Falling victim to the London bubble

I spend so much of my time in one of the most multi-cultural, forwarding thinking cities in the world. A city so rich thanks to embracing other cultures from around the world. I surround myself with people with similar views on both politics and the essential purchase of a Mulberry handbag. I follow strong, independent women on Twitter that encourage me to be the best of myself. People who are desperate to make a change and have their voices heard.

But then I see comments on newspaper sites, hear people discussing things in the street, and catch posts on social media. Then realise that I've fallen victim to the London bubble. I have forgotten that there is a huge world outside the city and despite my thoughts, it is not the centre of the universe. There's a vast majority of people all over the world straining to get their voices heard too. But not always doing it in the best way. To put it nicely. People are angry and frustrated, desperate for change. But in their desperation, they're blaming the wrong people, taking the wrong action and being blindsided by toxic information. Change doesn't come from the status quo, of voting in the exact same type of people who believe in making the rich richer and poor poorer. It comes from men like Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie Sanders who offer a different type of politics. I understand their sometimes stubborn stances are not for everyone but there's lots of other people who offer different views. It's a just a matter of finding them. You'd be surprised at what people are fighting for.

The world is so uncertain at the moment. Sometimes I just can't comprehend what is happening at the minute and I feel at such a loss. It feels like something I would have been learning in my A Level history class. But all is not lost. I've watched Hillary Clinton's gracious speech numerous times and cried. In the face of defeat she was empowering and humble. You don't fight hate with hate. You defeat hate by standing up with love. And boy is there endless people in the world showing love to each other. I proud to say I know some of them personally.

The world has just lost it's way at the moment but it will find it's way back. It has too.

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5 simple ways to make yourself happier

Paint your nails
Nothing makes me feel like I have my life together than freshly painted nails and toenails. I don't know what it is about coloured fingers and toes but they just make me smile and like I can take on the world. I find it so relaxing to set aside a few hours at night to concentrate on painting my nails. It helps my brain stop whirling around and just concentrate on the moment at hand.

Buy fresh flowers
I love fresh flowers in my room. Waking up and seeing them at the the end of my bed makes me smile each time without fail. Something so simple yet something so pretty. With British Flower week coming up on Monday, there isn't a better time to treat yourself to some fresh blooms. Ocean Loans has launched their project FourWalls to help celebrate all things homes related. Flowers are a great way to add some colour to a home!

Go for a evening stroll
We all lead such busy lives and can get bogged down with the mundune things in life. Work can be all-comsuming and tough to switch off from. I find going to a evening stroll after dinner really helps to switch off and help you to relax. Take your favourite person and just wander aimlessly for about an hour chatting about every and anything. Don't check your phone, just be in the moment. You'll come back feeling fresh and relaxed - trust me! The gentle exercise will help to endorse those endorphins that everyone harps on about. A natter and exercise - what a combo eh?

Try out a new recipe
Cooking give me such a sense of achievement. It's something I've only really discovered over the last few years. Even now I'm still shocked that I can make something not only edible but pretty darn delicious. I find it quite therapeutic to stand in front of a hob trying out a new recipe I haven't attempted before. That feeling I get when it's finished and tastes amazing makes me smile. It doesn't have to be a complicated recipe, even if it's just a another variation of avocado on toast. You get to feed your face and feel pretty sassy at the same time. Winner.

Have an early night
I don't know about you but I am a monster when I'm tired. I am grumpy, argumentative and awkward. I need my sleep every night and my alarm goes out at 5.30 every morning. But I don't always get to have a good run in bed. It's a hard life being a social butterfly eh?! So at least twice a week I set aside a few nights to get in bed for 9pm. That included pjs on, make up off and light switched off my 9pm. I find myself waking up feeling with more of a spring in my step and a lot more together. It's amazing how much a decent amount of sleep can contribute towards your happiness.

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10 things I'll be doing Christmas Day

Christmas is nearly upon us. I've got my presents wrapped, Lindt Chocolate Lovers bag to munch on* and the Christmas playlist on Spotify is getting all the love. Everyone has their own traditions and customs that make their Christmas so special. These are the things that happen every year without fail.

1. Spending Christmas eve in the local Wetherspoons with old Sixth Form friends. Christmas was always that time of year that everyone came home no matter where they were in the country. Now eight years on that's still the same. I have friends settled all over the country and this is always an drunken catch up.

2. Rushing downstairs in my dressing gown and pyjamas despite the almighty hangover to hand out all the presents from under the tree. It's always been my job to make sure everyone gets the right ones and every year there's always one present that's been forgotten at the back.

