The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 20 | Believe...

Can you believe it? It's the 20th of September and that means we only have 10 days left until the end of the month! ROLL ON HALLOWEEN! It feels like just yesterday that we started this challenge, and now I'm sad to say that it's almost over for another year. This month has been a crazy rollercoaster for me, but will be finishing with what will hopefully be the best week of my life. For today though, we have a prompt to talk about!

Tuesday, Sept. 20: Something you wish more people knew or believed.

I wish that more people believed that their illness doesn't define who they are, it doesn't determine their life, and they are so much more than it! 

It's only over the past couple of weeks that I've actually came to realise how many people let their illnesses define who they are, and allow it to determine their life, and it's a horrible thing to see. No one should let their illness take control of their life, the illness is not who you are, it's a small part of you, you're so much more! 

I have PCOS, I'm not PCOS. 

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 17 | The one where I don't VLOG, but talk PCOS instead

Saturday, Sept. 17: Vlogging day! Record a vlog about anything you like!

Hey lovelies! I hope you're all having a wonderful Saturday, I'm off work so I know that I am haha. The prompt for today was to record a vlog, and that's something that I don't think I'll ever be into so instead I'll be talking PCOS.

"Polycystic ovary syndrome: Abbreviated PCOS. Polcystic ovary syndrome is a condition in women characterized by irregular or no menstrual periods, acne, obesity and excess hair growth. PCOS is a disorder of chronically abnormal ovarian function and hyperandrogegism (abnormally elevated androgen levels). It affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is also called the Stein-Leventhal syndrome."

I always try to keep the posts on my blog as positive as I possibly can, but sometimes I just need to ramble and speak my mine. You see I have a syndrome, a syndrome that completely makes sense when I look back on my life.

I'm 22 and the last thing I wanted to be told is that I have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and that there's no cure. The one thing that truly makes you feel like a woman is having the ability to give the one you love in your life a child, and something that comes along with that, no matter how much we hate them, is our monthly periods. I knew something was wrong when I was 16 and was only having a period every 4 months. I spent a lot of time in discussion with my doctors, visiting the hospital, and having various tests, only for them to all return and say that nothing was wrong. I was told that my periods would regulate themselves again and that I had nothing to worry about, it was just because I was young. So I learned to live with it, pushing it to the back of my mind and never wondering what was wrong.

I always knew that there was something wrong with me, I never knew what it was, but I always had that feeling. It was late last year when things began to change for me, my periods became less frequent and a lot heavier. My periods became so heavy that I was afraid to leave the house, and to the point that I'm crying in pain. This is the moment that I knew I needed to return to the doctors and demand answers. 

Over the last few months, I have been sent for more blood tests than I ever imagined, along with a Transvaginal Ultrasound that was absolutely as unbearably uncomfortable as it sounds. Once the ultrasound was over, the technician told me that I had a cyst on my ovary around the size of a golf ball and that they would explain more once back in the clinic. 

I returned to the clinic on the 7th September, after around a month of waiting. I was told about the cyst on my ovary, and that they wanted to repeat both my blood tests and ultrasound, much to my annoyance. Following this, the doctor explained to me that I have polycystic ovary syndrome, but it has nothing to do with the cyst they are currently testing. I went into my appointment expecting one thing to be wrong, not two. 

I have PCOS, I don't really know too much about it, but I'm terrified. I now haven't had a period since February, and I'm afraid to have one. I'm afraid I will struggle to have children, I'm just so afraid right now.

How much do you know about PCOS?

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 14 | Tattoo Inspiration

Wow! We're now nearly halfway through the blog-tember challenge, you've got to admit that this month is absolutely flying by. I love how much notice my blog is getting from this challenge, and I'm sure you all feel the same, I am loving reading everyone's posts :)

Wednesday, Sept. 14: Make a mood board! Are you brainstorming a room re-do, a capsule wardrobe, or already planning for the holidays? 

Our prompt for today is to create a mood board, which I love! We've just been asked to create this to show what kind of things we're planning at the moment, and for myself it's tattoos! 

