Australia Exploring #2!

I decided to give my solo adventuring another go yesterday and I managed with a little more success this time! I did get lost and walk for a hell of a long time before I came to the realisation I had no clue where I was, but it's all good because I figured it out and got there eventually (just so I don't look like I have zero navigational skills, because I do have some (I think), I would like to take this moment to point out that my friend gave me directions and missed out a vital point for along the way: turn left)!

My  adventures took me to two places because I just happened to come across one as I was searching for the other and I thought why not go there as well. 

The first place I went to, rather spontaneously, was The Shrine of Remembrance and I have to say it was extremely interesting. I love history so being able to read all about Australia in WWI left me right in my element, and the building itself was incredible - just make sure you don't have an aversion to steps before you go because there's quite a few, but it's well worth it and the view at the top is amazing.

The second place, the one I was originally trying to get to before I took my little detour, was the Royal Botanic Gardens and maaaan had I looked forward to going there. I have never been to a more peaceful and beautiful place ever and, despite the fact I spent a good couple of hours there, I know there's still loads I haven't seen. It's one of those places that I think I could walk around forever and still always find something new. I can only describe it as exceptionally stunning and that doesn't even do it justice.

Fun little story; when I was at the Royal Botanic Gardens there were lots of people taking photos of each other and I thought 'wouldn't a picture surrounded by all of this be lovely, I'll ask someone to take mine', so I did. I asked a gentleman who didn't speak a lot of English but seemed lovely and was already taking pictures, he agreed with lots of nods and smiles and I gave him my camera and showed him which button to press. Now what I didn't realise when I gave this nice gentleman my camera was that he thought of himself as a bit of a photographer, so he proceeded to go from different angles whilst he knelt down on the ground (mate, I don't need to see all my chins and lumps and bumps in every photo). He then asked me to do different poses only, due to the language barrier, I didn't understand this so he started demonstrating and what could I do apart from my best to re-enact them?! So here I was, in this beautiful place, surrounded by stunning views, getting a million and one unflattering photos taken of me, even though I only asked for a simple one - which I still didn't really get in the end. But hey, it's one funny memory to look back on!

Also, there were these really cute ducklings.

Katie x

Music Crush #23

A second Music Crush in one week, what a treat!

I couldn't let this song wait another week so I thought I'd just make two Music Crushes this week because it's been a long time since I posted before this week anyway, so think of this as a 'thank-you for still reading!' Music Crush.

Charlie Simpson

~ ~ ~

Little Hands

As always, although this is a second Music Crush in one week so I'm cheating a little anyway, I struggled with picking which song I liked best from Simpson's new album (named after the song I finally chose, Little Hands) but I had to go with this one because it was the first I listened to from this album and loved it instantly, so hopefully it will infect you in the same way it did me. 

If you've read the other Music Crush I posted this week (HERE) then you'll maybe notice that I'm obsessed with slower songs at the moment, but most of this album is pretty slow so if that's not your kind of thing then this might not be either, but I'd give it a go because Charlie Simpson has just got one of those voices that seems to soothe. I could listen to him sing all day - I could (and do) easily listen to this song over and over again.

I've loved Charlie Simpson for a long time (even in the original Busted days) but I think he went to a whole new level when he brought out his first solo album, Young Pilgrim (once upon a time I did a Music Crush on a song from that album HERE too ;) ), so as soon as I heard he was releasing another album it was obvious that I was going to love it. There's just something about that deep voice that seems to lull me to a new little place.

It's just such a beautiful song and you definitely should listen to it; it's not just a song either, it really does tell a story too, maybe that's part of the reason I love it so much. Go have a listen and see what you think.

Unfortunately, I struggled to find a full version on YouTube that was decent quality too but you might be able to find one, or the whole album is on Spotify (for free if you just want a quick listen) and Apple Music, so go and have a little hunt and enjoy.

Katie x

Music Crush #22

It's been a hell of a long time since I wrote a Music Crush but man have I missed it! There was no indecision this week, I knew what my main love was straight away. There will be two Music Crushes this week though: one, because it's been so long and, two, because there was a small bit of indecision, but only a little bit.

