Crazy at the dinner Table

MERRY CHRISTMAS, I hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday!

Christmas is full of happiness, family, food and presents. What more can a girl wish for? It's a time where everyone's happy for a few hours excluding small strops and stressful adults (did you know stressed adults and hyper over excited kids don't mix?). Everyone's extremely grateful and maybe it's just me but I love being with my family on Christmas day it just makes me really happy.

I didn't even wake up till eight but I was still super excited, I didn't expect much this year because my mom was in hospital till Christmas eve and is still really fragile but I was shocked to find quite a few presents for me to open, thanks Santa. After that I rushed to get ready and my Dad picked me up to take me to his house, then my Nan's where my aunt, uncle and cousin were. We also facetimed my other aunt and uncle who live in Australia, they were in the jacuzzi lucky things.

After that I went to dinner with my mom's family which was at my nans, I was seated in between my two cousins and I don't know what was in the food but we literally did not stop laughing, then it was time for more presents! When all the presents were opened my mom and aunts fell asleep while my cousins played with their presents and I played with my phone for a few hours (this happens every year)  until we all headed over to my aunts who lives just across the road. There we had a sandwiches even though we were stuffed after Christmas and played board games until we departed in the early hours of the next morning. Pictures below.

My Christmas was great, how was yours?

christmas jumpers!

my cousin got tattoo pens for christmas oh no

insert selfie here

teenagers can never keep off their phones tut

i need this camera

cracker jokes

6 kids on a sofa 

literally squished together

we played card games as well like cheat which I was shamelessly very good at

Braving The Sales

Ahh, boxing day has arrived (actually it's been and gone but you get my drift); Christmas money at the ready.

Christmas is full of happiness, family, food and presents; what more can a girl wish for? Then the next day you wake up early for an entirely different reason, shopping. Boxing day is so different to Christmas day how they are so close together I do not know.

You can't blame people for wanting to get to the good stuff first (Hollister 40% off anyone, uh yes please!) but people are so rude sometimes and when I've had very little sleep I'm really irritable. It literally took us an hour and a half to park because we waited till eleven to go into town but we did get there and even though I only went into superdrug and Hollister it was totally worth it and I wanted to share with you what I bought.

I ordered some clothes online as well so look out for for that post coming soon after this one but keep reading to see the make-up I picked up.

 I've wanted to try bioderma for awhile and I never see it anywhere but I read about a similar item that I found when I was in superdrug; Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water. It only cost £5 which is pretty good and I've used it twice now and it's lovely. I bought some oval cotton pads to use with it and it's so much easier than washing my face and it has a deeper cleanse than baby wipes.

I also picked up the Rimmel stay matte powder in transparent to replace the one i'm using now, I've been using it since July so I'm pretty happy with how long it lasts and the powder itself is great too. As well as getting the Maybelline dream fresh bb cream in light, I've already tried the dream matte bb cream by Maybelline so I thought I'd buy the other one this time. I haven't used it much yet but I'm hopeful as it has sp3 30 and is oil free!

I knew I wanted a felt tip eyeliner that would be easy to use because i'm new to winging out my eyeliner and with the one I have it takes me a long while to do. I found the Rimmel scandal eyes precision micro eyeliner, it's tiny (duh, micro??) and it's so easy to control it's great.

I was so excited when the babylips came over to the uk but I very rarely go make-up shopping these days since I have too much but since it's Christmas I let myself and I picked up this one. It's In cherry me and smells so nice, like artificial cherries. It also leaves a pink colour on your lips, perfect for school.

Spots are lovely aren't they? No. That's why I got this, I'm hoping that it clears up my chin and forehead quickly curse my teenage skin. It's very watery not much like a gel would be but it's still pretty nice, it says to apply it 1-3 times a day so when you wake up and before you go to bed should be good enough. I've only used it a few times so I haven't seen a big difference in my skin yet.

Spot gel, babylips and eyeliner.

