Time to Blog!

My final year of university is over!

I've finally finished my dissertation, all of my essays and exams. I've finished my final year of university. You have no idea how weird it feels to say that (or type it actually). It's bittersweet, that's for sure.

The past year has been more than stressful, especially the last six months, but now that it's over I miss it already. I now have that problem of praying I pass my degree and trying to find a job in a world with very few jobs actually going. So big thumbs up to me. I'm an adult. And I'm not sure I'm liking it, but I'll just keep telling myself I'm still getting accustomed to it. I still find myself looking around for the adult when something happens and then I have that awful moment of realising 'oh sh*t, that's me'.

I do have a few things I'm looking forward to now that I don't have constant work to do morning and night, like blogging *wink, wink* and reading. Oh my god, how I want to read! I haven't read a book (that wasn't for uni, and even then...) in a very, very long time. I read one book for my own pleasure at christmas and that was it. Do you realise how depressing that is? I basically haven't been happy because I haven't had good books in my life for nearly a year. And now I'm happy that I can read. Woop, woop!!! Also, I can finally start binge watching Grey's Anatomy again, because I had quite the obsession until I had to make myself stop because I was doing that thing where you think 'I'll watch one episode then I'll do some work' and seven hours later I was still watching it, it was dark outside and I had to go to bed, still having done no work. So I had to stop. Go cold turkey. Otherwise I had no chance of getting this degree. But now I can have all of the happy things in my life back! Also, season 4 of Orange is the New Black just came out on Netflix so I have to fit that in one day too, but it's all good because I've got time, time and more time on my hands.

So, I guess it's time for a life update. It's been what? Six months, since I last posted on here?

Well, as much as I would like to say a lot has happened (although a lot of lovely things have happened) there haven't been too many adventures that haven't involved being at the library at 9 in the morning and leaving at 9 at night.

We've had Christmas, which was awesome, of course - when is Christmas not? Bit strange talking about Christmas when we're only six months away from the next one, but I'm meant to be catching you up on the awesome things, so I've gotta mention it.

I also got to go on this amazing week away at the beginning of February, to this lovely place called Thanet Well in the Lake District. My mum and I stayed in this amazing lodge with a jacuzzi and, basically, I had the time of my life and got a week to relax as an early birthday present from my mama (as well as it being a birthday present from my mama to herself - I'm sure she likes to pretend she was only doing it for me, but we all know she enjoyed herself too!). I didn't do any work for the week because it was the rules. No work was to be done. And I was perfectly okay with that rule. We basically spent the entire time in the jacuzzi. I used to think why would anyone want to go in a jacuzzi in winter when it's freezing cold but, actually, it made it a million times better. I don't like the idea of going in a jacuzzi in the summer because I'm a hot, sweaty, unattractive mess as it is, the last thing I want is more heat. Whereas, in the winter it's perfect because when you're inside the water you're at the perfect temperature and you can easily lie there forever (but you can't because, ya know, it's not good for you or something). I also got the best surprise when one day all of my favourite little ones arrived for the whole day to come and play, because my very thoughtful mum knew I was a bit upset that I was home for the week and wouldn't get to see them (don't get me wrong though, I was super grateful to be able to go the lodge, so I wasn't going to complain) but when they turned up I legit nearly cried because I couldn't believe my mum had been so thoughtful to not only book and organise the lodge but to invite them for a day too!

I also got to go on a lovely spa break in the Easter holidays, because I very thoughtfully organised for my mum to go on a spa break as a Christmas present and it worked extremely well in my favour too because obviously I couldn't let her go alone... So once again, I got another relaxing little weekend break but I did have to take my work with me on that trip, but it was still incredible.

There was a lot of time spent on my dissertation, so obviously when I completed it I was more than proud, I nearly cried handing it in because I spent a year writing it and I'm proud of how it turned out. Part of me didn't want to hand it over, it was, and is, my baby but, obviously, I was being irrational and needed to hand it in. So I did. Then went for Nandos after to celebrate. Because what better thing is there to do!

We made sure that we got tickets to the university Varsity this year. If you don't know what the varsity is then it's basically when the two universities from the same area go head-to-head - so here it's Nottingham Trent University (woo!) against The University of Nottingham (boo!). Considering this was our final year at uni and we've failed to get tickets every year, we took no chances and got tickets to the basketball and, of course, the ice hockey as soon as they went on sale.

My birthday came around, just my 21st, nothing important, ya know. My grandparents came to visit me for the whole week in Nottingham because I had too many deadlines to go home. It was absolutely lovely to have them here, if not a little cold at times considering we were staying in a caravan but I actually couldn't have loved it more just because my grandparents were there and I got to celebrate my 21st with them.