X Ambassadors

~ ~ ~

Unsteady (Erich Lee Gravity Remix)

I cannot even put into words how much I freakin' love this song. 

We'll just get over the Me Before You part first - I went to see it, bawled like a baby, couldn't stop thinking about it, hunted down the soundtrack, fell in love with this song, couldn't stop thinking about it even more.

Also, can we just take a moment to stop and appreciate Emilia Clarke in that red dress. She looks stunning and somehow pulls it off effortlessly, I expected to fall in love with Sam Claflin (partially because I was already in love with him) but I didn't realise how much I'd appreciate how incredible Emilia Clarke was in this movie. Anyway, on to the song, this isn't supposed to be about the actors/actresses, I knowwww.

If you've seen Me Before You then I think you'll understand what I mean when I say everything about this song just seems to fit the movie and the story it tells perfectly.

I'm actually in love with the entire soundtrack, Not Today by Imagine Dragons is also incredible but I don't think anything can beat the way this song makes me feel. 

The beat is so dramatic and makes me feel the rising tension of the movie throughout my whole body and the words always just get me. They make me think of Will when you can see that his whole life is being turned upside down by Lou and her decision to try and make his life a happier one. It's just perfect and it never fails to move me and send me to a different world, no, a different universe every time I listen to it.

Go have a listen and, if you've seen the movie, have your insides torn out all over again:

Katie x

Confidence is Beautiful

A few days ago my friends and I went to Gradball - we got dressed up and went out to this end of year event because we've finally finished university (YAY!). We had a great time and took tons of pictures. 

Today I decided to upload one of those to my Facebook as my profile picture; this one to be exact:

In this photo, I feel confident. I love my smile, I love the fact that I have a tan (a rare occurrence), I like my hair, my makeup, I like everything about this picture. 

What I didn't expect was to upload it to Facebook and get comments about it being 'too revealing'. Albeit most of these comments were from family but to me that didn't make it any better. 

Yes, this is not the kind of photo I would normally take or post on social media but, whether that is the case or not, what is to say that I shouldn't when I feel hella good in it? 

There was a comment that said I needed to put more clothes on, another that said it was a bit revealing and one that said I should put my boobs away. First of all, there is barely any boob on show in my opinion, just skin, and why can't I post a picture where god forbid there's some kind of skin showing in it anyway, when it's okay for a man to post a picture of himself topless? Or it's okay for another girl to post a picture of herself in a bikini? Are neither of those revealing? Because I rarely see comments on those photos telling them so.

Personally when I see pictures of other people, like the one I took, or even just pictures where someone's wearing a beautiful dress or looking very dapper in their suit, I tend to look and think 'wow, they look amazing'. Not once have I ever considered telling them they have too much skin on show.

I'm a self conscious person at the best of times, so the fact that I looked at this picture and thought that I looked confident and happy in it made me happy, but then comments telling me to 'put it away' made me question that, leaving me feeling less than happy about the photo in the end. I debated taking it down and just changing it back to my old picture (where I'm wearing a jumper so there can be no arguments about revealing too much there - although if I was to have had that picture taken standing up I was wearing a skirt, so I guess that outfit would probably be too revealing as well), but then I came to the conclusion that why should I?

Not nearly enough people in this world have enough confidence, never mind body confidence and, I'm not going to lie, it's not something I have a lot of either, but if I feel good in this picture then I shouldn't let a few comments change my mind about that.

I know that none of the comments made were meant to make me feel less confident or less happy with myself but that doesn't change the fact that they did. They made me question myself. It may not be the kind of picture I would normally post but that doesn't mean I shouldn't post it. Since when did showing off some skin become such a taboo thing in the 21st century? I've seen plenty of celebrities online and in magazines wearing outfits that are a lot more revealing than a bit of my chest so surely I cannot be seen as a bad influence to any of the young people in my family that might see this photo - surely, if anything, it should be a good thing for them to see someone looking confident and happy with themselves.

