Motivation? Can't be Arsed.

Motivation.
Isn't always as easy as it sounds though is it?
Most of the time I really struggle with getting motivated and even more so with staying motivated but at the moment I seem to be having some sort of brain fart of idea's that's propelling my motivational levels to heights they haven't reached in a long time. But how long will it last and is there an easy solution to the universal motivation problems?
Well, No. Motivation comes and goes as it pleases but lots of us seem to let our minds get in the way of getting motivated. It's all in your head. The Biggest factor effecting motivation is failure or fear of failure.
Lack of Motivation is lack of focus, lack of direction and lack of confidence. I'm preaching this because it's true. I had the idea of starting a blog in 2011 when I was studying journalism but I was terrified that no-one would care or be interested in what I had to write and that I would just fail before I even started. But I decided that I had too many idea's built up and spilling out that I had to take the risk and put my idea's out there and so far, all seems to be going well (touch wood).
So here are a few tips to get the motivation going:

1. Put yourself out there. I know it's scary, the thought of what people will think about you or your idea's but don't worry about them just think for every ten people that don't like what you're doing another ten will love it! Also if you're out there publicly, you will feel a bigger need to succeed  You will subconsciously try harder because you want people to believe you can do it too!

2. Positives not negatives. Again this one is easier said than done but in life you really do have to focus on the positives not the negatives. If you generally have a negative view about yourself and your idea's you will probably not be motivated to do anything with yourself or try to make something out of what you have. If you're having negative thoughts, just think, 'this will work', I am good', everything is going swimmingly!'

3. Set yourself achievable goals. Although it is good to aim high and dream big, when starting something or just in general everyday life, it's better to set achievable goals. That way you will feel better when you achieve them and you will achieve what you want more regularly, which will keep your mood elevated and your thoughts positive! Also setting unrealistic and humongous targets can result in you giving up quicker because you're not seeing the results you want, instantly.

4. Get excited. If your excited, your more likely to think about what you want or what your doing more often. Which means ideas will be constantly zooming round your head and you may have a brain fart that makes you get up and put your motivation in motion!

5. Simple yet effective. Think about what you have achieved. Not what you have yet to achieve. If things haven't quite gone your way, don't fret or spend ages analysing what your doing wrong. Plans can be broken. And if you regularly stop to think about what you have achieved and appreciate it, you may be pleasantly surprised and even get ideas and more motivation from that.

So even though there is no major quick fix for lack of motivation, there are things you can do to help you get going and although they may not always be easy, the are effective if you stick to it. Remember the old phrase;
'Rome wasn't built in a day'
Everything worth having and doing take's time, you have to work at it so don't worry if you don't see progress instantly. You will still be progressing.

k.

Bow's Jewellery. Business as usual.

Starting this blog I never even thought about the people I would come across on my travels, which meant I was pleasantly surprised to find that the first person to actually follow my blog was a lovely girl named Grace. A lovely girl named Grace who owns her own jewellery shop!
As I got to know the girl behind the jewellery I learnt that she is MY age, didn't go to uni and she already has a successful business!
How?! I asked myself but as I saw her jewellery, I didn't have to ask anymore!

Butterfly Neclace

Bow's jewellery is magnificently unique, quirky and definitely fills a niche in the market a lot of us were desperate for. The jewellery itself is incredibly well made and well tested, as she wears the pieces herself to make sure they are safe and sturdy. Health and safety is also taken into consideration, as the metals she uses are nickel and led free (which is a bonus for me because I'm often allergic to metals on my skin, so this way I don't have to worry and still look amazing!)
What I like most about her jewellery is that every piece is well thought out and there's such a wide variety of all types of accessories that means you're spoilt for choice!

One of Bows Necklaces

I once worked for Claire's accessories and whilst I liked all the jewellery there it was all very much the same and everyone was wearing it! There was nothing that really jumped out and grabbed my attention, so I never really bought anything, whereas five minutes on Bow's jewellery and I have already spent half of my wages!
The pieces will have you standing out from the crowd as it's not the kind of mass produced, factory line jewellery you find on the high street and the prices are amazing. It's an independent business but the prices are incredibly low for what your getting, you can definitely spend more on the high street and I don't feel you get as much for your money!

