Blog Reads of July

I'm writing this during a heatwave, or as I call it, Summer and I won't lie, I'm sweltering. July has been an okayish month, but I've got so many good things planned in August, from trips away to just enjoying the Summer! As always, I've refreshed my Bloglovin' feed every day this month to read some new blog posts. I have had quite a few favourites in July so it took me a while to choose which ones to include in this post! However, these are the ones that made the cut:




Blog Reads of July

In Defence Of Instagram

For once, I'm not going to moan about the infamous algorithm! Well, let's see how far I can go without mentioning it in this post...



We had yet ANOTHER Instagram outage the other day, also Facebook and WhatsApp thought they could go one better by doing the same thing on the same day. Tut tut *eye roll*. All I can say is that thank you Twitter for not being an absolute pain in the bum by not having outages left right and centre.

In Defence Of Instagram

Comparing Myself To...Myself

Comparing myself to myself - that's a thinker!



Let me start from the beginning, I did quite a random thing the other night (don’t get any ideas!) I was scrolling through my Instagram, right back to about three years ago when I posted near on everyday. Remembering an innocent time when engagement and likes wasn’t such a hot button issue with me, well, with us all I suppose. I would happily post pictures on there freely, not post on there at a certain time of day when I think the engagement on said photo would rocket (PAH!)

Comparing Myself To...Myself

Taking My Life Back

"Unfuckwithable"

Definition - feel totally in charge of your emotions

and no longer have "good" or "bad" days. 

Recently, I wrote a VERY (capital letters are needed) personal post about moving on. Ok ok, I admit I haven't written THE most upbeat posts in the last month and I kind of apologise for being 'Grumpy'. Before I start singing "Hi-ho, hi-ho", let's get stuck into this post.
Now that I made that decision to move on all by myself (what a very adulty thing for me to do!) and I'm starting to feel good about things, it's time to take control of my life again!




Taking My Life Back

Dress // Boohoo

An Open Letter To The Man I Can't Get Over

Ok, this is probably THE most personal post I have EVER written, I am absolutely cacking myself about hitting the 'Publish' button, but I kind of want and need to, it's time for me to start the closure process. Before you begin reading, I'd make sure you've got a cuppa at hand for this one, it could be a bit of a long read. Before I start -

1) I'm not writing his name.

2) I don't want anyone to ask me what his social media handles are so they can see who it is.

3) This is like a therapeutic and cathartic post for me and I hope I can help someone who maybe going through the same thing as me. 

 

 

Right, that's the legalities/disclaimer out of the way, let's begin.

 

 

Blog Reads of June

Well, June has been a complete wash-out hasn't it?! The weather has been beyond terrible and I'm literally praying to see a bit of sunshine at some point in July *fingers crossed* . It's been an up and down month, mentally, not brilliant, but I'm hoping things are on the up and July will be a great month for me.

Blog Reads of June

As always, I've been scouring Bloglovin' and reading countless blog posts, but here are my favourite reads in June -

Tea Solves Everything

*Gifted items in this post - see disclaimer below.

 

Lost your shit over Hermes not delivering your parcel? - Have a cuppa

Broken the hoover? - Have a cuppa

Had your house robbed? - Have a cuppa

The world is about to end? - Have a cuppa

Tea Solves Everything

When Do You Tell Someone That You Have An Illness?

Ooh, tricky. It is difficult to judge when the time is right to tell someone you have a chronic illness. Whether it be a new boyfriend/girlfriend, a new boss, or that work colleague Sandra who always takes a handful of Digestives for her cuppa and never leaves any for you (greedy bitch), it's always hard to decide when to bite the bullet and just say what exactly is wrong with you.


I won't lie, I've put myself through the wringer trying to tell someone I have Cystic Fibrosis. I think it's that person's initial reaction when I blurt it out that makes me the most angst and nervous. Will they take it well? Will they only just give you that pitiful head tilt and say "Aww bless!" Or will they be an absolute bum fluff and ask you questions like "Can you die from that?" (drawing from personal experience there)

When do you tell someone you that you have an illness? 

Insta vs Reality

Now boys and girls, it's time to teach you the lesson of how everyone you see on Instagram isn't all that it's cracked up to be.