Whilst my grandma and grandad were here we went to The Heights of Abraham in Matlock. You go up in this little cable cart to the top of the mountain. The best way to describe Matlock is like a bowl (I think there's actually a part of it that's called Matlock Bath because that's exactly what it's like). When you're at the bottom it's like you're in a huge bowl with all the sides going up around you and you're the cereal, then these cable carts can take you up to the heights (like we're the cereal on the spoon) and the views up there are out of this world. It was incredible. Slightly scary taking two dogs in the cable cart with us though, especially when one has a tendency to be hyper...

Finally, earlier this week me and two of my friends went to Gradball. It has never been nicer to let my hair down and celebrate that we've finally finished, after three, long at time/short at others, years at university. (I also did a bit of a side-post a few days ago on an annoying thing about posting pictures to social media HERE). It's finally hit home that we're finished. Done. What made it hit home even more? My student discount ended this week. That moment was sadder than the end of university. I don't think I can ever shop again knowing I'm going to have to pay full price.

So that's us up to date I think, now let's get on to more exciting blog posts (hopefully anyway!).

Katie x

Music Crush #21

It's such a long time since I've written a music crush that it feels so weird to be picking out a favourite song once again - back to being indecisive!

It's December, so it goes without saying that I've chosen a Christmas song. 

Now everyone knows the classic Christmas songs and they're normally involving Mariah Carey, Wizzard, Michael Buble, etc. etc. etc. But, in an attempt not to be predictable, I haven't chosen one of those people and instead I've chosen a more modern, newer favourite.

Kelly Clarkson

~ ~ ~

Run Run Rudolph

Now I'm a hundred percent sure that this is a cover on her album Wrapped In Red because I've heard this song a million times in the movie Home Alone. I'm also a hundred percent sure that I have no idea who originally sang it and I'm too lazy to go and google it, but if it bothers you that much than you can always google it yourself (like I probably will at three 'o' clock in the morning when it's annoying me so much I can't sleep!).

Basically, there is two main reasons that I love this song.

One: It's a Christmas song.

Two: It's a Christmas song sang by Kelly Clarkson.

And they are the only reasons I have for loving it but I do!

Katie x

Who Are You Again?

Why hello there!

Who are you again, you ask?

I've been asking myself that same question lately!

I apologise profusely for my lack of existence on here in a loooooong time. I honestly just haven't felt like blogging for a long time. A lot has been happening in my personal life as well as uni kicking my ass - they weren't lying when they said third year was going to be a testing year! I also got a new job a few months ago, so juggling that and my uni work is proving to be... a little challenging to say the least.

It's nearly Christmas though! Woop woop!

And we all know I have a deep love for Christmas. I've been to the Nottingham Christmas Light Switch-On (again), and then of course I've been around the Winter Wonderland market here (obviously).                                

I also went to meet my bestest girl in Manchester so that we could catch-up whilst drinking mulled wine and touring the huge Christmas Market there - it was incredible (again, obviously).     

I officially finished all of my uni deadlines for this term on last Friday too, which means I've finished all my deadlines for this year! How freakin' crazy is that?! It does mean I could relax a little bit more though for my final week of uni before I go home and get all the baby cuddles and snuggles. Then again, a lot of said babies are getting older now and try to wriggle away when I finally catch them to steal a cuddle *insert my sad, pouty face*.

I guess I have a hell of a lot to catch you up on then, considering the last time I blogged was in June - I'm a bad person (and blogger), I know.

So what's there to tell you?

Well, I spent most of my summer working and going around lots of UK beaches with my grandparents in their caravan (I made a nearby beach be the specification to whichever campsite they looked at).

And of course I spent a hell of a lot of time with all my little ones. I took Daisy to Edinburgh for the day with my friend and we went to the zoo during my summer break as a late Christmas present/early birthday present for her. The week before we went and all of the day we went she was singing "We're going to the zoo, zoo, zoo" which is apparently a nursery rhyme she sings in nursery now, or so she told me. Whatever the case, it was the frickin' cutest thing you've ever seen!

Talking of my little munchkins, it was three of their birthdays and two in the same week during summer and they had an adorable little, frozen-themed, joint birthday party, which I was chief photographer for because I am the queen of taking too many pictures...

I also took way too many pictures a few months ago when we all went away for a little camping holiday which provided a well-needed break from uni as well as smiles and cuddles from a huge amount of cuteness!

