DIY Polaroid Heart Collage

'Print your memories' - Cheerz (formerly known as Polabox)

I recently decided to get a whole load of my pictures printed, but I didn't want the boring normal 6x4 or 7x5 print - I wanted to get them printed like polaroid pictures. I didn't really want to invest in a polaroid camera or printer, simply because they cost so much in the long run.. Buying all the films etc and the camera/printer itself isn't exactly cheap! So I took a look online.

There are so many brands to choose from: some brands that print straight from your Instagram, others may cost quite a lot to print.. Then I came across Cheerz.

Cheerz allows you to upload pictures from: your computer, Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox and other social networking sites which is very useful when all your pictures can be across a few networking sites! Their site is also very user friendly and so easy to use.

(source - Cheerz)

(source - Cheerz)

Once I had selected the 30 pictures it recommends, it then came up with a further offer of adding another 15 pictures for an extra 20p per print so you could either get 30 for £13.95 or 40 for £16.20.

(source - Cheerz)

Once my pictures arrived, I was so excited to open the box. I was so impressed with the quality of the pictures, the fact that none came back distorted or ruined. Picture perfection. Now, what to do with these pictures...

My friend recently told me she was ordering herself some polaroid pictures from a different website (see her blog post here) and she was going to put hers in a frame. Personally, I have no room in my bedroom for anymore frames. So I went in search of inspiration on Pinterest, as per usual! I came across so many different ways people had displayed their pictures, from hanging them on string to framing them and simply sticking them on their walls. Then I came across the heart collages, and they looked amazing. So many people had recreated this idea and I just had to try it.

Unfortunately, I'm no good as judging pictures in terms of how to organise and work out the layout. Luckily for me, I came across this template which helped me a lot:

source - Pinterest

This template helped me so much and the end result looks, if I'm completely honest, fantastic. I am so pleased with how the collage has turned out, and I would definitely encourage anyone who is looking for something to do with their old photos or polaroids to definitely recreate something like this - or maybe try out your own collage idea!

Back To School Haul Post

Hello there! Been a very long time since I've updated the good ol' blog thanks to lovely college deadlines and whatnot. Had lots going on in the time I've been away, including getting a new job (woo!) which is the main inspiration for this post, as well as a whole range of days out and about and holidays too. Life is good right now if I'm completely honest. So, let us begin..

 

As I have recently been offered a job within a primary school, I figured this was the perfect time for a spending spree. Seeing as I was in desperate need for some 'smart casual' clothing and some bits and bobs to use in the classroom, this was the perfect excuse.

1. The Elmer Tote Bag - Amazon £6.16

As I'll be in a primary school, I figured I needed one hell of a bag. Let's be honest, nothing beats a classic like Elmer the colourful elephant. I was drawn to this bag by the whole range of colours and the strength of the bag. Undecided what to use this for, whether it be a storage bag for my books or just a general bag, but I'm sure the children will love it!

2. Denim Shirt and Caitlyn Big Cat Cami - Fat Face £36 and £28

Now, I never really buy anything from Fat Face if I'm completely honest.. Being a student, I have a very limited budget and can't afford some of their clothes. However, whenever the bank of mum opens its doors for business, I instantly take advantage to have some of these amazing clothes.

3. Black Slim Leg Double Zip Ribbed Trousers - New Look £14.99

I am forever in need of black trousers. I have recently trashed yet another pair with holes and countless amounts of paint/glue stains, so I needed yet another pair of trouser. Me being me, I'm more of a skinny jeans kind of person so I tried to find a pair which were a similar shape to my skinny jeans. Thank you, New Look, for providing such a good alternative!

4. GLIS box with lids - IKEA £1.50

I won't lie, I love IKEA with a burning passion. You can't go wrong with cheap flatpack furniture, let's be honest. I picked up these storage boxes on my visit the other day as they are ideal to go on a child's desk to store things, such as pencils or a visual timetable. These will be perfect and so useful in the classroom!

Well that's all for now. Hopefully won't leave it too long for another post. Have a lovely day, guys!

 

Movie Wishlist | March Edition

Movie Wishlist | March Edition with Amazon

1. Catching Fire - After seeing the midnight showing of this film in the cinema, I am so excited to own this film. So epic, gripping and truly inspirational (well, in my opinion anyway..). 

2. Thor: The Dark World - Yet another film I saw on the midnight release. Mindblowingly awesome! Thor on the tube, need I say more.. 

 3. Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2 - Sadly, I was unable to watch this release in the cinema, but I am dying to watch it on DVD. Everyone needs a Barry the strawberry in their lives! 