Behind every selfie, there are hidden insecurities, secret battles or concealed hints of self doubt.
I look at myself and see flaws and imperfections that I wish to keep away from the prying eyes of Insta users. There's that anticipated fear of being judged for the way I look, I can't be the only person who feels this way.



Love Island: Why I Can't Stand It!

June 3rd saw the start of Love Island. Whilst everyone is already loving who's going to go off with who and be literally glued to ITV2 for the next 8 weeks, I do have a confession to make - I bloody hate the show!


I have tried to watch it once before, I'm not like one of those kids who won't try a kiwi because they don't like the look of it. When I did watch it though, I turned it off after about 8 minutes because I could literally feel my IQ level dramatically hit the floor as time went on. Now, I'm not the brightest bulb in the lamp, but I felt like Joey Essex after a few minutes of watching it. Some of the things that were being said on there just blew my mind - and not in a good way.

Losing A Pet

Ok, I'm going to challenge myself not to reach for the box of Kleenex tissues while writing this post! Possibly easier said than done, but we'll give it a go.


For those who haven't looked at my social media profiles lately because you were on a social media detox or something like that, my beautiful cat Charlie passed away at the end of May. He was a huge part of my life for 11 years and I miss him very much. Me and my Mam made the heartbreaking decision to have him put to sleep due to ill health. He had an operation back in April to have a couple of teeth taken out and he wasn't the same since that day. It looked like he had developed cancer over a short period of time and eventually it just took over.

Blog Reads of May

My birthday month is over, it's been quite an up and down month for me. The end of the month hasn't ended so brightly as I have been struggling with a lot of things. Also having my cat Charlie put to sleep due to ill health has really got me into such a heartbroken state and my emotions are all over the place! Hopefully June will bring me a lot more happiness!
Anyway, let's get on with what this blog post is about, here are my favourite blog reads of May:

The Florist, Bristol

Recently, I attended House 21's magazine launch event at The Florist in Bristol. As I'm a contributor for the online magazine, I was invited by the lovely ladies and creators of House 21 Mel and Donna to the launch event alongside other amazing contributors to celebrate our fabulousness over scrumptious food and Instagrammable cocktails.

Dress // Zara

Sandals // New Look

Anxiety: My Secret Battle

I'll never forget the first one - sat on my bed, dressed in my school uniform, feeling more apprehensive than normal about going to school -

 

"What was I going to be ridiculed for that day?"

"Who was I going to be sat by in my English lesson?"

"I know they'll be talking about me again"

 

These thoughts and more kept circulating in my head, more than usual. My breathing was quickening and I was shaking, I felt like I couldn't move. I thought I was just having a wobble, a moment if you will. However, these little "wobbles" become more frequent, and I'm not talking about my thighs. Little did I realise I was suffering from anxiety attacks.

Is Reality TV Jeopardising People's Mental Health?

With the news coming through this week that a guest passed away a week after filming on the Jeremy Kyle Show and now that the shows has been axed for good, it has definitely raised some worrying concerns about how TV shows handle mental health.


Obviously there is a lot of speculation circling about the circumstances surrounding this person's death. It's incredibly sad and if it is due to this person's mental health, then a lot of people need to have a long hard look at themselves.

Yes, There Is Such A Thing As A Mid Mid-Life Crisis!

Mid Mid-Life Crisis
Definition - a series of life changing events that occur around 25-30 years of age.

Before we start, IT'S MA BIRTHDAY! Happy Birthday to little old me!

I turned 25 last year and had a meltdown. I'm turning 26 today and I'm now feeling the same emotions as I did this time last year. Possibly even worse. It has also dawned on me that I'm closer to the age of 30 rather than 20. Dear God.

Hiding Our Likes, A Good Idea?

"Let's see how well this photo I've posted has done today - WHY HAVEN'T YOU SHOWN MY PHOTO TO EVERYONE INSTAGRAM?! - YOU BASTARD!"

Ok, mini sweary rant over. Apart from Insta being a pain in the backside for not showing my new post to my followers AGAIN, they have caused a little bit of a debate as they have announced they are trialling a new update. This update is going to 'hide your likes'. Basically Instagram have said that this will help your followers enjoy your photos. Hmm, I've always thought that was the whole point of Instagram anyway, but hey, what do I know?!

