10 Things I'd do if i won the lottery

I'm pretty sure that this is an idea everyone has dreamed about at some point in their lie, myself included. Now I'm 100% certain that for myself, it will never happen it will only ever be a dream, mainly because I have literally never played the lottery in my life. 

Let's just go to an amazing dream world for a moment, let's just pretend that in some beautifully, magical, parallel universe that I do play the lottery, and let's go ahead nd pretend that I happened to win a few million. What would I do with the money you might ask, well continue reading and you'll soon see!

I won the lottery, what do I do?

1. Drop EVERYTHING and elope to Iceland to marry my fiance ASAP.

How could this not be the first thing that I do? It's not even that I want some expensive, over the top wedding, I mean I literally just want it to be him and I. It wouldn't be about all that, it would be about having the money straight away to do what we've already planned a whole lot faster.

2. Filter money into both animal and mental health charities. 

Animals are my entire world, I want to protect them, I wish that I could give them all the love that they deserve, but I can't. I'd filter money to charities and wildlife sanctuaries, maybe I'll buy out companies like Sea World so their animals can be free. As for Mental Health charities, I'd donate to charities such as Mind and be sure to help as much as I could to get word out about mental health.

3. Pay off our mortgage and either do all awaiting renovations, or buy a new property.

I'm not 100% sure on which of the above two I'd want to do, mainly because I love our home, and that's what it is, our home. If we stayed where we are, I'd want extensions on both floors at the back of the house, planning permission dependent. I'd renovate the entire house really, but mainly the upstairs bathroom, and downstairs kitchen, but also change the stairs and floorboards. I'd want a walk in wardrobe, en suite bathroom, my fiance would want a dedicated room to his gaming, and I for my photography, make up and blogging. If we bought our own place? Which I think we would, then I'd want a nice, but rather large, cottage house.

4. 100% quit my job.

I strongly dislike my job, and fail to understand how anyone who works with me feels motivated to work there, it's just not the place for me. I'm not saying I wouldn't want to work, just that I wouldn't work here, more on this further down the post.

5. Get my cat, Steve, a buddy.

I know, cats aren't all that expensive, but if I had this dream house and all this money it would be a whole lot easier for me to get him a friend. I think he'd enjoy having a little friend because life can be lonely, and I never want him to feel lonely. 

6. Start my own marine charity.

I find that a lot of people really do care about animals, and that's lovely, but not as many care about our marine animals, and they are my favourite. I'd firstly want to explore our worlds seas to find out what magnificent creatures we are yet to discover, and secondly protect the beautiful creatures we know of. I'd want to shut companies like sea world down and move all marine animals to transitional and coastal wildlife sanctuaries. 

7. Do Japan.

I LOVE Japan, and so does my fiance, maybe this would be our honeymoon? We'd got for at least a month, tour the entire country and do everything that there is to do. 

8. Start my family.

If money was no object, I'd be starting a family as soon as possible. As someone with PCOS my chances of conceiving naturally are reduced, and I won't be able to get pregnant as long as people without this illness. Losing a Fallopian tube further reduces my chances, and I just want to have children asap, at least with winning the lottery, if I ever need to go through IVF the money will be there to help us as much as possible. For as long as I can remember, one of my biggest dreams has been to have my own family, and that has never changed. I can't wait for us to have our own little person that relies on us to help encourage them to be an amazing person.

9. Learn to drive and get a 67' Chevy Impala.

Ahh the 67' Chevy, it's been my dream car now for about 12 years, and it would be mine! For those of you who don't know, this is Dean Winchester beloved car in the hit TV show Supernatural, and it's so darn beautiful.

10. Swim with sharks.

I know this might tie in with the charity idea, but I need to make sure I swim with sharks. Like I mean I want to go into the big wide ocean and either cage dive/swim, or both, with great white sharks. Sharks are by far my favourite animal, and I just think they are so misunderstood and so beautiful. 

There you have it, 10 things i'd do if I won the lottery, so go ahead and leave a comment below and let me know what you'd do if you got that lucky.

The Liebster Award

The Liebster Award

Hello lovelies, I hope you're all having a fabulous Sunday! So Yesterday the lovely Chloe at SimplyChloesBlogsBlog nominated me for the Liebster Award which is just a way for you to give recognition to some of your favourite bloggers whilst also finding new ones.

Little fact before we get started, "Liebster" has several definitions including: dearest, sweetest, kindest, nicest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, welcome, and sweetheart. After finding out what the word of German origin means, I just found the award so much lovelier after knowing this.