3. Drinking bucks fizz at 9am because it's Christmas. Obviously.

4.  Watching endless films and reliving my childhood with After Eights in one hand and Celebrations in the other.

5. Sitting in front of the telly watching the Queen's speech with a tub of Quality Street because we clearly haven't enough food.

6. Declaring you can't eat for days yet jumping out of your seat when someone suggests cheese. It's always about the cheese. Mostly endless slabs of wensleydale and cranberry.

7. Instantly regretting my outfit choice because a pretty dress just doesn't have the stamina to deal with a whole day of gorging.

8. Listening to my dad snore as I lay on the sofa religiously browsing the internet trying to find some bargains and buy clothes that I really don't need.

9.  Sulking because I've had to share the sausage meat with the rest of the table. Don't they know it's my favourite thing in the world?

10. Getting too drunk on bubbles and feeling so thankful with my family. Then arguing with my nan. Well it can't all be happy families on the big day eh?

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Money doesn't always equal happiness

Money. Money makes the world go round. Or so everyone leads you to believe. I was one of these people who spent money like water. I wanted to do everything and anything. I still do. But I don't have a full time job. So that makes it kinda hard.

At first I was unbelievably upset that I couldn't have my monthly spree on ASOS, treat myself to a Pret baguette or go out for spontaneous Friday night drinks. I moped around whining and sulking about the fact my bank account wasn't regularly being topped up by wages.  But then all my family, boyfriend and friends rallied round me. I realised money wasn't the centre of my happiness. They were.

When everything comes crashing down around you, you start to question where you are in life and how you get out of the rut, these are the people who have your back. They're the people who help you realise nothing's the end of the world. You just have to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and get back on the life road full steam ahead. They help you belly laugh, smile until your jaw aches and help you get back in the game. If they're lovely boys, they may even buy you a beautiful bunch of flowers to let you know they're thinking of you. Or if they're good parents they'll bring you home a bottle of perfume from their travels and treat you to dominos to cheer you up. Or friends who send you hilarious memes to remind you why you're friends in the first place.

Next time you feel down about your lack of friends, remember money isn't central to your happiness. The people you surround yourself by are. Don't take them for granted.

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Being in a long term relationship

It says something when you have to go back to 2012 to find a decent smiling picture - mental note to maybe start smiling in pictures... Look at those baby faces! 

I've been in a relationship since I was 18. I have had the same - and only! - boyfriend for over eight years. Yet when I mention this to people, I get very mixed reactions. Some may find it romantic but to be honest the vast majority look at me in disbelief. How on earth can I be happy with only having one boyfriend?! Don't I feel the need to sow my seeds? Aren't I worried we got together too young? How can I possibly know he's the one for me?

I'm the first to admit that 18 is young and I'm a very different person now at 26. So is my boyfriend but we're growing together. We've both got the some views on marriage and children - not for a very long time thank you! We both love to travel and see live music. We lead quite separate lives and treasure our times spent with our friends. We've never ever lived in each others pockets. Sometimes we go days without seeing each other simply because we're living our lives. But it could change, at 30 we could suddenly want completely different things. It happens all the time. If we do? We would still have had many good years together and I definitely won't be thinking I've wasted my life on only one person. 

I get told that I don't have a clue what's out there and shouldn't be settling on my first one. Well first off, I'm not settling at all thank you very much. There's been no reason in eight years for me to question my relationship. We're both extremely stubborn and bicker but he's never once treated me bad. Not giving me the last roast potato on a Sunday isn't really much to complain about. I've heard horror stories from friends about their latest boyfriend and not had them myself. He has never ever told me what I can and can't do. I've bought a ticket to Glastonbury and jetted off to Chicago on my own and he's never batted an eyelid. I'm often swanning off on weekends to see my friends - perks of having them scattered around the country. A few people have asked how he feels about me doing so much on my own. Well why would he be bothered? He gets to order a 12-piece KFC bargain bucket to himself and play his XBOX all day. I'm not willing to ask anyone's permission to live my life. 

Why should people be belittled for their choice of love life? If you've had one boyfriend or ten boyfriends it doesn't matter. You are free to have any many partners as you choose and nobody is able to judge you. Someone would never - well most people wouldn't - blatantly call a girl a hussy to her face for having multiple boyfriends. So it shouldn't be ok to look down your nose at a girl who's only had one man friend. After all, we live in a free world don't we?