InstaStyle by Tezza

Blog Reads of April

I posted my first 'Blog Reads Of' post this time last year so happy birthday to this series of mine! Hopefully it can still continue to bring blogger's together and get others mentioned and highlighted like they deserve to be!

Here are my favourite posts from April (in no particular order!):

My Travel Wanderlust List

I'm never really sure as to whether I like the phrase 'bucket list'. A bucket list sounds so much more final to me, I think it kind of stems from that phrase 'kicking the bucket'. I'd rather call it a 'wanderlust' list. It sounds more positive and more mystical to me.


I wrote a post about the destinations I'd love to visit in Europe a while back, but I'd thought I would kind of expand on that and write about the place I want to visit outside of Europe. With all the furore of Brexit, it might allow us to discover new places outside of Europe. Now, there are places on the previous list I've written that I would absolutely still love to visit and be a tourist in, these places are definite travel goals in my life!

Swimsuit // Figleaves

The Castell Mynach, Pontyclun

*Ad - see disclaimer at the end of the post

When going out to eat, I'm always looking for places that aren't part of a big chain. I get fed up sometimes of having a cheeky Nando's or delving through the salad bar at the Harvester. I like going to the places that don't get tagged in people's Facebook statuses or Insta stories.


So when the Castell Mynach pub restaurant contacted me about going to their restaurant for lunch, it was a no brainer. Like I said, I'm always eager to try new places, it's good to give local businesses a chance rather than just keep going to the same big food chains all the time!

Looking Young For My Age - An Advantage?

I can confirm that I will never look the age I'm meant to be. Youthful looks have meant I still get ID'd for alcohol or even for scratch cards, being ID'd for scratch cards I do find insulting. I know I look young, but I know I DO NOT look under 16.

Then at 15 - Now at 25

Even though it's a pain to look younger for my age at times, is there a way I can use it to my advantage? I mean, people say that "you'll be thankful for your younger looks later" and that is true, it's kind of like we've been given a 'gift'. Let's look at the pro's of looking younger for my age:

Travelling with CF

Even packing away for just a two day weekend, I get myself into such a tizz in making sure I've packed everything.

Swimsuit // Figleaves

One episode of Friends in particular reminds me of this. The episode where they're all off to London to see Ross get married to Emily, Monica says "Check!" after she packs everything in her bag - that is exactly like me. Also along with that, I have a paper checklist, I tick it once I've packed an item I need and also literally open my suitcase to double check AGAIN to make sure I got the essential things I need for the next two days; that's just clothes and makeup, I'm even worse when medication gets involved!

Five Feet Apart: A Film EVERYONE Needs To Watch

WARNING - SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT

With all the hype surrounding the new film about CF, Five Feet Apart as a must see for me in the cinema last weekend. Last time I went to see a film was Fifty Shades Freed last year, two VERY contrasting films and romances. I obviously took the risk just in case there was someone with CF in the same screening as me. There wasn't many other people in the screening thankfully and we were all sat quite far away from each other - well, at least five feet apart.

Blog Reads of March

I've loved reading so many blog posts this month, it was so hard to whittle down my choices to these beauties!

I’m Stuck In-between a Rock and a Hard Place...

...in terms of my career. I’m a qualified childcare worker and it’s been printed on my CV ever since I created one in college in the library (well, it’s been updated quite a lot since then) I always thought it was what I wanted to do. However, I think I’ve been completely blindsided by this and I feel I’ve missed out on the opportunities to go further in my career. Not that I want to become a teacher, there’s too much stress on teachers these days to get results and there’s too much paperwork, something I’m defo not marvellous at. All I know is that I’m stuck, I’m becoming stale.

Happiness is my number one priority

I was in work the other day and the teacher asked me to play Pharrell Williams - Happy on YouTube for when the kids came in to class as they have a dance-athon on a Friday. This guys and gals is something I am all for. I click play on the video and I'm bopping along with the kids, probably more than they were and it really set me up for the morning ahead. They say it's the little things that make you happy - and that's how it should be.


Happiness should be everybody's number one priority. Whatever you consider to be your own personal happiness, you should always strive for, despite the circumstances. However, that is definitely easier said than done.