Rules 

1. Link back to the person of which nominated you.
2. Post 11 facts about yourself, preferably that you haven't previously shared on your blog.
3. Come up with 11 questions for your nominees to answer.
4. Nominate 11 blogs.
5. Let your nominees know that you have chosen them.  

11 Facts About Me

1. I have partial Spina Bifida, it's probably the rarest form because the only thing different about me is I have a kind of dimple above my coccyx.
2. I watch an unhealthy amount of movies, but I just love them.
3. I'm engaged to the love of my life, and we're marrying next year in Iceland.
4. I have a cat named Steve and he's a bit of psychopath, but I love him.
5. I have PCOS.
6. I have just had surgery that resulted in me losing one of my Fallopian tubes and reducing my chances even further of having children.
7. I have an obsession with murder documentaries.
8. I want to work with animals, but I'm not really sure how to get where I want to be.
9. I've been blogging for 3 years.
10. I'm currently trying to lose weight, become healthier, and just become a better me. 
11. I cry for no reason at all, and at most films.

Questions from Chloe

1. Favourite Disney Quote? "Where there is kindness, there is goodness, and where there is goodness, there is magic" - Cinderella
2. What is your biggest goal? It's quite clear that I love writing, and along with creating my blog and building that up, I aim to have at least one book published in the future.
3. Who is your inspiration and why? Zoe Sugg because she got to where she was by herself, and that means you or I can too. I also take inspiration from Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato because they are strong amazing women and I love them.
4. 3 things that make you happy? My family, the blogging community, and writing. 
5. If you could describe your blog in 3 words, what would the 3 words be and why? Personal, Honest, Positive.
6. What are your blogging goals for the month? I find myself becoming a part time blogger the further into my blogging journey I get, my main goal is to up my blogging game!
7. Where do you get your inspiration for your blog posts? Sometimes I'll gain inspiration from other bloggers, sometimes it'll just come out of nowhere.
8. Books or magazines? I never read magazines, but I absolutely love reading books, my favourite authors being Kathy Reichs, Stephen King, and Giovanna Fletcher.
9. Where is the one place you feel most like yourself? A bit of a cop out answer, but 100% in my house, it's probably the only place that I am 100% myself.
10. What is your favourite category on your blog? Lifestyle, I enjoy writing about things that matter.
11. Who inspires you? My fiance inspires me to be a better person ever single day just by being as amazing as he is.

Questions for you

1.  Do you enjoy reading? If yes, what are your top 5 books, if no, why not?
2. Where do you want to be 5 years from now?
3. Where do you take inspiration from?
4. What's your favourite animal, and why?
5. Why did you decided to start blogging?
6. What's the main theme that runs throughout your blog?
7. What did you want to be when you were younger?
8. Do you have a bucket list?
9. Have you ever overcame one of your fears?
10. What's your favourite part about blogging?
11. If you could only watch one film for the rest of your life, what would it be?
    

My Nominations

Charlene - https://charlenemcelhinney.co.uk/
Ashley - https://boomandblossom.com/ 

Billie - http://billilovesbeauty.blogspot.co.uk/

Becca & Tom - http://seewhatmummysays.com/

April - https://travellingwanderer.com/

Rebekah - http://www.bump2baby2.com/

Zara - http://www.itsallzara.co.uk/

Ellie - http://elliebowsandsparkles.blogspot.co.uk/

RayRayLou - https://rayraylou.wordpress.com/

Lynsey - https://littleluxuriesbylynsey.com/

Kate - https://girlmasked.wordpress.com/

Above I've listed a few blogs that I've enjoyed reading over the last few days, so go ahead and give them a read, I'm sure you won't be disappointed!

Thank you again for the nomination Chloe, you're a star!

Mr and Mrs Twigg

This post has been incredibly delayed due to personal issues, but may I present to you Mr and Mrs Twigg! 

On the 3rd June 2017 I had the absolute pleasure of attending my beautiful cousins wedding, and it was an incredible day. The wedding took place at Daresbury Chuch and it was just beautiful, I can't help but cry at weddings, I don't know why I insist on eye make up! After they said their "I Do's" we traveled to a beautiful lake for the wedding breakfast and evening reception. Upon arriving at the lake I was stunned by it's beauty, I doubt anyone could have planned the day better, it was incredible. With a carousel, hook a duck and plenty of other fairground games, we were all reminded of what it was like to be children again. The wedding breakfast was a little tea party and it was so lovely, thank you again for inviting me to celebrate with you!