Now some of you may be wondering why I'm pushing this so hard and it's simply because it's an amazing independent business! Every month over 300 small businesses in the UK alone go out of business because they simply don't do the trade and I think that is such as shame! I want people to realise the potential of these small stores and really help support them or we will lose them. Although I don't think Bow's has to worry about this with over 10,000 Facebook 'likes' and the business is only coming up to it's first birthday in April!

Octopus I was given on my 20th

So I think Bow's jewellery is definitely one to watch! Before I had even started my blog or even knew who Grace or Bows Jewellery was, I was given an octopus necklace for my birthday which I instantly fell in love with, so you can imagine my surprise when I found out that this incredible birthday gift was from Bow's jewellery itself! So all of you jewellery lovers, and I know there's a lot out there, Go check out Bow's and let us know what you think, or buy! And to everyone else just remember, small businesses need your help, they're real people who work hard to bring quality to you so use their stores, shop with them and keep independent businesses alive!

One thing is for sure, this shop will never be dull.

k.

Bow's Jewellery:

http://www.facebook.com/BowsJewellery
http://www.bowsjewellery.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/EevieDesigns

Nautical Bracelet

Valentine's Day; an After Thought.

Now that Valentine's Day has been and gone, a mere after thought in our minds, it's given me a chance to hear, in passing, people's opinions on the lovely day that graces our cold Februaries.
Universally Valentine's Day is the day of love. A day to tell someone you admire them or just cherish the love you already have but not everyone thinks Valentine's Day is as lovely as it seems and not everyone knows the whole story behind the heart filled holiday.

The story of Valentine's Day begins thousands of years ago, where people celebrated many a martyr in the month of February (the name 'Valentinus' was rather popular back then) and also a Roman fertility festival hosted on the 15th of February helped name February, the month of love. But what really interests the modern world is the story of the Roman saint Valentine, who really gives the holiday its name and meaning.
Of course saint Valentine's tale is often told differently by protestants and catholics (he existed around the 3rd century) but the long and short of every ones tale seems to be that Valentine was a bishop who secretly married roman soldiers behind the emperors back, seen as he had banned the ancient ceremony, insisting it was the reason he had weak soldiers that were too emotionally attached.
Saint valentine was caught and whilst awaiting sentencing for his 'crimes' he was approached by a fellow prisoner and asked to use his saintly abilities to heal his blind daughter.
The emperor, vaguely impressed, went to Valentine and tried to convert him to his gods but Valentine refused and was sentenced to death. Whilst waiting, it was said he wrote a letter to the young girl he had healed, befriended and possibly fell in love with, according to some versions of the tale. He signed the farewell message 'From your Valentine' a phrase we are all familiar with today. Its said he was then to be executed on February the 14th. Hence the holiday of Valentines.

Nowadays many people find Valentine's Day overbearing and commercial saying that it's all about the material possessions instead of the meaning. The 15th century is where we start to see chocolates, flowers and cards being sent, romantically and with lots of heartfelt meaning but it isn't until the 19th century where we see handwritten Valentines overcome by Mass produced cards. Proving this, someone told me;


One of Esther's first valentines cards

"I think the old tradition of Valentines is a lovely idea but I don't agree with societies take on it. Its now a big money making scheme for shops etc. I think you should just tell someone you love them everyday"
Although the trail is hazy it seems that the first commercial use of a valentine was made by a lady in America in the 1840's. Esther Howland sold a truly amazing  $5,000 worth of cards (bear in mind back then that was a whole lot of money. Good for her) that's when the company's caught wind of the potential of Valentines and sales have been booming ever since with what I find, unsurprisingly, women buying 85 per cent of the cards!