4. Disney's Frozen -Possibly the one of the best things to come out of Disney this year. I literally fell in love with this film. Well, Olaf in particular. BEST SNOWMAN EVER!

Lostprophets | Gone without a trace?

Hey guys! So, been a while since I've posted due to coursework and such, but one is back to posting again - aren't you a lucky bunch?! I figured the more I'm on my laptop posting and doing coursework, the better I feel about myself and the less time I waste on other social networking sites - damn you, Facebook and Twitter!

Anyway, I thought I'd kickstart my writing again with another music-related post. As we all, or anyone who hasn't been hiding under a rock, will know, the band formerly known as Lostprophets were recently torn apart by the news of Ian Watkins having 'relations' with underage fans and other young individual linking to his drug taking and some insane and sick fans - you can read the court case here for full details.

 

(source)

Obviously this news completely destroyed the band, their reputation and the spirit of their fans, knowing that someone who was supposedly a role model could be such a monster on the quiet. Personally, with all the accusations recently on other celebrities, I thought this was just another selection of fans wanting their 5 minutes in the spotlight for a bit of attention etc. Alas, I was wrong and it is devastating knowing that a band I have loved for years now has the reputation it has gained from him. Absolute madness.

I noticed how there was such an uproar about how much money he was still earning while he is behind bars - with music sales still going and publicity for him at its highest. However, I recently went into a few larger HMV stores and seeing a lack of their CD's on their shelves. This led me to venture online to see what their fanbase was looking like. Turns out everything even remotely relating to Lostprophets, in terms of their fans and music, has been removed from Facebook following a farewell message from the remaining members of the band. It's like they've simply disappeared without a trace of even existing in some places. However, sites such as Amazon still sell their music - but is it right?

Admittedly, it is right that sales of their music should stop as Ian Watkins shouldn't be earning money while doing time for what he did.. But should the other members really pay the price for his actions? I mean, their music was amazing and the other members but will forever have the Lostprophets reputation hanging over their shoulders while trying to move on with their lives.

Does it seem right that their success has been removed without a trace? 

2014 | What's the plan, Batman?

So, here's that time of year where everyone is making resolutions which, undoubtedly, they won't stick to and planning this year ahead of themselves. Instead of resolutions (except my 2014 bucket list, which I will complete), I figured it would be more beneficial for me to make a plan for this year. Seeing as this year is pretty big, I want to make the most of it and make the best decisions for me to benefit my future and help in the many years to come.

  (source)

As I finish college this year, I want to make the most of it. Where I let Sixth Form and my school years simply pass me by without even taking into consideration the memories that could've been. Admittedly, I do have memories and good ones too, but I could've done so much more. So, this year, I am making the most of it and so far so good! I want to leave this year not regretting the past two years because, after May/June, that is it. No more education, time to start finding my feet in the real world - scary stuff! This made me realise I need to think about what I want this year when I finish college and to plan out what I'm going to do with myself.

First, I need to look for a new job. Shockingly, I don't think my childcare qualification will get me very far in Sainsburys. Sigh. So, from February onwards, I need to look and see what is available on the job market that suits me for what I am capable of in terms of careers and my ideal future.

Second, I want to show my full potential and show everyone what I am capable of. I want to prove those who think I am a failure at life wrong - putting it bluntly. Truth is, I'm not a failure. I'm actually kind of bright and I do have the potential to do well and succeed in life. By the end of this year, I will be able to look back and feel proud of what I've achieved.

Third, I need to declutter my life. Has to be said, this may take a little more effort and a lot more time. So much I need to clear and get rid of in my life - you wouldn't believe how much I need to sort! Clothes, old school/sixth form/college work and supplies, music, films.. Turns out my boxes from IKEA will come into a lot of use, and my younger sister will love the amount of clothes coming her way!

Next, I want to be more organised. As the people who know me personally will know, I have my moments where I actually can be organised but, sadly, these are very rare occasions. This year, I want to up my game and be more on the ball than ever to keep on top of everything. Like my blogging, for example. My blogging is so scattered because of work and college etc. Priority takes over and the little things are forgotten about which really sucks. This year, I want to make time in my schedule for the little things. So my blogging will become a bit more consistent and regular compared to normal, keep your eyes peeled!

