Drawing a Line & Starting Anew

Found on Google Images

As another year draws to a close I'm drawing a line underneath it. Turning a fresh, clean, page of an unwritten book and beginning, in media res, once more. 2014 wasn't bad, in fact there were a lot of positives, but towards the end I felt myself get a bit lost and carried away with the momentum. Without trying to sound too overly romantic or dramatic, I feel a bit wayward with who I am, what I want, and where I need to be, and feel like I have compensated for this unidentified feeling of late in material things, working too much for so little, and so on.

I've neglected my lovely little blog, neglected my health, begun to push aside the people who mean the most and pretended so many times that I'm ok. Ok isn't good enough. In fact it's worse than being just fine. It's not happy, incredible or brilliant. It's just ok. I'm just ok.

My little head has finally realised that I deserve to be more than ok, that I don't have to work so many hours, and that taking time out is a good thing. So 2015, I'm coming for you...for me. I don't owe anything to anybody (well apart from the bank!), certainly not my workplace, and certainly the world does not owe anything to me. But I'm going into this new year in a resettled frame of mind, and wow, let's make it a good one...!

I've just finished compelling my bucket list, as I do year on year, and you can have a read though it above if you'd like and see if we have any of the same goals/hopes/wishes. Just click on '215 Things For 2015'.

A very happy new year to you all <3

Blogmas Day Eleven: Getting Cosy With My Little Box

Winter is undoubtedly the season for feeling your cosiest. I, for one, absolutely adore the winter months so I was so excited to see that the latest My Little Box (November edition) was a cosy themed edition. This is my 3rd box from the company and i'll be completely honest and say that if they carry on with how undoubtedly gorgeous their boxes have been then I'll probably become a subscriber for life. There's not a single thing in any of my previous two boxes that I've not loved, or not used!

Like every month before this one, I've received a pretty little print with an inspirational saying on it, and like every month before this one, this now lives on my wall above my dressing table. Pretty soon I'm going to get a collage frame when I've received enough boxes and put that on the wall. Super cute!

The products in this box were definitely well suited to the theme, and you can tell that a lot of thought and love has gone into compiling these boxes. I received:

- An espresso mug
- A wheat warmer
- My Little Box's own brand mascara
- An eyeliner
- A Yves Rocher eyeshadow
- My Little World magazine
- Inspirational print

I have to say that even though I love the idea of everything in this box, I don't drink coffee so can't use the mug for it's full intended purpose (although I have had a mini hot chocolate in there for when I needed a little warming up), and I don't have a microwave so I can't use the wheat warmer (although I really want to! I think I'm going to take this to my Mum's house at Christmas and use it there). But the makeup products were right up my street and I've been using them to create a simple brown smokey eye for work that accentuates my blue eyes.

If you're not already signed up to My Little Box then I truly believe you're missing out. I cancelled my Birchbox and Glossybox in order to solely receive this one and I think that says something! 3 boxes in and I'm in love!

Are you a fan of subscription boxes? Which are your favourite?

#Blogmas Day Six: What's In My Work Bag?

Morning :) I've woken up to a frost covered wonderland, brrr what a chilly day!

Seeing as a I work in a bit of an unconventional job, I thought it'd be fun to show you the inside of my work bag today because it doesn't contain the necessary items that say an office worker would need (paperwork, laptop etc etc). More often than not I do also have some bits of paperwork in my bag so that I can read up about new promotions, the updated cash policy and so on, but for confidentiality and company policy reasons I can't show them to you here.

Anyhow, I'm currently sporting a Ted Baker Large Bow Shopper as my work bag. It's patent, spash proof and is big enough for me to fit in my huge management development folders that I need for my promotion, just perfect! I chose a black bag because it's hard to pair anything bright and wintery with a grey skirt a a mustard yellow belt (but that's a rant about my uniform that I'll save for another day!).

Inside my bag you'll find my hat, apron and the QRG, which is basically a McDonald's bible that has all the nitty bitty information inside of it that I need to know on a daily basis to help me run the restaurant. Like how long it takes to toast a hamburger bun, and on what compression setting I should have my toasters at and other such information. I'm forever praying that I don't have to go into the kitchen though because I'm clumsy and end up burning myself a lot!

You'll also find bits of stationery in my bag for when I'm working my admin days and looking after the restaurant's training. I use a Jack Wills makeup case as my pencil case which houses many highlighters, black biros and Sharpie markers (and of course my precious Tip-Ex Mouse!). I have my Employee of The Month sticky note set for reminders to my training squad and apprentices, and also my Erin Condren life planner which does exactly that: it holds my entire life inside of it!
I also, of course have a selection of lip products usually floating about in my bag, and a pocket mirror to help me apply them. I also usually carry a mini deodorant and a spare pair of tights too but neither of those were in my bag when I took my photos!