My mama and I had a lovely little break away for a week in Glasgow. It was so relaxing and we got to catch up with some old friends too whilst we were there. My mum even let me drag her around the shops for the day, and anyone who knows my mum will know that this is a BIG deal because she hates shopping. And when I say 'hate' I mean hates shopping. So thanks for grinning and bearing it for me, mama.

I moved into a house with some of my uni girls, and my room is the best and the homiest ever (once again, thanks mama Fi *mwah*). I have a picture wall in the form of wardrobe doors this year, just to mix it up a bit. 

I was also lucky enough to get to go and see Imagine Dragons whilst they were in Nottingham on tour and it was, without doubt, one of the best concerts I've ever been to (although I feel like I say that about all of the concerts I go to).

I'm struggling to think of anything else worth telling you now... I've been so lucky to do so many lovely things lately that I just can't think of them all at once. That always happens, I sit down to write, thinking I've got so much to say, then realise, actually, I have nothing. Nada. Zero. Noth-ing.

Oh well. I hope you've enjoyed this little catch-up and, who knows, maybe I won't leave it six months before I blog again. Then again, maybe I will. Guess you'll just have to watch and see!

Katie x

(If you haven't already, please read my last blog post, it's an important one about the suffering my little hometown is going through at the moment. Just click HERE).

The Christmas Tag

I've seen this tag on quite a few blogs lately and I love seeing everyone's responses so I thought why not do it myself and get into the Christmas spirit!

1.

What is your favourite Christmas movie/s?

This could be a never-ending list if I'm not careful, but I'd say my all time favourite has to be The Santa Clause; it's hilarious! When I first watched it I was probably only about four or five and my brother used to constantly tease me that he was going to go and knock Santa off the roof so that he could become him. It's one of those movies that I have to watch every Christmas time when I want to get all festive = I find the best way to do it is to have a marathon with all three movies, one after the other.

2.

Do you open your presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning?

Always on Christmas day. I've heard of the tradition of opening them on Christmas Eve but I don't know anyone who does. It wouldn't feel like Christmas day to me if we didn't spend the morning opening presents.

3.

Do you have a favourite Christmas memory?

Christmas is, and always has been, one of my favourite times of year yet I can't actually think of a specific memory. I think it's because every Christmas is as brilliant and amazing as the last! I just love that it's the one time of year that my whole family come together at my grandma's house and we always have a great day.

4.

Favourite festive food?

Pigs in blankets, without a doubt. It's the only time of year we eat them and, oh my god, what kind of Christmas dinner would it be without them?!

5.

Favourite Christmas gift?

This is going to sound really weird to anyone who doesn't know me but a Ted Baker pen that my mum got me for Christmas last year. I only ever use it when I'm writing stories and it's probably one of my most prized possessions, I can't explain how upset I'd be if I lost it.

6.

Favourite Christmas scent?

I love the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon candles that you can usually only find at Christmas time, mmm, yep, they're the best.

7.

Do you have any Christmas Eve traditions?

I don't actually think we do... My mum and I tend to snuggle up and watch a Christmas movie whilst we wait for me stepdad to finish work, does that count?

8.

What tops your tree?

Well this one depends. I normally help decorate the tree at my mum's house and at my grandma and grandad's house and then I live between the two. If we're going to go with my mum then it's been a star for the past several years. If we're going with my grandparents, my grandma always has an angel topping the tree, always. 

9.

As a kid what was the one (crazy, wild, extravagant) gift you always asked for but never received?

I honestly don't think there was one... Apart from a giraffe. Every year that would go on my list, even though I knew it would never happen - Santa was always very thoughtful though and got me something giraffe-related, whether it be a cuddly toy or clothes or something else! Other than that I don't think there was anything I asked for and every year woke up hoping and half-expecting it to be the year. I was more likely to ask for more books than Santa could carry, I did circle half the Argos catalogue after all, as well as spend my nights making a list of all the books I hoped to read!

10.

What's the best part about Christmas for you?

Definitely Christmas day with my whole family. I normally open presents with my mum on Christmas morning and then my grandad will come and pick me up just before 12 and I'll go and help my grandma set up for the rest of the family coming in the afternoon and then we spend the entire night laughing and eating. It's the best time of year for us.

I'm in the festive spirit now, I think I'm going to have to go and have a Christmas movie marathon now! 

Here are a few of my favourite Christmas tags that I've read so far:

Be Beautiful
MakeupSavvy
Chloe's Way
Peaches and Smoke

Enjoy!

Katie x

Music Crush #15 (Playlist)!

Hey!