"Yeah I'm fine, just tired"

This is usually my response when someone asks me if I'm ok or just look withdrawn. I can imagine that's our main response when we don't feel ourselves, given how busy our lives are, it's not surprising that we're feeling the strain of tiredness. Some days I need matchsticks to hold up my eyelids and about a quarter of a tube of concealer to cover my darkened eyes.

Nightshirt // Boux Avenue

I love sleep like the next person. Sometimes I'm an early riser, especially when I have to go to work, the 6am alarm is a killer. I feel like chucking my phone across the room when the alarm goes off! On the weekends however, I'm like a hedgehog and will sleep for as long as I can! I'm a complete lazy bugger on Saturday and Sunday, well, I've got to make the most of my sleeping time haven't I?!



CF has it's part to play with my tiredness, taking about 20 different medications, doing physiotherapy twice a day and exercising for an hour a day, wouldn't you be knackered as well?!



As it's World Sleep Day today, I thought it would be an ideal post to offer some tips on how to overcome the tiredness that creeps upon us everyday:

EAT  OFTEN

So apparently eating regularly can improve your sleep. Hmm, this one took me a little while to figure out why, but I kind of get it now. Rather than eating a huge meal less often throughout the day, if you eat regular meals along with healthy snacks every 3-4 hours, then it can give you lots of energy to get your through the day. Eating every 3-4 hours is always going to sound good though isn't it?!

 

 

 

KEEP  ON  MOVING

Even though exercising will be the last thing on your mind when you are feeling absolutely shattered and you feel like you can sleep for 4 days, however, exercising can really boost your energy levels, making feel less tired over the day. I love exercising anyway and when I don't feel like sweating my tits off on the treadmill, sometimes a good workout can really wake me up and feel more motivated to do things!

 

 

 

SLEEP  WELL

Ok, don't give me that look, hear me out a minute. Getting enough sleep at night will (obviously) give you enough energy for the next day. A couple of ways to help get a good night's sleep at night is to have a bedtime routine and also winding down before going to bed. Maybe a Lush bath bomb bath and a good book should do the trick, well, it does for me anyway.

 

 

 

 





KEEP  HYDRATED

One fact I have learnt from going to about 547 hospital appointments in my lifetime (an estimated guess, I'm not keeping count I swear!) is keeping hydrated can have so many health benefits, one of which is to help tiredness. It's good to drink plenty of water after exercising, as you're replacing the energy cells that disappear after pounding on the treadmill or going on a several mile run.

 

 

 

 

 

What are your tips and advice on overcoming tiredness?

 

 

 

Lucy

 

 

 

 

*This post contains affiliate links, to find out more about this, read my disclaimer.

Let's Talk Smear Tests

Let me ask you this, you're willing to go through the sheer pain of waxing your bikini line which, let's be honest, stings like a bitch, but you can't spare two minutes for a test that could potentially save your life? Hmm, let's get some waxed vag perspective here.

About two months ago, I had my first ever smear test. I won't lie to you, I'd been putting it off for God knows how long, I always came up with the same excuses "I'll be fine" or "It's too embarrassing, I don't want a nurse seeing my bits!"

Women Who Inspire Me

"Who run the world?! - GIRLS"



I can imagine this Queen B song will be played across radios and quoted by a lot of women in their tweets today. It's International Women's Day and it's a day to celebrate women alike. I'm sure a few blogger's are going to be writing similar posts to this one today, but there are women who inspire me and they just need a shoutout! Here are the women that inspire me:

MY  MAM

Without a doubt the most inspiring women in my life. What can I say, this woman is bloody incredible! She has brought me up with true values and principles which have carried me through my life so far. She taught me to find that inner strength I didn't realise I had, she's made me laugh through the tough times with her (sometimes crappy) jokes and is the one person I can count on for anything. It's also because of her that I support Liverpool Football Club. That's the biggest inspiration she could have ever have given me - and the best.  

 

 

MY  GIRLS

Yas, my besties are just fabulous. I don't know where I would be without them. From listening to my ever-growing problems to drinking cocktails until we can barely walk. My friends have given me the most amazing memories, some I will truly never forget. Whether I've known them just two years (my Scwelsh Sam and fellow Danny Ings fan-girl Katie), met them through college seven years ago (Gabby), met them through my illness (hiya Tash!) , went to Melwood with them (Saffron) , met them through my tiring childcare job (Lucy no.2) or they've been by my side for 22 LONG years (yes Woodruff, I mean you!) thank you for being my inspirations. You're my sweethearts and I love yas to bits.

