Summer holidays are over!

Once again, I've reached the last day of my summer holidays and I'm sitting on the sofa in a haze of what I (not so) fondly call the 'Sunday Blues'.

I feel lucky to do the job that I do for a number of reasons, but I'm not going to lie to you - the summer holidays are a huge factor. Six weeks free from students, exercise books, behaviour logs, house points and endless half-finished cups of tea. Six weeks with the potential for naps at any time of the day, hair dye (that ultimately stains and requires a bleach bath...) and wearing piercings that are strictly not appropriate in front of 100+ students every day. Six weeks of F U N! And that is exactly what I've done this year.

Here are a few snaps from July to the end of August to commemorate the fun and freedom of Summer '16.

boat hangs in Kalkan

poolside essentials

birthday cocktail on my 25th

Magic Kingdom with my bff

candy floss hair and nude lips

our bellepad home for Reading festival

field beer before Fall Out Boy & Biffy at Reading

My job gets in the way of a lot of elements of my life, blogging being one of them, but the summer I've had is worth blogging about so maybe this will get my back into a regular posting schedule.

I hope those of you in teaching also had a wonderful six weeks...back to the grind tomorrow!

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The Teacher Training Chronicles // Pt 1.

Last September I began my journey as a trainee teacher, and I'm now just days away from finishing my course and being able to say "I'm an English teacher" without feeling like I've got to justify it with a "well, I'm a trainee...".


I can honestly say that the course I undertook was challenging for a range of reasons, one of which was just the personal side of things... coming to terms with the position of responsibility I'll have, realising that between the hours of 7.30 and 4 I am not a kid, I'm an adult and finally, realising that there is so, so much still to learn.

Let's start from the beginning...

July 2014 I was 22, finishing my first year as a Learning Support Assistant. I'd done alright given I had no previous experience in schools or with young people. I'd had my fair share of work-cries due to some difficult situations and survived my first Oftsed inspection as an "additional adult". Things were going really well until the last week of term when I suddenly realised I didn't know if I was making the right decision by deciding to train as a teacher. What if I wasn't smart enough? What if I was too young at 22 to choose to educate people who were only 9 years younger than I was? What if the sixth form didn't take me seriously as a teacher, especially as there was less than 5 years between some of us? What if the experienced teachers didn't take me seriously because I was so young?

Mainly, what if I was shit?

So, I let those questions hover over me. I did a moderate melt-down over other personal issues which hindered my ability to do...well...anything for a while. Once I'd got myself together I did a bit of research into my chosen career and training path, read some books from the exam specification but mainly, I enjoyed my summer holidays with some of my favourite people before facing reality.

The 4th of September looked a lot like this...

The 5th of September was more like this...

And then September - June was a mixture of 

There's a slight pattern.. my laptop, pyjamas, lesson plans lots of paper and just enough time to Instagram it all too.

But, I survived! As a terrible student at 15, an okay student at 18 and an "out-of-my-depth" student at 23 I think I've done alright making it this far; just two days away from getting QTS (Qualified Teacher Status) and embarking on my NQT (Newly Qualified Teacher) year. 

I'm so, so pleased and proud of myself but mostly I am TIRED! I'm tired physically, mentally, emotionally but I'm loving life at the front of the classroom every day.

Part II is in the pipeline - what would you like to know about my training path? Let me know!

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J'adore...

It gets to Wednesday / Thursday and the motivation to make it through the week just dips. Spending 50% of the day clock watching definitely doesn't make it any easier, but sometimes appreciating the little things just might.

This week I've been loving a few things in particular..

The Naked Palette is my new favourite toy. I can't believe it took me so long to buy it but alas, it is now mine!
The Tesco Lady and the Tramp bag was a little treat a couple of weeks ago from my friend Natalie. It's perfect for taking my teaching books, folders, 1000000 pens and post-it notes to and from school.
My Liveworks planner and pen have been a life saver this week. With teaching, going to uni, blogging and having a social life sometimes things can fall by the wayside so listing everything really helps.
Finally, this body mist from Bath and Body Works. I love this scent... sometimes I just spray it round my room because it's so lovely!

What have you been loving this week?

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I don't want to...

Hair : model's own with the help of Batiste dry shampoo and lots of bobby pins

Eye bags : model's own c/o lack of sleep and no eye cream

Glasses : Tiffany & Co. with the purpose of making the subject seem intelligent

Jumper : Wildfox - loose fit to avoid hurting the accidentally sunburnt shoulders 

and/or to aid in smuggling snacks into the library.