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5 tips to relax and switch off

If you're anything like me, you run at 100 mph and constantly have something or another swirling around in your head. I have a very busy job - not that I'm complaining as I like to keep to be kept on my toes - and often don't get indoors until just 7.45pm. Sometimes I have events in the evening and weekends to attend to as well. Then there's always something I have to do whether it's blogging - certainly not a chore! - , ebaying, life admin or running round to see people. Like the old lady I am, I like to be in bed for 10 so it's very rush rush rush. I never really have time to switch off and relax. Something my sanity is beginning to get annoyed with. I've tried to make a conscious effort to step back and put things on hold to try and get some 'me' time. It's good for the soul!

1. Read a book.
The classic way to shut out the world and forget about everything in your life is to open a good book. It's so easy to lose yourself in someone else's world for 30 minutes or so. There are so many great books out to pick up and it's a great way to keep your brain ticking over. Sometimes we all get too wrapped up in work and forget to enjoy the simple things in life. More the often the book is much better than the film so pick it up first to read!

2. Bake a cake.
I personally find baking to be really therapeutic and relaxing. There's nothing I love more than getting my bake on. It doesn't have to be anything elaborate and you'll have plenty of time to fit it in during the evening - a classic Victoria Sponge is my favourite to make. Always a winner! It hardly takes any time at all to whip up and whilst it's cooking for 30 minutes you can veg out like broccoli (ten points if you get the movie reference) in front of the telly. Then cut the cake and veg out some more! You'll get lots of brownie points if you take it into work for your colleagues!

3. Slob out in front of Netflix.
Netflix has to be up there with one of the best adventures in the world. There's so many different films, documentaries and series on there to keep you occupied for hours. Even if you've only got half an hour to spare before you want to switch your light out, there's always something to catch you eye. I know a lot of people say telly isn't a good thing before bed but it helps me. Sometimes I nod off before something has almost finished. If you don't have Netflix, pop on your favourite DVD and remember exactly why you love it so much!

4. Experiment in the kitchen.
Like I mentioned before I find cooking very relaxing. I get such pleasure out of following a recipe and actually making something edible to eat. It's a great way to keep your mind fresh and you tend to forget about everything else as you're concentrating on following instructions. There are plenty of good books out that specialise in quick and simple meals so it won't take up your whole evening. If you're feeling adventurous, why not try and make a recipe up yourself?

5. Pamper yourself.
After a long day at work, nothing feels better then giving yourself some TLC. Paint your nails, pop on a face mask, have a bubble bath or put on your expensive special cleanser on your face as a treat. It's important to look after yourself as you only get one body! You don't want your stress starting to appear on your face do you now?!

So tell me, what do you do to switch off?

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25 things i've learnt about being 25

1. Conversations at the pub on a Friday night now consist of pensions and house deposits.

2. People will find it strange when you say you're not too sure about having children. They tell you not to worry as your biological clock will start ticking soon... That old chestnut.

3. It's still perfectly acceptable to wear crop tops.

4. After being with your boyfriend for eight years, marriage will be the talking point at any family get together. They will also find it strange that you don't want a ring on your finger.

5. Those crease under your eyes are permanent fixtures when you smile.

6.  Life admin is very satisfying to do on a Friday night.

7. Those hangover now last for two days.

8. Netflix marathons are the way forward and you wake up as fresh as a daisy the day after. Result!

9. Thanks to nearly three years of full time work, you will find it impossible to sleep in after 9am on the weekend. Those midday uni lay ins are long gone.

10.  There's no better feeling in the world than being id'ed on a night out. You still look youthful!

11. You still find it hard to make your wage packet last longer than two weeks. At least you live like a Queen in those first two weeks of every month eh?

12. You can still bust those shapes on the dancefloor to TLC and remember all the lyrics to Yeah by Usher.

13. You find it mortifying when you find out someone is born in the 1990's even though you were only born in 1989.

14. You still choose to buy that dress over being able to afford a night out. Who needs wine when you have sequins?

15. Backstreets boys will always rule over every other band.

16. Those group of friends you befriended at the tender age of 17 in sixth form are keepers. They know your inner, most darkest secrets and they still wants to be friends. Amazing.

17. You still pinch yourself you're living your childhood dream of being able to write for a living. It won't ever get any less surreal.

18.  You can't really get away with eating junk food every day. Sometimes you have to eat healthily as much as it pains you.

19. You will still always choose a burger over vegetables.

20. After 25 years you still struggle to stay on your feet. Drunk or sober.

21. You're just too old to appreciate mosh pits at a gig.

22. Your parents will always be your biggest cheerleaders.

23. It's brilliant to finally have a solid group of girl mates after being one of the lads for many, many years.

24. Seeing the world is one of the most humbling experiences ever. Travel is truly amazing.

25. You still refuse point blank to be a grown up.

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