 

 

MY  COLLEGE  TUTORS

I'm not sure if my old college friends would agree with me on this one, but hear me out. When I first started college, I thought that there was no way I could ever pass the two courses I took in my three years there. I'm not the brightest star in the sky and I think I literally have no common sense. However, the guidance that my college tutors gave me and inspiring me to keep going when I wanted to give up is something I'll always be grateful to them for. I've always said that college made me the person I am today; it's down to them.

 

 

BLOGGING  FRIENDS

I've said it once and I'll say it again, all my blogger friends are wonderful. They inspire me to keep writing when I just feel like my content is s**t and just want to stop writing altogether. One girl I want to mention in particular is Julia. What an absolute beaut of a girl she is! I never would have known that when we started responding to each other's tweets that we would become good friends a couple of years later, drinking rose overlooking Albert Dock (we're due a catch up soon, love!). She is doing such amazing things, from working full time alongside her new business, she is an inspiration to me.

 

 

 

MEGHAN  MARKLE

This woman is just a fantastic role model for feminism. Plus she's married to Prince Harry. She's one lucky woman. I love how she has continued to fight for feminism whilst she's married in the Royal Family, it's just incredible. I need to say that the Queen is definitely another inspiration to us all, well, she's the most powerful woman in the world, how could she not be an inspiration to us?

 

 

Who are the women that inspire you?

 

 

Lucy







But how does my hair look?

I'm a real stickler when it comes to my hair, it's got to look absolutely banging before I leave the house. I remember the days in comp when our side fringes had to be VERY STRAIGHT, not just straight. If we wore our hair in a ponytail, it had to be slicked right back, not one single strand of hair had to be out of place. Maybe my obsession draws from my time in comp, watching girls obsess over their hair.


Don't get me wrong, I'm not super strict with my hair routine, it's always super scruffy when I go to the gym. It looks even worse by the time I leave the gym. I won't straighten my hair now unless it's absolutely necessary eg. if I'm going 'out-out' or going somewhere important. It's just damaging my hair if I straighten it everyday. Plus it's a waste of time when I'm just going to be slobbing out in my jogger's watching Jezza Kyle.


So how have I been looking after my hair lately? I'm glad you asked (ok, I asked myself that, but follow my lead will ya?)


Let's do a mini throwback, I won a Boux Avenue competition a while back (thank you for your congrats) , the prize included a (now spent) £100 Boux Avenue voucher - BOOM! Also it included a box of hair goodies from Grow Gorgeous. I'll admit, it's a brand I've never heard of before, but it's hair care products, I'm always willing to try anything new.

I've been using the shampoo and leave in conditioner for a while now and I must say - I AM IN TOTAL LOVE. The smell of the shampoo is just so heavenly, you do have to use a good decent blob of it however, but it lathers lovely in my hair and it smells gorgeous (did I mention that already?) . I do use another conditioner after that for my (endless) split ends. After I towel dry my hair, I grab the leave in conditioner, you pump out 2-5 times, depending on the length of the hair and smooth it through to the ends.

When I use the hairdryer afterwards, I can notice the shine immediately after I've full dried my hair.


Would I recommend this brand? Abso-bloody-lutely! Grow Gorgeous products have completely revamped my hair and it's given the much needed nourishment it's been crying out for for so long.

I've just started using the Thickening Hair and Scalp Mask and Hair Growth Serum. I'll let you know about the results of them another time. Maybe on my Insta Stories.

I may not be the best person at applying makeup or remembering to exfoliate every week, but when it comes to hair care, I like to be right at the top of my game!

Let me know if you use Grow Gorgeous products or let me know what you use on your hair!

 

 

Lucy

 

 

 

*These products I won in a competition on Boux Avenue's Instagram page, I wasn't obliged in any way to write a post about Grow Gorgeous Haircare.

Once Upon A Time, I Had A Frigging Fantastic February!

It's not very often I can say that I have had a fabulous February. Usually my birthday month of May is the best one (obvs!) but even my birthday month is going to have to be pretty damn special to beat February 2019.