Speaking of the library, it's currently where I'm holed up trying to get focussed for an upcoming exam and a couple of presentations. I'll resume some reviews in the next week as I desperately want to rave about another Dermalogica moisturiser. I'm also attending an event in London tomorrow evening so with any luck I can fill you in on the details of that too!

Just a little update to justify why I churned out a few posts last week but not a lot this week! See you on the other side (once my degree is done... AAAAAAH.)

My favourite pieces for under £10 at Dotcomgiftshop

Dotcomgiftshop has always been one of my go-to websites for cute, unique gifts for friends, relatives and the most difficult of all - secret santa!
These are my favourite pieces from the website, some of which I could make use of in my bedroom as it desperately needs sprucing up and a couple of bits for our kitchen at home.

Both bunny rabbit lights can be found here (click!) and here (click!). I bought one for my friend last year and wish I'd got one for myself, but now there's a baby rabbit too I want both! They're £4.95 and £3.95 respectively. The jam making kit would be perfect for my mama who makes such yummy jam when the plums on our tree are ripe, you can find it here (click!) for £9.95. I can never have enough mugs, and this tattoo print "Save the planet" mug is only £3.95 here (click!). The bird coat hanger has enough hooks for my dressing gowns which currently hang limply on the back of my door, there's nothing cute about crumpled piles of fluffy fabric but it would mean there was a little less of a floordrobe. It's here (click!) for £4.95. For £6.95 the Daisy cotton wool jar (click!) would encourage me to actually put my cotton wool away rather than closing the cabinet door rapidly and hoping they don't all tumble out next time I open it. And finally the little heart trinket box (here, click!) is £4.95 and would fit all the rings and earrings that I wear periodically rather than trying to keep them in a neat "pile" which never, ever works!

50 facts about me tag

Fifty things about me.

Fifty.

(Sorry in advance!)

♡1. I like pink. Like, I really like pink..
♡2. I've asked for a dog of my own every birthday, christmas, easter, tooth fairy moment since I could speak. I still don't have a dog :(
♡3. My favourite musical is Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. Not because it's the best musical ever but I've seen it countless times since I was little and it just reminds me of being completely care-free
♡4. I sing in my car from the minute the engine is on until the minute I get to my destination.
♡5. My favourite songs to "sing" in the car are Give Your Heart A Break by Demi Lovato, Shut Up by Blink182, most Youmeatsix songs of any album, loads of the catchy ones by Taylor Swift, Bust A Move by Young MC and a whole bunch of other stuff that's cringey.
♡6. I paint my nails usually twice a week. More than having the time to do it it's more of a displacement activity for the rest of the stuff I'm supposed to be doing.
♡7. I might wear pink more than any other colour but I like to think I don't fit into that stereotype.
♡8. I've nearly finished my degree in English Literature and I'm so scared that I might have to grow-up now.
♡9. I'm going to Disney World in May and I'M SO EXCITED
♡10. I love going to see my favourite bands / new bands live. My favourite venues are the Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth and Shepherd's Bush Empire in London.
♡11. My little brother is my best friend in the whole world. I've never met anyone like him and he's just the best kid ever,
♡12. I've got a baaaaad sweet tooth. And savoury tooth. Basically I eat a lot.
♡13. I've dyed my hair a lot of colours but this is my first time going blonder without the use of bleach straight away. Although judging by the photo at the top of this post I need to get my hair done, pronto!
♡14. I fractured my nose at the age of fifteen but then a month later as it was setting I got punched in the face and that's why there's a bump, welp!
♡15. I'm in favour of plastic surgery and would get a number of procedures.
♡16. I absolutely love memes and all that type of humour. I'm a total internet saddo when it comes to stuff like that.
♡17. I love snowboarding. I've been doing it since I was about 14 and I've been to Whistler in Canada, Winter Park in Colorado, Norway, Italy and Bulgaria. Although I'd rather forget about Bulgaria if I can!!
♡18. I like a good gin and tonic or vodka, lemon and lime when I'm at the Student Union.
♡19. I'm so clumsy. I fall over when I'm out and I drop things / knock things over daily. This results in lots of profanities!
♡20. I really have to restrain myself when I pluck my eyebrows. It's so addictive and I have to stop before I pluck them all off!
♡21. In my head I'm a princess and sometimes that accidentally comes out in real life. Only sometimes....
♡22. I've never, ever, ever worn fake tan.. is that weird??
♡23. I've been planning my own wedding since I was about 14, which I already know is a little bit odd.
♡24. I'm not religious at all but each to their own.
♡25. When my best friend Lucy and I were younger we watched "Jeepers Creepers" over and over and over again. I'm not sure why but it was one of those "scary" films that wasn't actually that scary.
♡26. I fancied Gareth Gates in a big, big way when I was 11. I still sort of fancy him now to be honest.
♡27. My plan is to become a secondary school English teacher. I love literature and I actually like kids so it feels like the right career path.
♡28. My family will always, always, always come first. Which is easier said than done when your family is as big as mine but I believe family is the most important thing in life.
♡29. My favourite films as a child were Jumanji, Titanic and all the Disney ever. I love Mrs. Potts from Beauty and the Beast.
♡30. One day I'd love to do a masters. I just don't know what in!
♡31. I love tv shows based around crime. Real or fiction but my favourites are Criminal Minds, CSI and all those programmes on prisons
♡32. Although I'm not religious I love carol services at Christmas in churches, especially the ones at my brother's school.
♡33. I love Hello Kitty. I don't know why this fact is so late in this post because seriously, I LOVE HELLO KITTY.
♡34. I haven't got any tattoos or unusual piercings.
♡35. But I do think my body is a blank canvas and plan on starting the process this summer.
♡36. When I was 15 I met McFly and cried....and then went to an Enter Shikari gig.
♡37. I buy more stuff online than in shops. Delivery charges cripple me!!!
♡38. My Mulberry Del Rey is my most prized possession. I absolutely love it and I hope to get another in a different colour.
♡39. I won't lie and say I'm not high-maintenance, but I do think I've got it under control a bit now I'm older. Maybe.
♡40. My make-up staples are Liz Earle foundation, Liz Earle mascara and Benefit's Coralista blusher.
♡41. For years I've wanted a baby chimpanzee but I'm accepting it's probably not ever going to happen now....
♡42. I've been with my boyfriend since I was 16. It hasn't always been great but I wouldn't change it for the world.
♡43. I'm a Leo and I firmly fit all the criteria of my star sign; loyal, has to be the centre of attention and fiery!
♡44. My housemate and one of my best-friends Steph made me a beautiful cushion for my 21st birthday and it's one of the things I'd save in a fire.
♡45. I wear a lot of jumpers and chunky cardigans. I don't like to get my body out but after a couple of years of cleaning up my diet and exercise that's starting to change.
♡46. I've only recently bought nice 'going-out' dresses but I have quite a nice collection now!
♡47. I'm really fussy about food when it's cooked for me. Being a control freak means I'd rather do it myself!
♡48. I upload to instagram way, way, way too much.
♡49. I have a very small DVD collection...which is why I borrow everyone else's :)
♡50. I got starstruck when I met the Disney princesses in Florida a couple of years ago. I was so nervous and played with my hair the whole time. D'OH!!