I currently have 4 tattoos, shown in the images below, and I got my latest addition on Monday after going around a year and a half without any new ink. The collage above is a compiled collection of the tattoos I'm taking inspiration from, and I can't wait to see what comes from them!

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 13 | My Partner

Tuesday, Sept. 13: If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would it be? Why?

It would be amazing if you could really switch lives with someone, but unfortunately it's something that we can only dream of. My answer to this question would be Mike, my better half, without a doubt.

Mike is amazing, but that's obviously something that I would say, haha! I think by choosing him it would strengthen the bond between us, I would be able to understand how his mind works and how he see's the world. I think it would be crazy exciting to be inside his wonderful brain, even just for a day, and I'd love to be able to see myself as he does, maybe it would help me to appreciate myself more than I do. I would want to see his work life because although we do talk about it, it's not in depth, and I can't say that I fully understand how hard it is on him or how hard he works. 

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 12 | Books, the greatest weapons in the world

Monday, Sept. 12: Three books! One you just read, one you're currently reading, and one you want to read.

Recently read: Billy and Me

This fantastic book was the first written by Giovanna Fletcher, whom I adore, and is a book of absolute dreams. I've never really been once for romance, I first read books by John Green which I loved, then moved onto these, and I'm now hooked! Ahh Billy Buskin...you can only imagine how dreamy he is, and I must admit that I've fallen in love with him after reading his book. This book is seriously the sweetest thing ever and I can only pray that it's made into a film. The book follows Sophie May, a young lady living in Kent with her mother, and working in a quirky coffee shop with her best friend Molly. Sophie is quite a shy and anxious person and is completely swept away when big time movie star  Billy Buskin turns up in town to film one of her all time favourites, Pride and Prejudice, which also happens to be one of my favourites! This really is a book about chances, a book about risking everything for love. Ahh it's such a beautiful love story.

Currently reading: Always with love

After reading Billy and Me I did actually read Christmas with Billy and Me, but it was such a short story that I don't really have much to say about that. It obviously followed Billy and Sophie through the Christmas period, bringing us to Always with love. This is another beautiful read, although I'm about 3/4 of the way through, so I'm not quite at the end yet. During this book we follow Billy end Sophie to Los Angeles where they are spending New Years with Billy's family. Billy ends up accepting an offer for a new movie meaning he's staying in LA for awhile whilst Sophie sets back off to Rosefront Hill. In this book we see the challenges they are faced with when their relationship turns long distance...

Reading next: Dream a little dream 

The next book I plan on reading is another by Giovanna Fletcher as I'm working my way through all of her books before I start on anything new. I actually don't know all too much about this book, I just know that I want to read it! This book follows Sarah, a lady who has been single for the last two years, and has spent an uncomfortable amount of time around her ex, his perfect girlfriend and all of their mutual friends. No ones surprised when she starts dreaming about a handsome stranger and begins looking forward to sleeping every night, but it all gets a little strange when her dream-stranger turns up in the real world! This is actually the first time I've read about this book and I'm now super excited to read, eek! 

What are you reading at the moment?

What would you recommend? 

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 7 : Things that bring me joy

Happy Wednesday! As you're reading this post I'm either at the hospital in my appointment or have just received results for the scary tests I've had done. I have absolutely been dreading this appointment for the last month and I'm praying for good news, keep your fingers crossed for me!

Let's not beat around the bush and get straight down to why we're here today, and that's for day 7 of the Blog-tember challenge!

"Joy does not simply happen to us. We have to choose joy and keep choosing is every day" - Henri J.M. Nouwen

Wednesday, Sept. 7: Five things that bring you joy.

1. My partner

2. Photography.

3. Blogging.

4. Reading.

5. Travelling.

What things bring you joy?

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 5 | Most Memorable Birthday: My 21st

Monday, Sept. 5: What was your most memorable birthday?

In January 2015, I celebrated my 21st Birthday. Now, if I'm being honest, the one birthday I wouldn't expect to remember would be my 21st! haha. This was by far my most memorable Birthday, it was full of fun, friends, alcohol, dancing, an unbearable amount of balloons, and cake, lots of cake.