Yay for shopping ay?

10 little piggies went to Jimmy Spices.

What a guilty little blogger I am, about a month ago we went out to eat for my cousins 18th. It was so nice and I couldn't wait to share it with you but the month of December has not been kind and I've been extremely busy! Mock exams left me with no time after revision and then just over a week ago my mom was rushed to hospital so after school I've been visiting her, but school's out now and fingers crossed so will my mom be tomorrow; just in time for Christmas! So I've got some spare time and lot's to share!

If you've never been to Jimmy Spices then you should stop what your doing and go now! Just kidding, but honestly it's so good there. It's a little expensive compared to a pub meal or your average buffet but it's definitely worth it. Because of how many of us there were we had to find somewhere everyone would eat, at Jimmy's there's so much variety no one's left hungry! 

I mainly just ate pizza and chips (healthy, I know) but my mom and aunt all tried different curries and exotic foods the best part being if you didn't like it you don't have to eat it. 

They have a mixture of oriental , Indian, European, middle east and American style foods. 

You go pick your food, eat and then pick more food if you'd like! 

The drinks there are just as great, you can order from a nice selection of cocktails.

I think my favourite part was the pudding, while the ice cream wasn't as great as other places they made up for it with their other deserts. There was different flavours of jelly, a lovely chocolate mousse, brownie and various cheesecakes. There all mini deserts as well so you can try them all without overeating or just grab more of what you like. 

It's even open on Christmas day if you don't feel like cooking! 

And in true Christmas spirit, mini mince pies! 

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

It's beginning to look like Christmas, everywhere we go! Haha, yesterday I went to watch Catching Fire (which was amazing btw) and because we were in town we took a walk through the German markets which was a bad idea. It was cold, extremely busy and way too dark for a young girl like me. I tell you what, after eight the city centre is full of weirdos. Anyway, we're (well I am) drifting off subject here. While I was in town it certainly felt like Christmas, I picked up a few presents, there was Christmas songs playing in shops and the decorations were beautiful!

Bonus: There's an outdoor ice skating rink this year, exciting!

This isn't my pictures but these were some of the decorations in the centre.

So once I was in the Christmas mood, I decided I wanted to do some Christmas themed posts! This one is going to be (eventually when the waffle is over) about picking the perfect presents!

Gift giving tips!

1: List all the people you have to buy for, if your badly organised like me you could download an app, I use 'No More Socks' it's good for all year round and while it's a little long to set up it's so good when you get into it. Plus it's free! However, you could just find a little notebook and keep your list written down.

2. If you're a buying a present for someone you most likely know them quite well, if your buying for your Mum you could try stuff you know she likes. I'm getting my Mum Robbie Williams new swing album because she loves his swing music. I'm buying my Dad a Family Guy shirt because I know my Dad likes and know he where's them. For my sister a new Hollister body spray because she can never get enough! Then for your friends you can think of all the little things you have in common! One of my friends is very girly and likes all things girl so I brought her some cute earrings from new look. My other friend and myself are obsessed with penguins so I brought her a penguin travel mug, it's easier than you think it'll be! 

3. If you don't know them that well (or they're just hard to buy for) try these websites!
one//two//three

Or just ask them! If they say 'I don't know' hit them around the head for being so awkward.
(Just kidding, don't do that one, or don't say I told you to do it at least)

The most important thing is not to over think it, they will love it for sure, and remember that it's not about quantity. I used to buy so much because I thought of quantity but one or two quality gifts that you know they'll love is way better. For you and them!

My favourite clothes shop(s).

Welcome to my third post as part of the #BritishBloggerSelection! I'm really enjoying it and you should go ahead and check it out!

I didn't really know what to write for this post (or at all right now, but that's a different story). I don't have a favourite shop to be honest, if I go shopping I like to go everywhere even if I know exactly what I'm looking for I never know exactly where to look for it. This left me wondering how I would exactly go about this post. So, eventually I decided on this...

