christmas holidays, you’re struggling to keep to your diet, the keep fit plan is slowly making you want to turn back to eating 3 packets of Maryland cookies.