10 things that made me happy in March

Image from Pixabay

1. Managing my work

This month, I've started feeling better about my final year workload. My dissertation is finally coming together, essay planning is underway and I'm looking forward to enjoying the last few months of uni. I've felt so stressed since Christmas, thinking that I'd never be able to complete my dissertation or have control of my work but I can see it starting to take shape.

2. Meeting new people

I love meeting new people and exploring new opportunities and this month has been full of them! I'm in contact with so many more bloggers, industry professionals and have enjoyed meeting new people and getting to know them.

3. It's finally Spring!

My favourite season is in full swing; longer days, brighter evenings, warmer weather and cooler drinks. The dull winter is long gone and it's looking more like Spring. People just seem so much happier when the sun's out and having the sun shining definitely helps when I'm trying to complete assignments.

4. I paid off my holiday

It's such a relief when you pay off a holiday and I've finally got round to doing it. This year's holiday is a pretty expensive one so I couldn't wait to pay it off, now I just want to go! I can use the extra money to buy plenty of holiday clothes now.

5. September can't come soon enough

I know it's only March and we've still got the summer to enjoy but I just can't wait to start teaching in September. This month, my timetable was sent out, along with a portfolio of how the year will run and how I'll be assessed and it's really made it all seem so much more exciting. Bring it on.

6. Catching up with friends

I really don't see my friends enough. When it comes to organised meals, nights out and shopping trips, it always seems as though dates don't work out or things get re-scheduled. This month, I caught up with some of my lovely friends and I can't wait to be able to see them a lot more after uni.

7. Graduation

Last week, I finally received my graduation date. Although it's not for another 8 months, I'm already looking forward to the day. Having graduation in mind has given me so much motivation to complete my work to the best of my ability and have a goal set in my mind.

8. Spoiling my Mum

I love buying gifts for my Mum and she definitely deserves a lot more than I can afford but I enjoyed spoiling her this Mother's Day. I also fought hard to find the perfect present for my Nan's birthday but finally settled on some summer essentials from her favourite shop.

9. My sister came home

My sister lives away at university and although I speak to her every day, I don't see her as much as I'd like. She came home for Mother's Day weekend to celebrate our Nan's birthday and see the family, which was lovely.

10. Work experience

I completed a weeks work experience at Gloucestershire Live and the Gloucestershire Echo at the start of March, which I really enjoyed. I spent the week talking to new people, interviewing shop owners, writing pieces for online and newspapers and having lot of laughs in the office. It was such a good week, made even better by having 5 published pieces in the paper.

Interior Inspiration

Image from Lydia Elise Millen

Although I don't have my own house yet, I am obsessed with interiors. Whether it's wandering round a homeware store looking for inspiration or following the most gorgeous Instagram accounts, I love eyeing up interior trends, textures and searching for new ideas. From chesterfield inspired furniture to chunky blankets, silver statements to soft pastels, I can't stop saving and scrapbooking ideas of how my house will look in the future.
Here's some of the accounts I follow and interior trends I love...

Da var det snart helg igjen, dere 🙋 Herlighet, dagene går så fort! Nyt torsdagskvelden, fininger ❤❤

A post shared by Sandra 💎 (@homebysandraa) on Feb 9, 2017 at 11:56am PST

We're mad for marble 💗 ! Prices from €2.50/$3 #PrimarkHome #Primark #Homeware

A post shared by Primark (@primark) on Aug 18, 2016 at 6:02am PDT

What an entrance 😍😍😍😍 #furniture #furnituredesign #furnitureporn #furnitureshopping #interior #instagood #instacool #picoftheday #interiordesign #design #interiordesigner #shabbychicfurniture #interiors #shabbystore #follow #shabbychic #love #shabbychicstyle #shabbychicdecor #decor #renovate #renovation #house #homestyle #home #homeinspo #homeinspiration #accessories #luxury #luxurylifestlye www.shabbystore.co.uk

A post shared by Shabby Store (@theshabbystore) on Jan 18, 2017 at 1:16am PST

From florals to frills, cosy cushions are taking centre stage in #VHCheltenham! #cosy #interiors #floral #snug #home