My favourite clothes shops have fun pieces, I own a million black tank tops and blue jeans, so I tend to go into a shop depending on the patterns or the amount of graphic tees.

My favourite clothes shops are ones I've never heard of. I love seeing a new shop that's kind of small and not really popular because I find that they have so much personality. Don't get me wrong. I love big shops like Topshop or Primark but sometimes I might stumble across this little unknown gem and it's great!

My favourite clothes shops will open up on December 26th because jeeze louise do I love a good spend even if it's a day after I'm spoilt rotten, sue me.

My favourite clothes shops don't sell make-up, I hate it. It's (usually) not very good and I get sucked into buying nail polishes and lipsticks that I don't even like when all I needed wanted was a new pair of jeans. Saying this, I do love Topshop's very own line but some shops just shouldn't go there.

My favourite clothes shops play music. There's nothing more satisfying than singing to yourself while you look at shirt after shirt after jumper. I love shopping, but I love shopping to music more. I never put my earphones in either because even if I don't know/like the song it adds to the atmosphere. I'm all about atmosphere.

I hope you enjoyed my take on this weeks theme!

For more read last weeks post or my very first post!



I'd love to hear about your favourite shops! Any excuse for a good old shop.

For the nosey.

This is my second post as part of the #BritishBloggerSelection and it may be an interesting one for those of you who (like me) love to ask questions! 

A (sooo not posed (or recycled)) picture of blogging in action.

Question One: Why Do You Like blogging?
I love talking! Sometimes not everybody wants to hear one of my rambles so I get to write it down and if people want to read they can! 
Question Two: How Did You Come Up With Your Blog Name? 
I have no idea! I recently changed it again before that! I haven't been blogging for very long so I haven't really found my blog 'identity' yet, I think this one's a keeper though. 
Question Three: Where From The UK Do You Come From? Birmingham! Brummy accent included lol.
Question Four: Favourite Colour? Pink (does the image give it away?)! Always has been. Recently though I've been loving a nice minty blue or turquoise. 
Question Five: Do You Like Lana Del Ray? Yes! I love this is what makes us girls, diet mountain dew and of course Summertime Sadness. Nothing makes a bus ride more enjoyable.
Question Six: Hidden Talents That You Have? It's not really hidden, but I can dance pretty well! At least I hpe so since I've been having lessons and doing exams for quite a while now! Haha. 
Question Seven: Celebrity Crush? Yes, how to choose one though? I'm a big television and film nerd so I have many... I think my biggest would be Misha Collins from supernatural. He's so funny and brilliant and his videos on YouTube with his son are by far the greatest! I watched a whole season of 24 and a film over half term just to watch him oops! (Tom Hiddleston is a close second) 

Misha playing Castiel in the CW show Supernatural.

Question Eight: Favourite Blog Of All Time? Bonnie! I love her blog. I could think of so many more but she just has me coming back every day and searching her archives! I'm addicted to say the least.

Question Nine: What Made You Want To Join #BritishBloggerSelection? I just love finding new blogs to read! Link ups and little communities like this one excite me so much! 

If you would like to join the #BritishBloggerSelection head over here to read about it. 

If you enjoyed reading this then you may also want to read last week's post.

Manners- they really do cost nothing.

I’m sat in bed in my big knitted cardigan (It’s my warmest), with a little dish of raisins and a cup of tea.

I’m enjoying being snuggled up in my big warm bed with the Arctic monkeys on in the background while a ‘storm’ rages outside. It's really cozy, where I am were not affected much by it.

Well, who cares? I can’t find my phone and I think I'm sat on it but I'm too lazy to look so with distractions out the way I thought I could write this post, I need to concentrate because it’s pretty deep. Consider this your warning. (It’s not that deep to be honest but it’s as deep as I get.)

When I went shopping today it occurred to me to me that manners -and smiles- really do cost nothing. (I warned you.)