I absolutely adore weddings and celebrating love, next year I get to marry my soul mate, and I'm more excited than I have ever been in my life.

Mental Health

Mental Health

On the 20th July 2017 Chester Bennington unfortunately passed away after a long struggle with mental health issues, issues myself and I'm sure a lot of other didn't know he was struggling with.

Following the saddening news that left fans across the world in disbelief, the messages I was hoping not to see began popping up. "Suicide is the weak way out" one would say or "he's selfish" or even "This isn't sad, he chose this". A lot of the comments left on tributes all over the internet left me heartbroken. Yes heartbroken for the loss of one of the greatest musicians to ever grace the earth with his lovely voice, but heartbroken at the way people still view mental health issues. 

I can't even begin to understand how someone can see mental illness as a weakness, how suicide can be seen as an easy way out. 

The human race never fails to disappoint.  

It's so common, it could be anyone. The trouble is, nobody wants to talk about it. And that makes everything worse - Ruby Wax

The reality of having a mental illness is popping endless pills that probably won't make you feel better, probably won't end the pain. It's sitting in a dark room wanting to be alone, not wanting to see or speak to anyone. It's not washing your hair for days, weeks, maybe even months because what's the point? It's feeling worthless and like the walls are closing in, and nothing you do helps. 

For those of you that truly believe that someone suffering with a mental health related problem is worthless and weak leave a comment below, I beg of thee, but also take a moment to think about the following. Imagine feeling worthless, like you're a burden to those you love the most. Imagine feeling like the whole world is against you and nothing you do helps you to feel better, nothing you do helps you out of the dark place you're trapped in. When you're in this mind frame you aren't thinking or acting like a rationale  human being, you won't think about those who love you and how much it will hurt them, all you can think about is ending the pain no matter what the cost. 

Mental health is SO important.

Suicide is not weak and certainly is not selfish.

 

 

 R.I.P. Chester Bennington

A Letter to my past self

A Letter to Younger A.

 

Dearest Ashleigh,

 

You don't know me yet, but I know you better than you currently know yourself, please hold on because things are going to get so good for you!

 

You're so young and innocent right now and don't have a care in the world, this isn't going to last forever so do take advantage of that. I've been dreading writing this part down because it may break your heart a little bit, but you'll never actually become a Pokemon Trainer, unfortunately that will just be a dream. However in 2016 a downloadable game for mobile will be released that will allow you to collect Pokemon via the app, even battle to become a gym master, and it will bring you closer to becoming a trainer than ever before. Again, you'll never form a girl band, save the world from Aliens or visit a Jurassic Park, but you will accomplish so much that you don't even know is important right now.

 

Right now so much of what people say to you probably bothers you, you take everything to heart, but always remember that people are scared of things that are different or things they don't understand. I'm talking about the wonderful colour of your eyes, ignore what people say because people will stare in awe as you grow, they will know how beautiful they are. I'm sorry you're not the prettiest girl, the thinnest girl or even the most popular girl, but take a moment to think about whether that truly matters, you have the kindest soul, kindness is a beautiful thing to have.

 

I know that you have a hard time during primary school, they've put you in extra classes and don't listen to you, but you're going to do better than they could ever imagine. You'll finish high school with amazing GCSE results, you will A* College and even go on to study a BSc in Broadcast and Media Production, probably the hardest degree you could have possibly chosen, but it's worth it.

 

You're currently struggling to make friends right now, but can I let you into a little secret? It doesn't matter because you're about to leave this place. You're going to come across hard times when you do move, your mothers partner isn't your biggest fan, but try not to let him get to you too much because you're worth so much more. The big move will be happening sooner than you think, and you'll go onto form many friendships that will continue throughout your life.

 

You're worth so much more than you could ever imagine and you have so much to offer the world. Your so kind, you're so loving and you put everyone else before yourself. 

 

I must go now, you have a Fiance, a job, and even a house now, there's so much to do.

 

Your dearest self, Ashleigh

Aged: 23

Date: 26/03/17

500 prompts to keep you writing: Why do you want to be a writer?

Why do you want to be a writer?

I want to write because it's one of the greatest stress relievers that I have ever found. Just like reading, writing is the perfect way to escape reality and be transported into a new world of magic, a world where anything and everything is possible, a world with no limitations. I want to write for myself, to prove to myself that it's something that I can do. I want to prove that I can create something as beautiful as some of the fantastic stories that I have read. Most importantly, I want to write because it makes me happy.