A post shared by Vinegar Hill (@vinegarhill) on Jan 28, 2016 at 10:43am PST

Hope you’re all having a good day! I’m adding pops of colour to my living room in an attempt to cure the January blues & embrace upcoming spring. Adding pastels in the form of this super soft mohair throw, Mongolian cushion & floral prints give a delicate, feminine look. Floral Cushions 🔎 s2639484 Faux Mongolian Fur Cushion 🔎 s2576678 Embroidered Edge Cushion 🔎 s2641771

A post shared by Matalan (@shopmatalan) on Jan 24, 2017 at 5:18am PST

Dreaming of this white closet design😍 Who else would love a walk-in like this?? Credit: @ma_house #brightlightinterior . . . . #interiordesign #interiordecor #interior #interiorinspiration #inspiration #decor #home #homedecor #homedesign #design #homeinterior #homesweethome #homestyle #designinspiration #house #interiordecorating #interiorinspo #instadecor #diy #styling #interiør #interiorideas #instadesign #dreamhome #closet #walkincloset #dreamcloset #allwhiteeverything #closetgoals

A post shared by @bright.light.interior on Mar 5, 2017 at 6:41am PST

Such a perfect weather today☀️❄️😍 Have a wonderful saturday! . . .

A post shared by Home by Minna Kalliokulju 💎 (@mk_maison) on Feb 25, 2017 at 12:40am PST

Wrap up and stay outside for longer. Get your patio in shape for those cosy autumn evenings.

A post shared by IKEA UK (@ikeauk) on Oct 26, 2016 at 3:33am PDT

God kveld✨ Sweet Dreams! ✨ #tb #hallway

A post shared by Maren Andersen (@bma.interior) on Mar 12, 2017 at 2:35pm PDT

More fabulous faux florals in-store – thanks for sharing @hannacornish #interior #interiordesign #interiorstyle #interiorlovers #interiorstyling #homestyle home #interiorinspo #lbloggers #decor #stylingtheseasons #spring #floral

A post shared by HomeSense (@myhomesense) on Feb 9, 2017 at 5:35am PST

Gift Guide: Mother's Day

Image from Pixabay

Mother's Day is just around the corner! With so many shops offering great Mother's Day deals and new products, there's no reason to leave your gift buying to the last minute. From cards to handbags, perfume to mugs, there's no excuse for showing your Mum how much she means to you with a small gift. 

Here's my Mother's Day gift guide suitable for any budget:

The Bag

If you're looking to spend more on your Mum this year, this Radley Multiway Bag from House of Fraser is the perfect buy. A beautiful blue handbag will see your Mum perfectly dressed for Spring and with an additional 20% off at the moment, what's not to love? 

Radley Bag - £135.20

The Personalised Gift

A personalised gift will always add that extra special touch. This keyring from The Laser Boutique is perfect for Mum's with younger children, with names embossed onto delicate hearts. It also comes in a presentation box, essential for those who hate the hassle!

Keyring - £9.99

The Cute Buy

When buying presents, I always end up buying for myself or buying a gift because I love it. This umbrella from ASOS is so pretty and definitely one I would be borrowing off my Mum! The classic duck head handle and beautiful shade of pink stand out and add a colour pop to any outfit.

Duckhead Pastel Pink Umbrella - £22

The Essential

It wouldn't be a gift guide without a stereotypical gift and this time, this mug has won me over. It's very minimal and delicate and in typical Not On The High Street style, has it's message written in a pretty, ditsy font. Perfect if your Mum loves her tea or coffee.

Mug from Owl & Otter - £13.50

The Luxury Item

This gorgeous fragrance is the perfect Mother's Day buy. A gentle, sweet scent enclosed in a bold, powerful bottle with a message that would put a smile on your Mum's face. Net-A-Porter have a large range of fragrances by the renowned perfumer Azzi Glasser but this is the perfect pick.