I’m a really moody person by default so while I love shopping, I hate it at the same time. People are just way to rude these days. Maybe it’s the amount of rude I have been accustomed to means that if anyone is polite I get all giddy.

Wow. They just said excuse me, I think to myself.

Why are you saying sorry? I bumped into you! I am sorry, you are amazing! I feel like shouting.

It just makes me happy when people are polite.

Like today someone pushed past me and I apologise because –let’s be real-  you never really know whose fault it is and this lady shoots me a dirty look and carries on snootily.

Who are you to give me a dirty look? I just wanted some pyjamas; you could've walked round... The rant in my head began.

The next time it happens I just expect them to be rude and the rant continues worse than before but this time the person stops and apologises and all of a sudden the world is right again.

How could one person’s manners put everything right? I don’t know but it does. I want to grab this persons arm and never let go, my faith is restored.

I say sorry and move out of the way (see what manners get people, results!) they pass and I go back to shopping without my mood on.

It’s pretty damn awesome.

It’s not just manners either. The other day I was walking up the stairs at school and when I turned the corner I spotted a girl who I didn't know?

 I’d noticed her, she had noticed me. No dropping my head pretending not to notice now, we caught eye contact and she smiled at me. This is my favourite thing ever, no joke.

When you walk past a stranger and they give you a smile and you return it and everyone’s giddy, well at least I bloody am.

It’s not even a proper smile though. It’s kind of a grimace. It doesn't reach the eyes and usually just involves a little lip movement. But it’s enough.

That smile means, hey, I am a stranger acknowledging your existence. I am happy I crossed paths with you today and am not judging your (very) messy hair.

Or you know what else when a bus driver says thank you to you! It's like saying thanks for letting me drive you around, I wish my mom thought the same haha!

It’s what you need sometimes.

All good months must come to an end.

But not without a monthly favourites!

Hot showers: 

It's getting colder, that's for sure. I got out the other day and the back half of my leg was white and the front half red.

AM: 

I don't mean the time of day either...

I never really listened to anything from the Arctic Monkeys before but after my new twitter addiction means that one of the girls I follow never stops talking about them. So, obviously I had too check them out and I'm so glad I did! 

Twitter:
I'm obsessed with twitter! I've had my account for two months and I have already tweeted over fifteen hundred tweets. Wow. Haha, it's so great for meeting new friends and live tweeting supernatural episodes! Feel free to follow me here ! My account is definitely very supernatural based so be warned, even my icon is supernatural and my bio. Oh yes, just in case you do decide to follow me I do not run over dogs my bio is a quote. I REPEAT I DO NOT RUN OVER DOGS IT'S A QUOTE. Glad that's covered.

Supernatural, 24, freshers:

Television, something I am way too invested in. There was a big twist in 24(season1) and I literally spent five minutes running around my room like a headless chicken sounding like a dying duck. It's bad. 24 is about an agent called Jack Bower who's trying to save the president but his daughter gets kidnapped followed by a load of other hurdles. That's really good, you should watch it. You should also check out Supernatural because it's beyond amazing, I am literally, obsessed. It's basically about two brothers who fight off supernatural creatures. Down the line angels and demons are brought in and it just gets crazy, I love it. The writers also throw in little funny episodes now and then. It's great. On supernatural anything is possible. Also, freshers. It's been on for a few weeks and it follows a few different students as they experience freshers week. New friends, lot's of drinking and there's an episode based on the orienteering and signing up for classes. It's funny and an insight into the lives of university students. I especially love Forrest and I think you would too! 

Leather jacket:

Everything about them. I'm obsessed with them, boys wearing them, different styles. A leather jacket and a cute scarf is key to not looking dull in your uniform, true story. Oh and boys wearing them, wow. With some dark hair and converse and hipster glasses and I'm getting sidetracked.

It's already November 4th and I can tell (apart from my exam tomorrow morning) it's gonna be a good one. I hope yours is too! 