Finally I will usually have some kind of snack in my bag to munch either while I walk to work, or walk home from work (9 hours on your feet is hungry work!). This time I had yoghurt coated fruit flakes, yummy! Of course I carry my keys with me so that I can actually get home after a long day, and some delightful cotton candy body spray and a mini Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream rollerball perfume to keep me smelling sweet throughout the day. My final item in my bag is my personal McBible that I'm using to house all of the passwords for the computer programmes that we use, as well as any financial and business information about the restaurant that I need to learn for my promotion. I don't know what I'd do without it!

What do you carry in your work bag?

Blogmas Post 3: The Magical Orlando Tag

Credit

On this day in history: Walt Disney would have been celebrating his birthday, having been born on December 5th 1901. I, like millions of other Disney addicts across the world will be celebrating this day in honour of the man who changed the face of animation and children's lives for generations to come. I've grown up with Disney films, owning them on VHS, belting out  soundtracks to audio sing-a-long books and worn numerous items Disney branded clothing (Pocahontas leggings, anyone?). I'm almost 24, and my adoration for all things Disney knows no boundaries, in fact although I might sip a cider whilst watching Cinderella nowadays, I still long for those times past when I'd be tucked up in bed with a mini hot chocolate and staring at the beauty of Mulan or Belle.

What better way to celebrate this day than with The Magical Orlando Tag, hosted by FloridaTix in celebration of their new and improved website (a website that I have used personally in the past to plan my visits to Orlando attractions, I'd definitely recommend it!). Whilst this tag is not Disney exclusive, it incorporates my other great literary and cinematic love, Harry Potter, and a selection of the other amazing attractions that Orlando, Florida have to offer. Are you sitting comfortably? Then let us begin...

1. Which Hogwarts house would you be sorted into?

I'm already a member of Pottermore and ended up being sorted into Slytherin on the site. I'm not sure this would translate in real life as I'd say I'm more of a Ravenclaw: I'm bookish, witty and eager to learn all that I can about anything and everything. I've always been academic, and a bit of a self confessed over achiever, but Slytherin's are characterised as being cunning, resourceful and ambitious, again traits I would identify with. I guess I wouldn't want to choose, and ultimately wish the Sorting Hat would do it for me! 

2. Name a Disney character you’d like to have dinner with.

A bit unconventional, because although my first instinct was to mention any of of the beautiful Disney Princesses, I would absolutely love to have dinner with the merry band of ruffians Rapunzel comes across in the Snuggly Duckling in Tangled. I can bet that they'd show you a good time and definitely have many a story to tell to while away the evening. We could sing and dance and talk about each other's dreams! 

3. Which Marvel superhero power would you choose?

I think I'd like to have a go at being The Invisible Woman for the day. Reading her biography is like reading the life work's of a nobel prize winner. She can render herself invisible at will, make objects explode and erect invisible, near indestructible force fields. Wow. 

4. If you could bring back one dinosaur breed from Jurassic Park, which would it be?

I really don't like dinosaurs, so much so that I purposefully avoided the Dinosaur ride at Animal Kingdom having experienced the terrifying Jurassic Park ride at Universal. So I think i'm going to pass on this question. Earth is much safer sans dinos, sorry! 

5. You can ride a dragon at the Triwizard Tournament and visit the Owlery at The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but where else would you go on a school trip to Hogsmeade?

As 90% of my life revolves around my next meal I can't pass up this question without mentioning a trip to Honeydukes and The Three Broomsticks for Chocolate Frogs, Butterbear and Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans. I went to Honeydukes in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter during my Orlando vacation in 2012 and seriously couldn't take my eyes off the decor and the products on sale. Just like Harry, when he entered Diagon Alley for the first time, I felt like I needed more than one set of eyes. After visually gorging in Honeydukes I also ate in The Three Broomsticks and sampled a scrumptious butterbeer...mmm, so tasty! 

6. A scene in any Disney, Harry Potter or Marvel movie you wish you could experience?

This is a difficult question because there are so many magical scenes that I wish I could recreate just to see how they'd translate to real life. I'd love to experience the glass slipper fitting my foot as Cinderella did and see my life magically transform into something wonderful, good will always triumph evil, even in the darkest hour, all you have to do is believe :) 

7. Name one item from any Harry Potter, Disney or Marvel movie would you want for Christmas.

I don't think I want this, I need it - Hermione's time-turner. Time is just that one luxury we waste and claim to never have enough of. With everything happening all at once in my life I'd love to be able to revert back a couple of hours and help myself out with work and general life! And of course, I'd love to use my time turner for adventures...mischief managed!