Bella Freud Parfum - £95

The Obvious

What would Mother's Day be without a candle? Yes it's an obvious choice but this beauty from The White Company couldn't be ignored. It's fresh, light and sweet aroma oozes Spring scents and is the perfect candle to pick up as the weather gets warmer.

Spring Candle - £20

The Unusual

Prosecco and strawberries are the perfect Mother's Day treat and these offer something a bit different, they're made of chocolate! What could be better? Choc On Choc are my favourite chocolate company and their take on everyday items and foods make for a brilliant, unique gift.

Chocolate Prosecco and Strawberries - £18

The Funny Gift

Enid Blyton's books will always be the best reminder from your childhood and this Mother's Day book is a funny alternative for any Mum. Waterstones currently have it on offer so grab it quick if your Mum loves a fun read.

Five Forget Mother's Day - £5.99

The 'I still don't know what to buy' Gift

It's always difficult choosing a gift and if you're still unsure on the perfect buy, let your Mum choose herself. Tesco currently have 20% off selected gift cards including ASK Italian, Pizza Express, Gap and Monsoon. Treat your Mum to a meal out or their choice of summer pieces.

Various Gift Cards - 20% off

Social media: Why I use it and what it means to me

Image from Pixabay

Contacts

One of the first tips I was told as a student journalist is to make sure my social media is up to scratch; constantly updated, chat with industry professionals online, remove old or inappropriate posts and follow the people that you aspire to be like or who has your dream job. This is probably the best advice I've been told. Since posting professional content, I've seen an increase in activity, with followers from industry professionals and a bigger following on my blog. Building contacts is good in any profession and you never know what you'll get from following someone on Twitter or commenting on someone's Instagram post.

News

Social media has changed the way in which traditional news platforms report news. Most people now see stories first on Facebook, especially if they follow any news outlets on there, but even through shares, likes and comments. Newspapers are now providing digital content for the majority of their stories; political, entertainment, business or just general news, helping more people than ever become interested in news. Over 80% of people now source their news online and social media has been the biggest influence on that number, especially in generating more people, who wouldn't have before, to read news.

Family

Keeping in contact with my family is so important to me, especially as my family live all over the UK and since my Uncle moved over to Madrid. Social media completely changed the way I chat to my family and friends, with it being so easy to keep in touch, see what people are up to and message them. From double-tapping pictures and videos on Instagram to liking status's on Facebook and messaging each other, I feel closer than ever to my family who I may not see as often as I'd like... simply down to the introduction of social media!

Trends

Similarly to news outlets, trending stories have completely changed the way that news is now provided. Whether it's a trending hashtag on Twitter to a story on Facebook, trends are purely there because so many people are talking about a certain topic. It now takes just seconds to open an app and see what's going on; a killer speech at the Grammys, important election results, the latest sports scores or even a pregnancy reveal!

Job Opportunities

Social media isn't just about checking in with your friends and having a laugh. As I've made my way through university, I've realised how important social media accounts are in reflecting your brand, personality and enthusiasm when it comes to future careers. Creating a professional Facebook and Twitter account helped my following and got me in touch with people I wouldn't have dreamed about speaking to before and creating a LinkedIn account is certainly the best thing I could have done while looking for job opportunities. Don't hold back when it comes to getting your name out there and showing your skills off!


Check out this post for tips on how to transform your social media:

International Women's Day

Image from Wikimedia Commons

International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and is there to accelerate gender equality. Since the day was first celebrated in the early 1900's, it's given women all over the world a chance to speak out and have their voices heard.

I'm marking the day by sharing my favourite quotes from some of my favourite women:

"Your self-worth is determined by you. You don't have to depend on someone telling you who you are." - Beyonce

"Let's be very clear: Strong men - men who are truly role models - don't need to put down women to make themselves feel powerful. People who are truly strong lift each other up. People who are truly powerful bring others together." - Michelle Obama

"I'm doing to do what I want to do. I'm going to be who I really am. I'm going to figure out what that is." - Emma Watson

"There's something so special about a woman who dominates in a man's world. It takes a certain grace, strength, intelligence, fearlessness, and the nerve to never take no for an answer." - Rihanna