October 31st

Before we get started! I've just joined the #BritishBloggerSelection and you can too! Head on over here and leave your blog URL, blog name and first and last name! This weeks theme is Halloween so I guess I'll tell you all about mine! 

Thursday was a busy one, that's for sure. I was woken up (at 12 in the afternoon so I can't really complain) to go out for lunch with my sister and her boyfriend at the pub (he paid so he's a keeper), then we walked up the road to the high-street to get last minute party things. Which means a load of chocolate, sweets and drink, let's be honest. Then instead of going home, I met up with one of my friends and basically a load of walking occurred. I didn't get back until five but I jumped in the shower, put my slap on and set up decorations. We tried apple bobbing and one of my friends pushed someone's head further under, they grabbed hold of the bowl and ended up knocking it and the chair it was on over- water went every where! The party had emptied pretty much by midnight but Abbie stopped at mine that night and we were way too hyped to sleep, so we played just dance for a while and I nearly knocked her out about ten times-woops. We didn't get that many trick or treaters so the left over chocolate from that and the party we took upstairs to eat watching white chicks because believe it or not Abbie's never watched it and the first time because we both have Dylan O'Brien obsessions. (If you haven't you watched white chicks you really should it's so funny.) It wasn't wise to get so hyped up because we didn't fall asleep till six in the morning and we had to be up at eight . I had fun though so it was worth it! 

Did anyone else have any halloween stories to share? I'd love to hear! It's bonfire night in a few days so that post will be coming up too!

We carved pumpkins the day before.

The fake spiders web made it look like it had a wig LOL.

Some of the sweets we had laid out.

We needed a bigger window to be honest.

A daily Tay link up!

Someday I will...

Someday I will go to bed at an acceptable time consecutively for a week.

Someday I will accept that some coats are just not warm enough no matter how pretty they are.

Someday I will realise that my mom is always right, today is not that day.

Someday I will own a cat, just one.

Someday I will conquer my fear of heights.

Someday I will join in a discussion about politics and know what I'm talking about.

Someday I will enjoy work.

Someday I will figure out what I want out of life.

Someday (far far away) I will get married and start a family.

Someday I will travel outside of the UK.

Someday I will read wuthering heights.

Someday I will stop hoarding.

The only place better than the internet.

I would just like to clarify the only place better than the internet is a place that has internet, whoops.

Curled up in my duvet is where I belong. You can’t deny it we all feel that way sometimes. There’s something about my home that’s very appealing. It could be my family (when they wanna be nice), my mom who provides me with comfort and security. Or my sister who (unknowingly) hives me unlimited outfit choices and gives me someone to moan at when I’m moody. (I apologise.) Either way it wouldn’t be the same without them.

It also wouldn't be the same if it wasn't warm. I know, I know. It sounds weird, but you don’t really want to be distracted from the latest episode of 90210 because of chattering teeth. Do ya now? This isn't always understood by my mom because of heating bills-whoops!

Then if that isn't enough take a few (exhausting but) short steps upstairs and you’ll find my bed, where the magic happens. By magic I mean blogging, instagram stalking and excessive supernatural watching. Duh.

If I'm being completely honest though the most exciting thing about it is the food, haha. The smell of spaghetti bolognese or roast dinners that wafts from room to room is sensational, but actually eating the food... That’s even better. My house is the best umbrella, if it stars to rain we can all head to mine and play just dance.Most of all though you shouldn't forget, home is where the wi-fi is.

The below photo is so not staged.

Life's biggest hurdles.

Optimism is one of my best qualities and pessimism is my worst. Is it possible to be both optimistic and pessimistic? Yes, I certainly am. Depending on the day of course. Usually if the day/week isn't going well my thoughts follow suit, this is the same for a good week. Sometimes I just need to see the worst and let it out of my system with a moan or a cry because I'm a girl.Then I can be like 'oh yeah, that's actually not bad at all' and feel really stupid about the whole thing. Yup. This happened a few times this week so I thought I'd share them and

For example. 