So many people of all ages, but especially younger people, have problems with their self-esteem because of celebrities and their friends at school. They need to know that it's okay to be happy with yourself. One young girl in my family has just got Facebook, she's only eleven but she pouts in nearly every photo and everybody is always telling her she doesn't need to pout to be beautiful but she always replies saying yes she does. Is that how we want such a young generation to think? That they have to be like everyone else and think they have to act a certain way to be beautiful? They don't. Everyone is beautiful when they're themselves.

Confidence is beautiful.

Katie x

For the Birthday Princess...

Dear Little One,

This is just a little letter to you that, I hope, one day in the future when you're all grown up, you'll read and see just how much I love you and how special you are.

You're officially two as of the exact time this post went up!

Until there is someone as special as you in your own life, you will never understand just how quick you're growing up. I remember the first day I saw you, and the next day, and the day after that too. (Shhh, don't tell your sisters but you were definitely the most well-behaved baby out of the three of you ;) ). You were the most precious little thing I'd ever seen, in your bundle of pinkness! This is a warning, Daisy Doo, stop growing up! Even when you're thirteen, and probably don't want big hugs from me, I'll be giving them to you, because you'll always be my baby goddaughter that nuzzled into my chest when you couldn't sleep.

I know I'm bias, so some might say my opinion doesn't really count, but you're the most beautiful little girl there is, with your big blue eyes and little blonde pigtails - you make my heart melt, baby girl - dye your hair and I'm going to cry... Buckets! Seriously. Don't dye your hair. It's beautiful. And don't you dare ever let anybody tell you you're not the most stunning and delicate Little One that they ever did see, because you just tell me and I'm gonna go kick some butt! You're amazing.

Every time I see you, no matter how often it is, you always seem to have grown up that little bit more, saying new words  - your current favourites are "owanges", "no", "babyyy" and "baf", just in case you're wondering - and doing new things; I know you'll be off to school before I know it!

It was because of me going to university that we started our real, whole-day little park days and play dates - it was something that just the two of us could do together and get some proper Daisy and Tatie time, and I could spoil you tons too (remember, all of those bubbles and cakes are a secret from mummy - we always forget to save any for the grown-ups ;) ). It's also probably the reason that every time you manage to get hold of my phone you look at it and go "cheeeeeese" with a big, cheesy grin on your face.

You make me smile on days you don't even know I'm feeling down and, it's on them days especially, I don't know what I'd do without you. You're this gorgeous little light that nobody can help but love. All I ever want to do is see that smile on your face and I'm not going to be happy if anyone ever stops you from smiling - I'll kick their butt too! Promise.

There is nothing I wouldn't do for you (and you know it, I'm sure!), every time I walk through the door you have that cheeky grin on your face, as if to say you already have planned where you're taking me to that day (I don't get the choice, I just follow, and that's the way I love it). One day you can hopefully look back at this blog, figure out how this blog came about (I know you're going to be a clever girl, so that shouldn't be difficult for you) and see all of the different places we've been and what we've done.

I love you so much, Little One.

Tatie xxxxxx

P.s. I have a lot of embarrassing baby pictures of you, expect me to show them to any and all future boyfriends - it's in my Godmother contract!

The Blacksmith Arms

Hello!

I've been for a delicious meal with my grandparents, before I start work today - it was scrummy!

I'm not sure if there are any observant readers out there who read the boring location bit of my blog posts but, if there are any, you will notice that they alternate a lot between Cumbria and Lockerbie; one being my mums home, the other being my grandparents. I visit them a lot in the summer holidays, so my having a job now is slightly putting that off track!

Anyway, to make up for it we went for a lovely meal (and pudding, obviously) to the Blacksmith Arms, in Talkin Tarn. It's my grandad and I's first choice of place to go if we're on a rare occasion of eating out. 

The food there is amazing. There aren't enough words in the English language to describe just how good it is, and as for the chocolate fudge cake, it makes my mouth water just at the thought of it... Mmmmm.

I did mean to take a picture of how yummy the food looks but I started eating it before I remembered - oops!