I've always loved Birthdays, but I've never really cared what I spent my Birthday doing so long as I was surrounded by those that I love. My 21st was the first year of having a house and so we decided we need to do something to ensure we remembered this for years to come. It just so happened that my 21st coincided with our move in date, so we would have had a party regardless.

I honestly had the most magical time at this party, although since then I've changed a lot and if I was to do something like this now, I doubt I'd enjoy it as much. I'm so glad that I had such a wonderful party, and so glad of the memories, I just wish this one guy (MIKE) had of came to said party, although that's all history because we found love together regardless

What's your most memorable Birthday?

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 4 | Currently in September

Currently in September

Happy Sunday lovelies, I've been up since the crack of dawn today, I just can't seem to sleep in. I've actually booked a few days off work this week just because I have a couple of appointments and plans with friends, and I just pray that I get on sleep in because I know I'll want when when I'm back in work.

I'm super excited about the plans I have this week, they include but aren't limited to a new tattoo, a girly wine day with my closest friend, and visiting my lovely mother!

Reading... Always with Love by Giovanna Fletcher.
Playing... plan for Rome, catch up on sleep, and preparation for this weeks plans.
Watching... Gilmore Girls, although I'm halfway through season 7, BOO!
Trying... to get everything sorted for my holiday to Rome and stop spending so much money.
Cooking... lunch in a few moments, although I'm not sure what.
Eating... nothing as of yet, but lunch will happen after this post is uploaded :)
Drinking... Coke because I'm naughty and couldn't help myself whilst I was at the shop.
Calling... my lovely mother to arrange future plans and just because I miss her like crazy.
Texting... mainly just my mother, I seem to use facebook messenger to connect with most other people.
Pinning... home inspiration and Christmas ideas
Tweeting... about my blog and life in general
Going... to Rome very soon!
Loving... Giovanna Fletcher's books, they are so good!
Hating... that I still have around 8 shifts until it's holiday time.
Discovering... lots and lots of new books and authors!
Thinking... about what's going come from my next hospital appointment
Feeling...  alot better than I have during previous days.
Hoping (for)... Good results, always good results.
Listening (to)... Taylor Swift, it's always TayTay.
Celebrating... the facts that I've been blogging a lot more than usual!
Smelling... nothing actually, I need to get some candles burning.
Ordering... Christmas presents and books, I can't help but order books!
Thanking... my partner for everything that he does for me.
Considering... whether I want a new house or an extended house.
Starting... to wish I wasn't coming to the end of Gilmore Girls!
Finishing... Gilmore Girls

What are you currently up to?

Day Thirty: Au revoir Septembre bonjour Octobre

Sept 30th: A farewell coffee date. Take some time to breath, sip a warm drink, and share with your new blogging buddies. If you'd like a prompt: how did the Blog-tember challenge go for you? Any surprises? What was your favorite prompt, or what would you like to see included next time?

I'm not a coffee lover or even a coffee liker…a nice cuppa would go down a treat though!

I have really enjoyed the blogtember challenge, I'm a bit annoyed at myself for not managing to keep up to date every single day, but I managed to do the majority and I'm happy with how I did with those.

This has been my first blogging challenge and I'm quite happy with how it all went, I can't wait to be involved in many more! 

It's hard to say which prompt was my favourite because they were all amazing in their own way and I have loved every part of this challenge. 

I'd say it's been an eye opener to be honest.

Blogtember has been amazing, until next time, friends!

xo

Day Twenty Nine: Blogging Resources

Sept 29th: What are your go-to blogging resources? What would you recommend to a beginner?

I'm going to be honest right now; I don't really have any blogging resources.

It may seem hard to believe, because most bloggers have heaps of resources they use whilst blogging but, I just don't.

There are a couple of things that inspire me a little bit, or help point me into the right direction, an example would be Pinterest…there is so much on this site, it's inspired me for a lot of things, my blog, photoshoots, pretty much anything. If you don't have an account I highly suggest you create one.