Situation: School says I cannot retake Maths in November.

The pessimist in me: Is a)extremely annoyed that I was one of only two that aren't aloud b)deciding that I'm not going to revise any more because what is the point and among other things like kicking myself for not getting an A in the mock and wanting to strangle anyone that told me 'exams aren't fun' or 'it's a good thing' Of course exams aren't fun but I still have to take it c)panicking because when I am aloud to retake in June I have about nine other exams already. (I only have one other in November so it makes sense to take it then, no? No.) 

The Optimist in me: Is a) thinking of how much extra time I have to revise maths to better my grade and hoping I reach an A soon so I don't have to stress it in June b) realising I only have one exam to revise for, for November and that I know I can ace it and c) two less exams to worry about having coughing or sniffling in (flu seasons rough). 

Or some much simpler moments

Situation: English stop day. 

Opt: Lot's of revision, I'm going to ace this exam. This means listening and concentrating.

Pess: This is so boring, I'm going to fall asleep and learn nothing. What's the point. 

Situation: My hair straighteners broke. 

Opt: I won't be burning my hair today and have an excuse other than 'I'm lazy' for not doing my hair. 

Pess: My hair straighteners broke, I'm broke. 

Situation: I have to walk home because I spent my bus fair on Dr Pepper. (Don't tell me you've never done this)

Opt: Good exercise, lot's of fresh air. Dr Pepper. 

Pess: It's raining, it takes me an hour to walk and I can't drink fizzy drinks until after school anyway so I should have waited until I got home.

Lastly, a much much simpler one. (We all know I stayed up to watch it.) 

Situation: Supernatural is on, it's an American show I can't watch it until two am. 

Opt: It's supernatural, duh? 

Pess: Four hours sleep. 

I have to say that I usually jump straight to a bad conclusion and then realise ten minutes later it isn't the end of the world and cringe at how stupid I was. Whoops. Feel free to leave times when you've done this so I don't feel so stupid, haha. Much Appreciated. I also feel like the purpose of this post changed even more as it progressed but (my friends hate it when I say this) yolo.

I wanted to include a picture and since it's Autumn guys... This is outside my house, so cute!

DIY Lanterns For The Autumn Evenings

•  Tin can
• Hammer and nail
• tea lights (or any small candle)
• Matte black paint and roller (optional)

Step 1: Begin by taking a tin, it can be any old food tin. Open it and either eat the food or pop it in a container and into the fridge for another night.

Step 2: Take the lid completely off and wash the tin out, then refill it with water and pop in the freezer over night or till frozen. Freezing it stops the can from bending or losing it's shape when your hammering the nail in.

Step 3: When frozen, take the tin out. I used the edge of the nail to draw out a shape first in the frost. Better safe than sorry haha! Then I just placed the nail on the can and and tap it into it with a hammer, I thought I'd have to use a lot of force because it was frozen but it was really easy and simple! 

The end! It's literally that simple, do a few more hearts (or whatever you would like to put on it) to finish it. Pop in a candle when it's dark and there you go! With Halloween coming up though I decided to make a themed one as well! You could hang it in the porch lit up and ready for the trick or treaters!

 Attempting to spell out boo. I would suggest using smaller letters or a can that's wider, maybe an empty paint tin? 

If you wanted to add more spook to your lantern paint it using a matte black paint I just bought a small tin from Wilkinsons. Be sure to lay out some newspaper beforehand!

Getting messy!

Finished product!

Stay tuned for more diys! They're so fun to do. 

Another tip, if your looking for a cute diy gift, you could personalise these with names etc or add some wire/ribbon to it and hang it from tree branches at partys? Don't forget when you light it though that metals conduct heat so don't touch it! Ouch.

If you try this out I wanna see pictures! You can tweet me or tag me on instagram, @hollieapples or leave a link to a blog post in the comments!