I've seen a boost in my confidence which I lost a while ago. I'm feeling happier and more content with myself, I feel like I can conquer the world again, like I wrote in this post a little while back.

I just want to focus on all the things that make me feel positive and distance myself away from all the negative things.

I'm a strong believer in positive mindsets, I want to keep in that mindset for the rest of 2019. Hopefully it can stay that way.

So yes, what have I been up to this month that has made me think that it's been frigging amazing?!

A  MINI  TRIP  TO  LIVERPOOL | 3RD - 5TH

I visited my happy place at the start of the month, this trip stood out for me in particular. I overcame some bad anxiety beforehand and made the trip up even though I wasn't feeling my best. As I walked along The Strand and Pier Head, I found myself beaming from ear to ear. The witnessing the picturesque skyline made my anxiety disappear within a flash.

From meeting friends over some banging food to shopping in town to completely slogging around in my hotel room eating prawn cocktail crisps and drinking rose, I'd say I had a pretty good weekend!

ANNUAL  REVIEW | 15TH

Ok, I know what you're all thinking - "Why the hell would a hospital appointment make it into your favourite moments in February?!" Well I'll tell ya, because it went so bloody well, that's why! Lung function was good, weight was good, the small cyst on my liver hasn't grown any bigger and I've miraculously grown a centimetre in height, how could I not be happy?



Annual review update - lung function down by 2% (2.61 today compared to before Xmas when it was 2.65)
Weight is around the same, ultrasound scan looks good, the doctors have taken every single sample they can think of from me and they gave me a free cooked dinner 😆 @CFAware

— Lucy Taylor (@LucyMaryTaylor) February 13, 2019

In between these two highlights, I had some bad news about my job, which I won't go into now as I want this post to be a happy one!

MY  SECOND  BLOGGING  EVENT | 24TH

I went to my second blogging/networking event in Cardiff with House 21 again. I so much enjoyed the last event that I was eager to come to the next one. From drinking tea and eating avocado on toast (how very bloggery!) to listening to some inspirational ladies give talks on how they have become so successful and are working towards their aspirations, it really inspired for the following week ahead. Meeting like-minded people really gives me the confidence to strive for what I really want in life. Hmm, I wonder when the next event is?

 

A  MORNING  AT  BBC  WALES | 25TH

Less than 24 hours after being in Cardiff, I was back in the capital city again going to BBC Wales to do a spot of filming for BBC Sesh. The video should be online within the next week or so. No, I am not going to tell you what I talked about! One thing I can say is that I hope I can help people who struggle with this certain problem. One of the highlights has got to be filming in the room where the Doctor Who props are kept. Yes, I couldn't resist having my photo taken with a Dalek and the Tardis. Literally had to fight the temptation to shout "EXTERMINATE" when I stood next to it.

So to the other months which lie ahead of me in 2019, you better step up and prove February wrong.

Let me know your favourite moments from February!

Lucy

Blog Reads of February

Posting this a little earlier than I normally would! But here are my favourite posts from February!

1) Why Blogging Awards Are A Welcome Tradition Within Our Network | Petite Ellie

I seriously loving reading this lovely girl's posts, they're so straight to the point and positive. This post that Ellie wrote about blogging awards had me nodding in agreement all the way through. This industry is still mocked and laughed at, even though the progression of the blogging/influencer industry has grown so much in recent years. Ellie is right, we should celebrate and recognise blogger's who work their butt off all year round to create amazing content, blogging awards are the ONE. The Blogosphere Awards are currently open for nominations, get voting for your favourite bloggers NOW. (Sorry for the shouty capitals)

 

 

2) Let's Talk About: Being Single on Valentine's Day | Abigail Talks About

I've been single on V-Day for years now, yep, quite depressing to say out loud. I love how Abigail has put her spin on being a singleton on the international day of love. There are so many perks that Abigail has listed here that I'm pretty much glad I stayed single on Valentines! From not forking out god knows how much money on gifts, to eating and wearing whatever I well please. My favourite has to be cuddling up with your fur babies, which is exactly what I did. I ended up with a porky black and white cat by the name of Charlie curled up on my nap. Bliss for me. Thank you Abigail for making singletons see that there are always perks to being single on V-Day!