There was a point about a month or so after creating my blog, where I became obsessed with the layout. When you have a blog and you are truly dedicated to it, you become obsessed with making sure it's as perfect as can be. I had found many free layouts which I liked but, there was always something wrong with them that just didn't sit right with me. This resulted in me heading on over to Etsy to buy a layout, it only cost me £6, which I don't think is too bad at all! If you're dedicated to your blog, make sure it looks the way you want it!

It's almost time for the last day of the #blogtemberchallenge…see you tomorrow!

xo

Day Twenty Eight: September Highs and Lows

Sept 28th: What were your highs and lows for this month?

Highs of September
- Spending a lot of time with my best friend.
- Getting a new tattoo.
- Shows are coming back! It's that time of the year where I don't want to leave my house because there is just too much to watch!
- My Student Finance came in on time!
- I have found myself a new style, it seems to be making me a little happier.
- I went back to University...
- I figured out my plans for my final year project.
- I have Demi Lovato tickets for November!
- I'm in the process of starting my own business with my best friend. 


Lows of September
- My little Hamster, Daisy, passed away.
- I spent a night locked out of my house.
- I went back to University…

It's been a pretty okay month but, it's coming to an end and I'm looking forward to October!

xo

Day Twenty Seven: Wishful thinking…

Sept 27th: What's on your wishlist? Be sure to include links so we can shop, too ;)

Xbox One. Skull Phone Case. Sleeping Beauty Cushion.

The colour added to my recent tattoo. K-9 slippers. 

Fairy string LED lights. 1989.

Christmas with Billy and Me.

There isn't too much on my list really, what about yours?

xo

Day Twenty Four: Fall Bucket List

Today's prompt: Your fall bucket list. What do you want to do before winter rolls around?

My Fall Bucket List

• Carve a pumpkin
• Create more of my own films
• Stop procrastinating when it comes to uni work
• Get another tattoo
• Buy some new converse 
• Take a nature walk
• See Ed Sheeran in concert for the first time
• Burn loads of beautiful scented candles
• Bake fall cookies
• Host a photo shoot that involves a leaf pile

There isn't much to write about for this post…what's on your fall bucket list?

xo

Twenty Three: A Trip Around Liverpool.

Sept 23rd: A guide to your city! Share some of the hot-spots and hidden gems of where you live.

Liverpool is a place that has been in my life for as long as I can remember, it holds a tight grip of a piece of my heart. In the past, Liverpool has been noticed for all of the wrong reasons, those who have never been there couldn't even begin to imagine how amazing the city is. In my eyes, Liverpool is probably one of the most beautiful cities in the world, there are so many amazing architectural buildings and cute places to visit.

Central Perk

Everyone has seen the popular television series Friends, it's probably one of the most watched television series going and frankly, if you haven't seen it, then you must have been living under a rock for the past 20 years. You absolutely have to visit the Friends inspired cafe, Central Perk, especially if you're a lover of the show. It's the cutest cafe that I have ever been to and to make it even better, friends is constantly playing on repeat…what's not to like?

The Cavern Club

One of the worlds most famous bands is The Beatles, and if you didn't know, they were originally from Liverpool. During the beginning years of the band, they would often play in the Cavern Club, it's what it's more commonly known for today. Located outside is just an ordinary brick wall, carved into the bricks are liverpool band names, and this is just a must see.

The Bombed out Church (St. Luke's)

To be honest, not a lot of people take the time to actually appreciate the church, it's more commonly used as a meeting ground for friends, a gathering point, but if you're in Liverpool then you absolutely have to explore inside of the grounds, it's often used to hold gigs and film screenings but is a remarkable building to admire.

When exploring Liverpool you will find a lot of hidden things you wouldnt expect to…if you walk down some of the back alley's near bold street  you will stumble upon some wonderful street art that isn't often noticed. 

Places to visit in Liverpool…

Albert Docs. Central Perk. Bold Street. St George's Hall.

The Anglican Cathedral. China Town. Anfield.

The Cavern Club. The Bombed out Church. Empire Theatre.

Camp & Furnace. Walker Art Gallery. World Museum. 

Sefton Park. Speke Hall. Christmas Continental Markets.

Until tomorrow…

xo