So. Did you make it to the end?? Let me know if you did and tell me something about yourself so I feel less of a pleb please!

Life Update - September

September has signified the end of many things that have been going on this year. The first of which obviously being the distinct change in the seasons and consequently, my wardrobe! The second 'ending' was that of the summer break from University.

I travelled back down to my little term-time house on the 19th of September and unpacked myself into a new bedroom for my final year of higher education. Although I'm not unfamiliar with living away from home this is a pretty big step as I really don't get on well with changing aspects of my life. After being looked after in my lovely house in the Midlands coming back down to rented, student accommodation is something that I dread for the days running up to it.

After being back for over a week and burning my fair share of Yankee Candles to make it feel like home I feel as though I've settled back in nicely, especially after impulse buying a pink Hello Kitty onesie that's more than acceptable to wear up to the shop on the corner when I've run out of milk!

As my third and final year of studying has been so heavily thrust upon me (6 contact hours a week, I know RIGHT!) it's beginning to seem a lot more real that I might have to grow up at some point, preferably not until I'm in my late 50s but someone told me it doesn't work like that..

I thought I'd just share a couple of photos of my room as I don't really do any posts like this but I'd like to get a bit more of "me" across on my little blog. These are the only two that don't include the vast amount of boxes still on my bedroom floor...

So, maybe you'll see these kind of posts once or twice a month as a little round-up of the goings on in my life!

Love,

Las Vegas 2012

On the 22nd August I jetted off to Las Vegas with my boyfriend and his family. We stayed for 6 nights at the Bellagio hotel and it was absolutely incredible.

 the comfiest bed for jet lag | making good use of the bath robes after my shower | just organising the vanity like I owned the place 

I've been to a few pretty cities but Vegas topped them all for its size and all the opportunities provided by the different hotels, restaurants and shopping centres. You could go to the New York New York hotel and get a typical New York coffee and donut for breakfast before riding their rollercoaster, walk to the Luxor and view the Titanic exhibition or head to The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and wander through Dior, Dunhill, Sephora and of course, Abercrombie & Fitch.