 

 

3) How To Overcome Blogger's Block | The Sunday Mode

A must read for a blogger struggling with this. That feeling when you can't think of anything to write as a blogger is one of the worst feelings. I've suffered from it and it's not nice, you feel your creative mind has turned to mush and you feel like you can't get your creativity back. I love this post that Julia has written about to overcome that blogger's block. I'm glad I'm not the only one who writes in a passive voice! When I do a grammar check on my posts before publishing, that's one of the error's that always crops up. One suggestion that Julia has mentioned is listening to podcasts. Podcasts has become a new found love for me, I definitely will listen to them more when I get a case of blogger's block.

 

 



4) Something To Get You Inspired For Spring | From Roses

Ok, this post may only have two sentences, but these absolutely beautiful and aesthetically pleasing photo's of flowers are definitely worth the look. I've followed Rebecca for a long time now and her photography is just stunning and inspirational to say the least. I love Spring, a time of year for blossoming flowers, Easter eggs, rabbits, luscious green grass and two weeks off work for the Easter Holidays. Hmm, Spring is definitely one of my favourite parts of the year.

 

5) Love or Loneliness? | Hello October

I've written about being single recently on Valentine's Day. I've mouthed the words "I'm going to be alone forever LOL" plenty of times in the past. Usually when I'm feeling down or someone I know is getting engaged or getting a puppy with their partner. One thing that Suzie has written is that V-Day is just a day, it's no different to any other day with your partner. You can celebrate as many relationships as you bloody well have, but the one thing that struck a chord with me is the most important relationship you have is the one with yourself. Abso-bloody-lutely! And that's how it should be!

 

 

6) I Can't Be That Blogger Girl | Sinead Kathryn

I scroll through Instagram daily and I see all these bloggers posing in front of Peggy Porschen or outside a telephone box in London, it makes me realise that I cannot be that blogger girl, this is why I loved reading Sinead's post so much, I could completely relate to it. Like Sinead, I started blogging as a hobby, me barely knowing that I could make money from it. Also like Sinead, I compare my flatlay's and OOTD photos with other bloggers and I fully know that I can't even begin to imagine to take amazing photos like those bloggers do. However, I'm happy as I am right now, that's all that matters!

 

 

Let me know your favourite blog posts from this month below!

 

 

Lucy









How I Tripled My Monthly Unique Users On Pinterest

I love Pinterest, I get so much inspiration from it, as I’ve written in this post before. I’ve always gotten great use out of the app. Whether it's for blogging photo inspo or outfit ideas.

However, I’ve seen so many different bloggers ask about how best to capitalise on Pinterest and how to get the monthly unique users number to increase. I've seen so many bloggers say that they get the most traffic to their blog from Pinterest. I sit there with the most perplexed face staring at my phone screen, literally mouthing the words "What. The. F*ck?"


Recently, I've read this post about ways to master Pinterest by Vix so I'm going to treat her post like a Bible page to get my Pinterest up and running proper.


Let's get back to the title of this post, what I've found it's easier to increase your monthly unique users (you'll need a Pinterest business account to look at those stats). I have basically tripled mine through trial and error. My monthly unique users went down to 5,000 from 30,000 and I couldn’t understand why! I’d been pinning pictures, ok, maybe I had slacked quite a bit in the pinning department.

But a couple of weekends ago, I decided to organise my Pinterest boards, which were frankly in a bit of a mess. I didn’t like the fact that all my pictures and boards were in disarray. I’m a bit like Monica Gellar when it comes to organisation skills.


So after I deleted some boards which I looked at and thought “Why the hell did I save pins like this?!” They were pictures nobody was going to give a shit about so why keep them?


Then it was time to organise some boards into different sections. For example, all my dream rooms eg living rooms, kitchens etc got sent straight to a board called 'INTERIORS' , now all my dream kitchens, bathrooms and offices are stored all under one board.

A lot of people will read this and will turn their lazy mode on when they think of all the hard work and time this will take. I'll always be honest with you my lovelies, it doesn't take more than 5 MINUTES. I promise you, so turn off your lazy mode and get cracking!


I am in no way a Pinterest expert. I will never claim to be one, or claim to be an expert in anything for that matter. Maybe an expert in popping pills for my CF. I digressed then...ah yes, like I said, I'm no expert with Pinterest, more like a novice, but I've written this post based on my experience with the platform.