Obviously this weeks Music Crush had to be Christmas song - the problem is, I can't decide which one. I know I have this problem a lot but this week it's big and it's real. Decisions are just not happening.

So we're going to mix it up a little bit and do a Music Crush Playlist. Uh huh. I'm mixing it up good!

In no particular order...

1.

Last Christmas - Wham!

2.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) - Michael Buble

3.

Driving Home For Christmas - Chris Rea

4.

I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard

5.

All I Want for Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey

6.

Merry Christmas Everyone - Shakin' Stevens

7.

Underneath The Tree - Kelly Clarkson

8.

Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - Dean Martin

9.

Do They Know It's Christmas? (1984 Version) - Band Aid

10.

Merry Xmas Everybody - Slade

11.

Run Run Rudolph - Kelly Clarkson

12.

Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Michael Buble

13.

White Christmas - The Drifters

14.

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams

15.

Finally, and definitely the best of them all...

Fairytale of New York - The Pogues

There! That is my Christmassy playlist! I love Christmas music and especially all of the old ones, they get me feeling all festive!

Katie x

Cliftmas & Home Time!

I'm finally home!

I finished uni for Christmas last Thursday and it is definitely a welcome break. I still have work to do over the holidays but it feels good to have an official break and get home to my family. 

Friday was the official 'Last Day of Term', so there was a lot happening on campus, all known as Cliftmas! We got our picture taken with Santa, because who wouldn't? It's not like any of us are nearly twenty... It was an awesome night full of Christmas music and a hell of a lot of dancing and singing. It's safe to say, I had no voice the next morning.

I was living in an empty flat after that though and it felt really strange - I was the only one left at our uni flat out of a flat with eight people in it. It was weird not hearing other people in the flat and going into a completely empty and silent kitchen, I missed my friends too much over that weekend! Luckily one of my friends was still in the flat below me so we had a nice little dinner date and relaxed with Christmas movies for the night in our Christmassy-decorated flat.

I've eventually made it home though! I've seen all of my little ones and I've eaten lots of food, so Christmas can officially get started now!

Katie x

November Round-Up!

Heyyyy!

We're officially at the end of another month! Which, although might be a little sad, the end of this month means only one thing - tomorrow we can officially start the countdown to Christmas and no one can tell us off for it! Woop, woop!

It's been quite the busy month for me; I started blogging again (hurrah!), I've been to two bonfire shows/ firework displays, I met my new little nephew for the first time, we decorated our flat, I saw the lights switch on in Nottingham for the first time ever, I went to Lancaster, ate pancakes, and Starbucks finally brought back their red cups!

And that's just everything I can remember off the top of my head and isn't including the boring things like uni work that I've had to do tons of this month - it's been a bit hectic. 

It's been a month full of awesome sauce stuff but I cannot wait for next month and the arrival of Santa - Christmas is always a much bigger event and a lot more special when there are so many little ones in the family! I'm so excited!

Katie x

Nottingham Christmas Light Switch On 2014!

Hello!

It was the Christmas Light Switch On here in Nottingham last Friday (21st November) and, although we got well and truly soaked, it was awesome sauce!

They have a little Winter Wonderland spread throughout the streets of the city centre and it all looks so pretty! It was unbelievably busy on Friday night so I didn't get the best look around at it but I've been since then to have a little nosy and there is so much delicious-smelling food everywhere, my mouth was watering the whole time I was walking around the market stalls. They have some lovely little unique stalls too with quirky things that would make great gifts, in my opinion. 

They had a fireworks display when the lights got turned on, leaving the sky a sparkly (and smoky) scene; it was beautiful.

My friend and I even went as far as going on the carousel... Yes, we are nearly twenty and it's perfectly okay to still want to go on the carousel! I got hot mini doughnuts too because who doesn't want hot mini doughnuts? They remind me of being by the seaside with my brother in Blackpool - we love our hot mini doughnuts, hence why I took pictures to taunt him with via Snapchat.

The tree in the centre is massive - something like 60 feet I think they said! Whatever the case, it's huge. And it's in the middle of an outdoor ice rink, in case I didn't mention that, not that I'll be going on the ice considering I can barely walk without falling over every five seconds, god knows what I'd be like on ice!

We had a great time anyway, even if we did get soaked - a message from my friend (who was more soaked than me by the end of the night, definitely an achievement): don't go out on a rainy night in a dress and tights and boots with holes in; it's never going to end well.

Katie x

A Few Favourite Films!

Hello!

I am a complete movie-whore... That sounds weird. I mean in the sense that I have watched soooooo many movies and I watch them over and over and over again. And probably again.