Here are a small collage of the 500 photos that I took incase anyone is interested.

the Bellagio hotel at night with the famous fountains | suicide slush at Fat Tuesday | Kardashian Khaos, obvs!

Philosophy bubble baths - black cherry soda & sweet 16 | Grand Canyon, yeah!  | last breakfast - buttermilk pancakes

For the first few days we wandered round Vegas doing a lot of shopping, eating and walking. It was roughly 40degrees every day but far less humid than other American cities. We also saw 3 shows, The Beatles Love at the Mirage, "O" at the Bellagio and on the last night my boyfriend and I went to see Peepshow starring Holly Madison - lucky boyfriend!! 

I actually loved every second of the Peepshow, and although I wouldn't say Holly Madison is a born actress or singer she was entertaining and she is absolutely beautiful in real life. I think I love her a little bit (/ a lot!!). Our seats were so close to the stage you could see every inch of the dancers - again, lucky boyfriend! - but I did notice that Holly had a little pouch on her stomach where she's usually very much in shape, the next day I bought Us Weekly because it turns out she's pregnant! Wahoooooo, celebrity babies are my fave! 

The last two days were spent driving to the Grand Canyon and back with the last night of our trip spent at the Wynn hotel - it's roughly 5 hours from Las Vegas to the South Rim where we stayed at the Grand Hotel. Compared to the Bellagio it wasn't particularly Grand but it did provide everything we needed for a good night's sleep after travelling and before exploring the canyon. We saw both the sunrise and the sunset and it was breathtaking! I have about 50 photos of each, oops!!

sunset at the Grand Canyon | colourful rays over the horizon | sunrise! makes me think of the Lion King

Anyway, here's my little Las Vegas post. There's so much to write about but I might save them for any product reviews that are in the pipeline from my many shopping sprees!

Have you been to Vegas? Let me know!

Love, 

I have not disappeared....

Holaaaa,

Just a quick post to say that I haven't disappeared just yet. I lost my mojo for a few days and then got hit in the face (metaphor...) with revision and an essay so I don't really have much to post on here!
With any luck my Topshop delivery will turn up today so if I have time tonight I'll take some photos to do a post in the next few days.

In the meantime I am updating my Instagram as per because I'm hooked on it! Find me there - helloissyxo

Love,

Moleskine Wellness Journal

As I've posted on here before I'm on the final leg of my weightloss journey. I have around 10lbs left to lose and it can't bloody come off quick enough! As I type there's an advert for pizza on the tv which is not helping!
However, I'm determined to get down to 133lbs and I wanted to post about one of my methods that I'm trying out over the next few months - a food diary.
I've always dabbled with food / health diaries as I'm a notebook hoarder but I never seem to keep it up. Using the WeightWatchers app has really helped me record my daily intake and has also made me think twice before having a biscuit or putting more pasta than I need on my plate as I have to actually admit what I'm doing to myself and my phone, but I'll always prefer handwritten over technology! I decided to take my food diary one step further when I spotted a new range of "Passions" journals by Moleskine when in Selfridges last week. I am an avid Moleskine fan, if you don't have a notebook or diary by them then I urge you to go and get one now now now!! I love to give them as gifts...or just tell myself they're gifts but keep them, ha..hello hoarders.
Anyway! So, I bought a new Moleskine Wellness Journal. They do plenty in this range such as a dog journal, gardening journal or even a chocolate or beer journal! All are priced at £15.99 online, though mine was £16.45 in Selfridges.

This journal has the classic black Moleskin cover but has an embossed design of people in various yoga positions.. It's not entirely to my taste but it is different to their usual plain cover. It contains 6 labelled sections - Personal Goals, Exercise Log, Diet, General Health, Games - Sport and Inspirations as well as 6 blank sections that can be labelled with other provided stickers in the expandable back pocket.

This is day 1 of my new food diary and the first page of the Inspiration section. I have yet to add some photos of places I'm going or clothes I'd like to buy in a couple of months. I absolutely love the idea of the labelled sections for things like personal inspiration because it means everything is contained in one place and I can just flick between the pages to remind myself why I'm doing this or what I had for lunch the week before.

I don't know why the quality of this photo is so bad! Sorry!

So, this is the Moleskine Wellness Journal and I think it's a really great idea and I think if anyone is on the lookout for a journal or notebook then they should head straight to John Lewis, WHSmith, Paperchase or the Moleskine website and grab one straight away.

What's your view on food diaries? Do you have a good alternative to handwritten notebooks?

Love,