Let me know if you have any tips or advice about how to get the best out of Pinterest. You may be able to help others who read this post too (as well as me!)

 

 

 P.S - here's the link to my Pinterest

 

 

Lucy

Yes I'm Single - And Your Problem Is?

I've been single for a while now, I'm not ashamed to admit that. It's not like I'm going to cop off with the first man I see in the pub or meet every single man I like on Tinder (I don't have Tinder btw, not my cup of tea) the right man will come around eventually. I do believe in fate and that what is meant to be will happen. If it doesn't happen, it's not meant to be, a lesson which I have definitely learnt over the last couple of years.

T Shirt // New Look

However, I tell people that I'm not seeing anyone and they automatically give your this response -

"Ooh we'll have to set you up with someone!"

 

 

Yeah, probably they're weirdo friend who collects stamps as a hobby or their next door neighbour who owns a pet snake.

No I don't want to be set up thank you very much, I'd rather be alone than try and enforce a connection with someone who thinks he's got a chance of getting his leg over.

This is my point, I don't want to be set up with that weirdo friend or neighbour. Let me find my own man in my own time and way.

Some people (and I'm not including everyone in this statement) seem to have a problem if you're single in your mid-twenties. They think you should have about 3 kids, be married, have your own house and potter around the house with the Dyson. Well, not in that exact order, but you get what I mean. Yes, a few of my friends are already doing that, which makes me so happy because they deserve nothing but happiness. But I would never tell them before now that they should go out and meet someone and have lots of babies. That is kind of intrusive.

I'm a firm believer in letting nature take its course. When things happen, it'll happen because they're meant to happen. You can't force fate.

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to be single forever. I don't want to be the old lady who owns about 17 cats. I'll find the right man and it'll be better because I found and met him myself and not been set up to meet him.

 

If you're single, do you get hassled about it?

 

 

 

Lucy

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I Needed To Find My Confidence Again

I've just come back from a(nother) trip to Liverpool and as much as I thoroughly enjoyed meeting friends, strolling around and blowing my wages (oops), I travelled up for a little personal reason of my own - to gain my confidence back.


Near the end of last year, I kind of lost that little bit of 'oomph' , for want of a better word. I feel like my anxiety is creeping back into my life after I firmly slammed the door in it's face in 2016. I made a little pinky promise to myself that for 2019 all that was going to change.

I want to do a mini throwback to the 2nd February, pre Liverpool eve, I encountered something which I haven't had in a very long time - an anxiety episode. The morning started with me getting some news which would affect my plans in Liverpool, so that threw me in a spin, then trying to pack ready for the next day and also getting an upsetting email really wound me up into a state of upset, with some tears and panicky breathing thrown in for good measure. I literally found myself saying - "I don't want to go to Liverpool tomorrow". Also - "I can't do it, what if something bad happens?!" This WAS NOT like me in the slightest. Liverpool is my happy place, why the hell would I not want to go?! Anxiety is a powerful thing, sadly.  


Even before going to bed that night, I still didn't feel confident enough in going. But it's hella amazing how much a good nights sleep can change your frame of mind. The next morning, I felt eager to get my suitcase packed and I couldn't wait to book a taxi to the train station. 

Like I said at the beginning, I needed to go away to get that much needed confidence back that I have kind of lost over the last year or so.


I'm so happy that I fought back against my anxiety and braved the cold weather of the Royal Albert Dock and slogged out in my Premier Inn hotel room.

I never really talk about anxiety, I suffer from it terribly and because CF is the main focus in my life health-wise, anxiety comes a distant second to that. However, after two glasses of Echo Falls rose, I found myself pouring my heart out on my Instagram Stories talking about the day before where I was feeling so frantic and panicky. I'm not saying the alcohol influenced me to do that, but you know,  It felt very cathartic and therapeutic for me to do that, even though I haven't got thousands and upon thousands of Instagram followers.


Oh yes, I did have a lovely two days in Liverpool thank you! A much needed catch up with friends and a lengthy walk around my happy place really has made me feel fabulous and I feel I can conquer the world once again!




I look like I've given myself an emo haircut here

 

Lucy