Finally, I want to be healthier. This year, I noticed I had lost weight and that was such a proud moment for me. Admittedly, a mixture of stress and trying to lose weight wasn't the best combination, but it made a difference. I notice in myself that I'm a lot thinner than I was and people have commented on the changes which is always good! Hopefully, fingers crossed oh so much, there won't be as many little stressors this year to impact on me so I can spend less time worrying and more time being more productive and concentrating on making myself the best I can be. This time last year, I was a 12/14 in clothes. By the end of this year, I aim to be a size 10/12 - already there depending on which brand I purchase from! Hopefully, this time next year, I can look back and see how much I've changed.

So there we have it, this years plan! Bring on 2014, I guess..  

Bucket list | 2014

 

(source)

Hey guys! So, with it being a new year, I figured now would be a good chance to update and write down this years bucket list. I am so determined this year, it's unreal. This year will be an amazing year, and I will get everything crossed off!

• Get an A for my childcare course
• Get a car
• Go to Disneyland Florida
• Meet a minion
• Take part in a 5K/10K race
• Earn over £1000 in a month
• Save £1000
• Lose a stone in weight
• Get a new job
• Go to Paris
• Travel for New Years
• Go to a festival
• Get off my backside and make something of my life
• Give up chocolate for 3 months
• Give up fizzy drinks for 3 months
• Give up crisps for 3 months
• See 3 films a month
• Read 1 book a month
• Be a happier person and gain more confidence
• Do something beyond your comfort zone
• Camp under the stars
• Finalise a life plan 

Bands list | 2013

Hey guys! So, with the end of 2013 quickly approaching, I thought it would be a good opportunity to reflect back on this year. My last post, which you can read here, looks back on this year as a whole. However, for this post, I'm going to look back at the music I've seen and discovered this year, through gigs, recommendations etc..

Me being me, I absolutely love music. To be honest, it's what gets me through most days. I would listen to it all day given the chance. Music keeps you sane and can easily help your mood. Well, that's how I see it..Music has really helped me this year and being able to see certain bands live has made it just that little bit extra special. Admittedly, I didn't see many bands this year, but I saw the ones that mattered to me.

To begin with, I went to Slamdunk Festival in Wolverhampton. Big step for me, never thought I'd be able to survive a festival, not ever! However, with a group of friends, turns out I can surprise myself. My main aim for Slamdunk was to go and see All Time Low as they were headlining the main stage, but this festival was a great opportunity to listen to new bands and, over time, I have grown a great interest in these bands. 

To start, we saw The Summer Set. For those who have never listened to these guys, I would definitely recommend you give them a listen. Their music is just so upbeat and you can't help but just smile to their music, or that might just be me.. Probably something to do with the very attractive lead singer - sounds about right! Other bands we saw included: Sleeping With Sirens, We Are The Ocean and Kids In Glass Houses. Now, I had never heard KIGH's music before Slamdunk but, after seeing them live, I am in love with their music. I find myself getting so lost in their music. Definitely another one to listen to!

So that was Slamdunk.. My first festival, but not my last..

Next, I went to the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff to go and see You Me At Six and  30 Seconds To Mars. Two incredible bands which were insane live. Even though I'd already seen You Me At Six a couple of years ago (my first ever gig - scary!), it was amazing to see them live again. So full of energy and their music was simply perfect. Then we had 30 Seconds To Mars. Oh my god, these guys completely threw me with how amazing they are live. This was my first time seeing these guys and it definitely won't be my last! I just fell in love with their performance the moment they came on the stage, such energy and it shows they truly love their fans when they engage with them so much. Perfection. To see my review of the gig, you can read that here.  

Finally, I recently went to a gig in Bristol with a friend from college as she wanted someone to go with her and, apart from the lack of hearing the next day, I do not regret it one bit! We went to The Fleece to go and see Mindless Self Indulgence, a band I had only ever heard of before seeing them. Never listened to their music, so this was a new experience for me. They were supported by a couple of bands, including one called The Red Paintings which, if you like strange music, you should really consider checking out. Let's just say this gig completely shocked me in many ways. I've never been to such a crazy gig would I could never in any world imagine. Such an amazing atmosphere and such insane music - not one for delicate ears! We decided to hang around after and managed to meet 3/4 of the band which was awesome - only managed to miss the drummer, but the other three were so great to talk to. It only came to my attention after the gig that the bassist, Lynz, is married or whatever to Gerard Way.. THE GERARD WAY, I HUGGED SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN NEAR GERARD WAY!! *fangirl moment*

So yeah, that was it really for 2013. Not much, but I saw the bands which matter to me. Next year has even more instore for me which should be incredible..

2014 consists of: 

 Fall Out Boy, The Pretty Reckless and Reading Festival so far, with hopefully many more to add!

Happy new year, guys! ♥