8. Name one unforgettable experience/moment you’ve had at the Orlando Parks.

Now I'm not known to be a sensitive girl, sure I'll sympathise with your problem but I'd rather get on and fix it. So it may come as a surprise to you, and it certainly did to me, that I physically cried when I walked into Magic Kingdom and rounded the corner of main street to gaze upon Cinderella Castle. I was so overwhelmed by everything that I was incredibly thankful for my oversized sunglasses. That's the magic of Disney, it's so hard to put into words how it makes you feel if you're enthralled by the Disney touch, but anyone like me will just know, y'know?

I would like to tag Amy and Kayleigh in this post, they're fellow Disney and Orlando lovers so I can't wait to read what you beauts write about!

Have you been to Florida?

#Blogmas Post 2: A Magical Disney Haul

As a self confessed Disney addict it will come as no surprise to you when mention that I've recently been on the Disney Store website and come away with a haul. I was also recently saddened to discover that both the Bristol and Plymouth branches of the Disney Store have closed down so now my nearest physical Disney Store is all the way in Cardiff (cue sad face). I am actually going to London next Monday so no doubt a trip to Oxford Street's branch is a must!

Anyways, I had some pennies to play with and ended up spending just over £50 to qualify for free delivery (always a bonus!). Here's what I got:

I'm a big stationary fan so naturally this was the section of the website that I headed for first. I picked up this cute minnie mouse 3D head pen for £3.50. You press a button and her teeny tiny body pops out, and then you press is again and it disappears, so cute! I can't find the Minnie Mouse one online anymore but Mickey's still on there. I also found a Minnie Mouse Stationary Set for £10 which comes with a variety of desk essentials including a stapler, notepad, highlighters, paperclips etc etc. I absolutely adore this and use it for work. My final stationary item is this gorgeous Sleeping Beauty Designer Fairytale Journal for £12. I spotted the artwork for this online and fell in love with it instantly (so much so that I'm considering getting the rest of the collection, which includes Cinderella, Tiana, Pocahontas and Mulan).

I was then inspired by my notebook to purchase the Sleeping Beauty Disney Designer Fairytale Collection mug for £10. This has seen many a hot chocolate and marshmallow creation in the short time that I've owned it, and again I'm tempted to finish off the collection if they're available in store next week.

My other item of homeware is an ice cube tray (which was initially my main reason for being on the Disney Store site in the first place!) and that set me back around £8. I've been having a Baileys after work some nights and having a cute Minnie & Mickey floating in my glass has made me smile post shift. I can't find this on the website anymore I'm afraid.

I also spotted some adorable Minnie Mouse ears for £5 to start my preparations for Disneyland Paris sometime in 2015. I love the colours pink and white together, and the sequinned ears will make this a fashionable accessory to accompany me to ride Space Mountain.

Finally, I couldn't help but purchase a mini Bambi plush for £7 to accessorise my dressing table. He's so soft and snuggly!

Are you a Disney fan?
What's your favourite film / character?

#Blogmas Post 1: A Christmas Wish

Merry #Blogmas! I didn't partake in any kind of festive themed blogging last year and given my excitement that's building this year I have decided that I definitely would like to this year, to finish off 2014 in high spirits.

#Blogmas day 1 sees me share with you what I'd love to unwrap on Christmas day. Now, I don't know how you do it in your family, but my Mum and brother and I all swap lists of things that we'd like for Christmas and then the person buying chooses a couple of things from the list (not all!) to wrap up and place underneath the tree. This way everyone gets things that they actually want/need but there's still an element of surprise because we don't know what we're going to receive. This year has been no different, and so I've spent many hours so far gazing longingly at various items on the internet...

My mum styles herself as 'Mrs Christmas' throughout December, something that I absolutely adore, and she'll ask my brother and I to write to her with our Christmas lists. Gone are the days of circling everything in the toy section of the wishing book (a.k.a The Argos Catalogue!), now it's all about sending her links to webpages so that she doesn't have to search very far! This year I popped on a Mulberry Bayswater (forever on my wish list until I actually buy / receive one), the TooFaced chocolate bar palette, a gorgeous textured jacked from River Island with a detachable faux fur collar, some cute grey boots from New Look, Frends Layla headphones, and Benefit's Total Moisture facial cream (it wouldn't properly be Christmas unless I received something from Benefit, it's like a tradition for my Mum and I!).

My brother and I always set a budget for each other and he usually finds himself discovering the counters of beauty brands he has never really heard of in order to buy my gifts. This year I've introduced him to YSL with my wish for another tube of Babydoll mascara (a HG product of mine) and some makeup remover. He and I also share a particular love for Jack Wills as a brand and I adore the colour of this water bottle, it'll be perfect for taking to work in a bid to drink more water in the coming year. Finally, I recently upgraded my handheld gaming to a 3DS XL (in pink!) and am currently making myself a list of games to purchase. Although this is clearly aimed at tiny people I'd be so excited if James bought me this to play on boxing day!

So that's my Christmas wish list for this year, what's on yours?