Talking to people about the subject, especially after the day itself has past, has been illuminating. Rosie told me;
"You should express your feelings everyday not just one day of the year," a wonderful piece of advice I think but she went on to say "Not all people have the option. People that are less fortunate can't afford to express their love in materialistic ways, so in that way, one day a year is a good idea. People are lucky to even get the chance to be with their loved ones."
And I couldn't agree more. Some people go a lifetime without finding love, so they should cherish it every day, not just once a year because it's supposedly the normal thing to do. The general consensus seems to be that valentines is a good idea but maybe we shouldn't concentrate on valentines being once a year, that maybe we should adopt the meaning of the day all year around!

So knowing everything I do about the story of Valentines I think that you should use Valentines as an excuse to maybe do something special or something different with the one you love but that you should still make an effort throughout the year. This year me and my Fiancée spent the day strolling around a museum and visiting the cinema, something both of us could enjoy and I had an amazing day but neither of us are particularly bothered about doing something for the sake of valentines because we make an effort through the rest of the year. The only reason we make any sort of an effort on Valentine's is because my birthday is the day before so it's an excuse to do something extra and make the festivities last longer!
My advice to those nay-Sayers who insist that Valentine's Day is pointless is to not conform to card company's then and perhaps make a card or present, your partner would really appreciate it and it's always nice to let someone you love, know you love them.

So I leave you with this pinnacle idea on Valentines.
"It's worth it. Something nice. A chance to tell someone you love them."
Hope you all had a lovely Valentine's Day.

k.

Aye Aye, Eyebrows!

Eyebrows are not always a big concern on our to-do lists but sometimes it’s nice to have a good old eye brow wax. But paying £5 and up isn't always affordable. Luckily I have found an amazingly cheap, easy and effective way to banish those bushy brows, by yourself, without paying the beauticians price tag.

I use super drugs own brand eyebrow shapers to achieve my lovely brows. For less than two pounds they supply you with 4 sleeves of pre-cut strips in the shape of eyebrows! What could be simpler? And I will even tell you step by step how to achieve perfect brows, on the cheap, in minutes!

 DIY eyebrows:

Step 1. The wax shapers come in handy eyebrow shaped strips that allow you to get a perfect shape every time.  This is one of the reasons I find doing it myself easy because the shape is already there! All you do is peel the strip you want (rather carefully) and apply it to the upper contour of your eyebrow, where you think the hair needs to be removed. Remember though it's better to take off too little hair than too much hair, this is why they give you a lot of wax strips so you can work at it too achieve perfect eyebrows! Once the strip is on, make sure to apply pressure, just give it a rub, this makes sure you pick up the hairs all in one go so you don't have to keep going over the same spot a hundred times.

Step 2. PULL. There's not a lot to step two, just be firm and quick. Hold down the surrounding skin if needed, it may sound painful but i can assure you, if you do it properly its quick and rather painless!

Step 3. This step is almost exactly the same as step one but it concentrates on the lower half of your brow/eyelid. The pack contains shapers that fit perfectly, although I find it useful to use a surprised face, so your eyelids raise up high, this allows you to get a really crisp, clean and defined line. Put in place. Pat down and PULL again and your brow should be taking place!

Step 4. There are little rectangular strips in the packet these are for your uni brow area and the ends, it's a quick way just to neaten up around the eyebrow and your face looking fresh.

Step 5. The hard part is all over. All you need to do now is pluck any strays that decided to hang on in there and perhaps apply a bit of moisturizer (although these strips are so sensitive I often find I don't have to bother and can go straight out after waxing) and your eyebrows should be looking amazing!

Now with everything in this world there are pro's and con's. The pro's to doing your eyebrows yourself is it's a lot cheaper than travelling to get it done professionally, it's fun, really quick and you can do it as often as you like once you know how, you don't have to book yourself in and pray they have a slot free for you, if you need them done desperately  The cons are (obviously) you're not having them done professionally which is another reason you would pay beauticians price tags and there's always a chance it could go wrong, although as long as your sensible, take my advice or even read the instructions then you should be fine!

Personally I love doing my eyebrows myself, I feel like I've achieved something and I find it fun! Even my friends and neighbours come to me to have their eyebrows done and I've never had anyone complain yet! Also I love the fact that I've saved money and i can do it in the comfort of my own home. But the question is, is anyone brave enough to have ago themselves? Or are the pennies saved not worth it?