Talkin Tarn is a beautiful place and the Blacksmiths is only a few minutes away from it. It's super scenic and there are oodles of different walking trails too, for the walkers out there!

It's such a stunning and charming little place that it definitely deserves a visit, especially if you don't live too far from it. Take advantage of these lovely, uncommon English summer days and go visit Talkin Tarn.

Katie x

The Sunny One

Hello!

Yesterday was an actual, fatual sunny day! Believe it or not, they are very rare where I live so, obviously, sun can mean only one thing a trip to the park with my Little One! 

As soon as I walked through the door, she looked at me, grinned and started shouting "shoes on! Shoes on! Out! Paaaark!" - she knows if I go to visit and it's sunny then we go out, so we did and what a lovely afternoon we had, too!

Ice-pops are just crazy-exciting!

Spot the birdies!

I have my own miniature Hermoine Granger - she even ran around the park waving the stick and saying "abbacababa" - in other words "abracadabra" - it's not hard to see where her big sisters are rubbing off on her!

Katie x

A Lovely Few Weeks!

Hello!

I'm back!

Sorry for my notably long absence but, as I'm sure any frequent readers know, I've been on my holidays and to say the wi-fi there was awful would be an understatement - they may as well have not had any, it was that bad. My brother also got married this week so when we came back off holiday a lot of my time was thrown into helping them get organised for the big day.

I'm back now though, so you can expect a lot more blog posts to be coming your way!

I figured since it's been a while since I've blogged I'd ease myself back into it with a general little chat and life update for y'all.

Despite the lack of decent wi-fi, our holiday was still incredible. In fact, maybe the lack of wi-fi made it better, it meant you weren't stressing so much about what was happening at home. It definitely made it more relaxing.

We went to this quaint little hotel in Ovacik, Turkey, called Hotel Leytur and it was positively adorable.

This is the second time we've been to this particular hotel and I just love how quiet and relaxed it is. It's not right in the middle of an enormous, lively city but it's not far away from a little bustling one known as Hisaronu (there's supposed to be some accent-y things over certain letters in 'Hisaronu' too but that's just too complicated to try and add). If you wanted to go out for a night or have a change of scenery it's easy to just jump on a doormush (minibus) and it's only five minutes away. We went there a couple of times and I can definitely see why people describe it as the 'Turkish Blackpool' because that's exactly what it reminds me of. It has all of the lights and activity that Blackpool has - it even has a miniature fun fair!

There was a Turkish Night whilst we were staying there too, where they had a BBQ Grill type-thing outside - there was sooooo much yummy food, I was completely and utterly stuffed! They had a belly dancer too after all of the food, who was not only an amazing dancer but she was hilarious too! She got loads of the people staying at the hotel up to dance with her and it's safe to say that a lot of them had the dancing abilities of an awkward giraffe!

It was a fantastic little get away for my mama and I and I'd recommend it to anyone, especially if you like to just sunbathe by the cleanest pool you've ever seen and relax for the duration. It's perfect.

We only arrived back two days before the wedding so there wasn't much time to do anything else, although I did manage to squeeze in an afternoon with Daisy, which was just super cute, as always!

Then it was the wedding my whole family had been waiting for! 

My big brother finally tied the knot! It was something that, although him and his partner had been together for over ten years, we never actually thought would happen. I always remember when I was little and I'd play with my dress up dolls and read books about Cinderella getting married to her Prince Charming, my brother would tell me he didn't see the point in marriage, it was just a posh piece of paper after all. None of us ever thought someone would manage to change his stubborn mind but they did and I couldn't be happier for them! 

It was a truly wonderful and stunning day and the weather managed to stay amazing for the whole day, too! I would say welcome to the family to his new wife but she's always really been part of the family to me, so there's not much point!

And that's everything. That has been my life up to now... Aside from the part where I left my kindle in Starbucks on Friday - that wasn't fun. I'm pretty sure my heart still hasn't returned to the correct rhythm after that wee heart attack. Don't worry, my kindle and I have been reunited and we've been spending a lot of time together in our attempt to put the mistake behind us and continue with our relationship...

Katie x