"If you want something said, ask a man; if you want something done, ask a woman." - Margaret Thatcher

"I speak not for myself but  for those without a voice... those who have fought for their rights... their right to live in peace, their right to be treated with dignity, their right to equality of opportunity, their right to be educated." - Malala Yousafzai

Happy #internationalwomensday to all of you amazing ladies! 🙌🏼💟 #luciedelafalaise #StormLoves pic.twitter.com/6ce0cAPtJT

— StormModelManagement (@StormModels) March 8, 2017

÷

Image from RollingStone

In 2011, I stood at the back of Wembley Arena and watched Ed Sheeran perform for the first time. The softness in his voice during Small Bump silenced the whole crowd and his pedal work during No Diggity sparked energy throughout. Since that day, I have been a huge fan. Ed's incredible voice is one thing, but his stage presence and personally is another. He is a genuine, down-to-earth guy who loves what he does and is where he is now due to simply working hard and having passion for music.

This year's album has been much-anticipated for me. From You Need Me to Loose Change, No.5 Collaborations to X, all his other albums have been faultless and I think Divide continues that trend. Ed always shows his versatility off and I can't wait to see how he changes his songs from this album to suit a live crowd.

Ed knows how to drop a bombshell and at the Brit Awards this year, that's what he definitely did. Bringing Stormzy onto the stage with him became everybody's 'moment' of the evening. A clever publicity piece to promote both their album's dropping in the same week? Probably. Even so, it was an incredible moment and a performance that people will talk about for weeks.

The singer-songwriter's latest album is exactly what I was hoping for; beautiful lyrics, witty lines and a whole mix of beats. There is a song for everyone on this album, and Ed is definitely skillful musician in the way that he really is loved by everyone. Guys love him, girls love him, even my Nan loves him. I'm a complete sucker for this album and it sounds brilliant on vinyl - an added bonus.

Eraser is a peculiar start to this album, as Ed admits that he is no rapper, however listening to the lyrics, you can see why he would choose such a strong message to begin Divide. Castle on the Hill is where the album really gets going and How Would You Feel is no surprise, a typically beautiful song, perfectly constructed to be the soundtrack to many 2017 weddings. The foot-stomping, drunken-rambling tune of Galway Girl is super catchy and definitely one I could see myself singing along to after a few drinks! I can't wait to see more of this album, hear reactions to the songs and watch how it will grow through the summer.

Quitting music, found a new job. New album out now - https://t.co/zcIzlFOm8C pic.twitter.com/mr0nJPb7gk

— Ed Sheeran (@edsheeran) March 3, 2017

Up and Running

Image from Infinity House Magazine

At the beginning of 2017, I didn't make any resolutions. Instead, I decided to be spontaneous; try my best, do things that make me happy and take things as they come. Something I have stuck to, so far, is running frequently. And here's why...

I really enjoy running, however, it's something I've always struggled with. From cross country at middle school to bleep tests at high school, I was always trailing at the back, struggling on but still giving it a go! I love the idea of running, I'm sure many people can associate themselves with that, but when it actually comes to heading out, I feel silly and worry about being slow.

That's definitely changed. I don't care how slow I am running, I'm still lapping everyone sat on their sofas at home! My times have improved on every run I have done and I'm feeling the difference. I now look forward to going for a run and don't mind when I'm left at the back. It probably helps that I run around country villages, down lanes and through fields; it's so pretty and takes my mind off what I'm actually doing.

Another reason why I decide to start running was that it makes me happier. No, I'm not moody... but since starting university, I've been getting so stressed, especially now in my final year. Running takes my mind off the piles of work and assignments I have to complete and makes me think more positively, improving my motivation to do work and be more enthusiastic. 

So, although I may not be the best at running (I mean, I wouldn't even think about a 10K!), it's definitely made me a more energised, enthusiastic person. Oh, and I'm feeling a little happier about throwing on a bikini this summer too!

It's a new month! Stay accountable and let us know, what goal are you going to tackle in February? pic.twitter.com/oxwuCfO1Nj

— Women's Running (@WomensRunning) February 1, 2017