-Before                              After-                

                                        

Love your Genes, in your Jeans!

Weight loss and changing our body's (naturally or unnaturally) is something today's generation has been brought up along side off, Nowadays no-one bats an eyelid if you mention in passing 'i'm going on a diet' or 'I need to shed a few pounds' and self ridicule is 'the norm'.
But should it be?

Nearly the last ten years of my life I have been obsessed with my imperfections and flaws. 'my tummy is pudgy', 'thunder thighs', 'I need to lose weight!' I have tried every trick of the trade to slim down and tone up and where these tricks do tend to help me lose a bit of weight or maybe change my shape a bit, I'm starting to realize that its not necessarily my fault (although that chocolate cake didn't help!) and that i'm never going to be an ultra slim, super suave model and that maybe my genes are having an impact on this issue.

I eat fairly healthily (I am partial to a bit of chocolate) jog regularly, walk everywhere, visit the gym most days and have a plethora of do it yourself exercise DVD's but nothing seems to banish my wobbly thighs!
For years I have complained and my mum always (jokingly) apologizes stating 'you get that from me!' I never really payed much attention to this, laughing it off with her, but recently i gave it some serious thought. We are all different shapes and sizes, whats normal for some people might not be normal for me so why should I punish my body for something that is just not realistic to me?

Now for the sciencey bit; our genetic 'make-up' influences our abilities to gain and loose weight, some people (like me and my mum) just have to look at food and we gain weight where as others can eat to their hearts content and not gain a single pound!
Although food, exercise and environment are huge factors in our weight, studies are showing that people with more of certain 'weight' genes do struggle more with controlling weight and keeping a balance.

I think it is important to lead a healthy and active lifestyle for more reasons than just weight but after looking at the research i'm starting to understand (and slowly accept) that however much I try and change my body i'm always going to be stuck with things like big thighs or my mothers eyes. I don't have time to fret as much as I was about things that are not 100% in my control. instead I should just accept it and move on! (putting this into practice is much harder but i'm trying!)

At the moment I have a target. Before I set myself unrealistic and simply crazy targets such as 'I must lose a stone in two months' etc but now I have simply decided that I have to fit nicely and comfortably into a pair of jeans that are a bit too small for me (at the moment). I am much more happy and stress free trying to achieve this goal. I don't feel like its getting the best of me and I have no more sleepless nights fretting about how much weight I want/need too lose!
So that is my challenge to anyone who is looking to lose a bit of weight, set yourself a target to just fit into a nice pair of jeans and you may find you achieve it quicker than you may of thought possible!
And just remember be healthy and happy. Exercise and enjoy yourself but don't forget somethings you can't change, biology is not always destiny and you should love those bits because they are what makes you, you!

k.

Who am i?

Welcome!

For Starters i am Kerrie. A 20 year old female living in the depths of Devon high above the town in a flat with my fiancee. I finished education at 19 and went out into the wide world of work. I studied Art, photography, media and journalism, then didn't do anything with it which is a big regret so i'm hoping to change that now.
I turned 20 a week ago and decided I needed a plan, a resolution if you will, for my next ten years. Off course I want the chocolate box dream. Marriage, the dream job and 2.5 kids (although i will settle for one) but the more I thought about this, the more I came to realize that I wanted something that is just mine.
Somewhere I can impart my wisdom, share my opinions and siphon my thoughts (Harry Potter inspired the last one) and so my blog was born. My own little slice of heaven.
My blog will be about everything and anything, ranging from the normal to the bizarre.  I want to share advice, opinions, articles, art, reviews, photos and more with you and show I'm not a one trick pony!
which brings me to my first nugget of advice;

'If you learn something, have an idea, have a skill, USE IT! show it off if you have to, just don't let it go to waste, otherwise what was the point?'

Simple but effective i think and a piece of advice i'm planning on applying to my own life now.
Hopefully some of you will find this blog useful, others i just hope you have a nice read!

k.