Obviously, there are a lot of movies in the world but here are a few of my absolute favourites (at the moment - this list will have changed in a few weeks!)

1.

The Avengers

Marvel. Superheroes. Thor. That is literally everything I need to say about this movie. Seriously.

2.

Brave

It's set in Scotland and, with my Scottish heritage, there is nothing I don't love about this movie. Especially the triplets; they're so frickin' cute!

3.

21

There's something about this movie that completely boggles my brain but it intrigues me so much that I love it.

4.

John Tucker Must Die

Until I went back to university, I had never even heard of this movie, then some of my flatmates and I watched it and I was like "Oh. My. God. How have I never watched this before?!" It's so good!

5.

The Little Mermaid

Everyone needs Disney movies in their life and this is one of my all-time favourites (along with Brave)! Not going to lie though, Ursula used to terrify me when I was little... Not anymore though... Not a lot anyway.

6.

The Holiday

A lot of people will say that this is the first sign of me getting into the Christmas spirit but this is actually the one movie that is set at Christmas time and I don't class as a 'Christmas movie'. Although I do probably watch it more around this time of year - it's something about all the snow; trust me, England rarely looks like that in the winter!

So those are the movies I've wanted to watch a lot lately, like a lot a lot. I only put The Avengers down but it's actually anything Marvel that I'm obsessed with at the moment, or in general - there is never a bad time to watch a Marvel movie! It's the one thing my brother and I can watch together and not argue about!

Katie x

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up #6

Hello!

This post is going to start with an extra cute little birthday message, to an extra cute little nephew on his first birthday!

Aside from the fact that you're obviously the cutest Chief Little One there is, and you're obviously the secret prince because you were born in the same year and only a week apart  from the the royal baby, Prince George - they must have got you mixed up with him because there's no way you're not a prince, too - you're the giggliest (and grumpiest) little boy I know, and you're going to be such a lady-killer when you're older, I can see it already! Love you, little Dude.

Now for this week's Mid Week Pick-Me-Up!

To try and stick to the family theme that seems to have started this post... and yesterday's post was very familial as well, actually... This is the quote I have chosen for this week.

(Source)

"Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind, or forgotten." - Stitch (Lilo and Stitch)

I know I normally do my own little drawing of whatever the pick-me-up is each week but I really loved this one. 

I not only love the quote because it's from one of my favourite movies when I was younger, but I love the drawing of Stitch and it would take me a long time to draw anything that good. So, I thought why not just share the original with you rather than try and put my own twist on something that's already pretty amazing.

Family means a lot to me and it always will, because every little part of my family is important to me. I would do anything for them but I also know that they'd do anything for me.

My family don't all live near each other but we still all come together when we're needed or for big occasions like big birthdays or Christmas. We spend Christmas together every year, all of us, without fail, there are no excuses allowed but it's one of my favourite times of year just because we all get to be together on that one day. 

You should always love your family like there's no tomorrow because you never know when something horrible could happen and could snatch someone important away from you, when you think it could never happen to you.

Cherish every moment you get with your family, young or old, everybody needs love. And giraffes. Everybody needs giraffes too... Just saying.

Katie x

Have you read the previous Mid Week Pick-Me-Up's?

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up #2

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up #3

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up #4

A Mid Week Pick-Me-Up #5

Memory Lane

Hello!

I'm making a new scrapbook so I was sorting through some pictures today and I found some really cute, old pictures that I thought I'd share with you!

This is my niece and nephew who are now 11 and 13 years old, needless to say this was a hell of a long time ago! I really wish I could remember how long ago but I'm guessing maybe about five or so years.

This wee pup had an obsession with the bottom of this cupboard. She took all the books out, apart from the dictionary, and slept in there for as long as she could. The bigger she grew the more books she took out, until eventually she couldn't fit in there at all - if only she was still so little!

Christmas 2006 - I look soooo young in this photo... too young! But look at Kate! The same little girl from the first photo but even younger!

This was my grandma and grandpa's doggy, Heidi. She was the most gentle dog ever. She was scared of her own shadow most of the time and followed my grandpa everywhere he went (including the bathroom), she was super cute though.

Here are Megan and Sophie when we went camping three or four years ago. In other words these are Daisy's big sisters! As you can see, they were excited for our camping trip.

And, finally, this is Daisy only a few days after she was born. She was so tiny - if anybody tried to hold her like that now, she'd wriggle her way out of it!

I think that's enough of a trip down memory lane for today... It's even made me a little teary.

Katie x