The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 21 | Minimalistic Vanilla

Well hello Wednesday...I'm currently writing this post with the divine smell of cakes baking beautifully in the oven, and the moment I've finished here I'll be going to ice them! It's a little bit of a late post today, noticeably not as late as yesterdays 10pm post though! haha. I've had a lovely day with one of my nearest and dearest friends today, just eating delicious foods and watching Bridget Jones's Baby...AGAIN! I had a wonderful time, I appreciate these days more than most.

Wednesday, Sept. 21: If you were a flavor of ice cream, which flavor would you be? Why?

I REALLY have to be in the mood for ice cream to actually enjoy it, mainly because my sweet tooth isn't too big at all. However...when I'm feeling it, I will sit and scoff the entire tub without a second thought. haha.

If I were a flavour of ice cream I would probably be vanilla, and that's not to say I'm plain and boring, because that's certainly not what vanilla is! It is because I enjoy the little things in life, sometimes beauty comes in the most simplistic form. Which is another thing I enjoy my life to be, as simple as possible without any complications. Vanilla ice cream is a classic, and I love a classic, I find joy in the most normal day, just like in vanilla ice cream.

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?

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 2 | Goals

Goals

Friday, Sept. 2: Share a list of your current goals.

Hey, lovelies and happy Friday to you all! I'm working today, but following my departure from work this evening, I actually have 6 days off and lots of plans!

It's now day 2 of the blog-tember challenge and I'm still going strong. This year I've decided to plan in advance for these posts because one thing I struggle with is finding the time to write, especially on my days in work. I'll be scheduling all of my posts in the hope of successfully completing the challenge without missing a day. 

I haven't actually compiled a list of my goals for a little while now so I'm quite excited to get everything down on this page. 

Monthly goals:

1. Read 4 books. I've always been a big lover of reading, I just often struggle to find the time to finish a book, but I've been doing a lot better lately. I'd ideally like to read more than 4 books a month, but let's start off light eh? 

2. Learn to swim. One of my biggest dreams is to swim with sharks because they are amazing and I just love them. I only have one little problem... I can't swim. Mike and I have been going to our local pool every single week in order to try and beat my fears and reach the ultimate goal of me learning to swim. It's going to take awhile, but we will get there!

3. Save. This is an always goal for me, not because I can't save, but just because life continuously gets in the way. There are so many wonderful things that I want to do, and obviously, they cost money, especially all of those Holidays. It's time to sort out Christmas, save for Japan, and all of the other wonderful adventures we plan to go on.

4. WRITE! Writing is one of my biggest passions, but sometimes life gets in the way. I come here as much as I can to talk to you and tell you all about my life. Another thing I'm trying to get finished at the moment is my own book, it's taking some time and I'm constantly distracted, but I will finish and will publish.

5. Enjoy working. I need to take the time to find a job that I could fall in love with. That's certainly something it's going to take, time. All I need to remember is that I have a job for now that will help me pay for the things I need, but there's a bigger end goal in sight. 

6. Do more things that make me happy. I love a lot of things, reading, writing, gaming, creating videos, and the list goes on. It's very easy to let life get in the way of the things you really want to do, and it happens to the best of us. I need to start using my time off work more productively.

7. Go to ALL of my hospital appointments. I hate the hospital, I absolutely despise it, and I've spent so long avoiding getting things checked out. All I seem to do at the moment is visit the hospital, and I have so many more appointments lined up. I'll make sure I attend them all, as much as I don't want to because my health is at stake, and nothing is more important than your health.

8. See my loved ones more. It can be hard to spend time with those you love when you don't leave too close to one another and when you have completely different schedules. I'm going to stop making excuses and just start making plans more frequently, no matter how busy life gets.

9. Visit Rome. It's booked, it's finally booked! It's now less than a month until we will be walking around the beautiful streets of Rome, and I'm unbearably excited. This trip is something I've waited so long to do, and along with this trip will come many things ticked off my bucket list.

10. Be happy. Happiness is the ultimate goal in life, it's all I strive for. I must admit that my life is pretty perfect right now, but things have a habit of changing. 

Some more goals...

• Get a new tattoo
• Exercise more
• Play more games
• Be decisive
• Stop procrastinating 
• Spend Christmas just us two, no matter how stressful
• Get Christmas shopping finished before November
• Do more of the DIY projects I constantly say I want to do
• Do more book/film/game reviews
• Buy a new sofa
• Cook more

What are your current goals?

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 1 | Meet Ashleigh

The Blog-tember Challenge: Day 1 - Meet Ashleigh

Hello lovelies! Happy September to all and what better way is there to spend September than participating in the Blog-tember challenge. Unfortunately I managed to completely miss the challenge last year and I was absolutely gutted! From that moment I made sure to leave a memo in my diary to ensure I would not miss it this year! 

Thursday, Sept. 1: Introduce yourself however you like! Pics, vlog, collage, your choice :)

I'm Ashleigh. I'm 22 and live in a not so big town in the North West of England with my sweet lovely Mike, and I'm very proud of the bricks and water that have came together to create our lovely little home. This has been my first real year without those lovely summer holidays, and it's awful! I've been a working girl for the last year of my life, not doing something I completely enjoy, but it pays the bills. I studied a BSc in Broadcast and Media Production at Liverpool John Moores University and it was the worst 3 years of my life. 

I have MANY dreams, most of which include me being on a place travelling to beautiful places. I'm a blogger (obviously) when I remember. I love reading, I love being transported into new worlds. I'm in the process of writing my own book, it's a working progress that's for sure, but I hope to one day be a published author. I have a MASSIVE love for cameras and love running around taking pictures of everything and anything, I'm quite the creative person. Have I mentioned reading? I love reading. I also love watching films, I could never watch too many films, and I'm quite the gamer too I must admit. 

These are a few of my favourite things... 

Reading. Pizza. Doctor Who. Tattoos. Gaming. Writing. Supernatural. 

Boyfriend.Blogging. Make-up. Bones. Candles. Travelling. Movies. Clothes. 

Stephen King. Horror. Journals. Cameras. Autumn.

Tell me about yourself...

What are your favourite things?

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 Five: Introducing Miss Stacey Williams!

Sept 25th: Grab a guest post! Swap blogs with someone, and share about anything. :)

Hello, I am Stacey Williams, and I am Ashleigh's best friend…yes, the one she talks about in most blogs ;) I have been invited to host my own blog on Ashleigh's page for the #blogtemberchallenge :) I will now tell you some things about me..

I am currently

…reading I'm reading Billy & Me by Giovanna Fletcher. Its a lovely story about a girl who lives a shallowed life in a small village, before finding love with a handsome movie star and moving to London. I'm about two thirds of the way through this book and have to say, it's pretty amazing! I also think it's a coincidence that Ashleigh and I are both reading Giovanna Fletcher books, but then again, she is an amazing writer.

…watching I'm currently watching season 8 of Doctor Who. We're only a few episodes in, but I think this season is turning out to be something special. It's definitely the best writing we've had for a while. When I first heard that Matt Smith was leaving Doctor Who, I was heart broken. His performance as The Doctor was simply breathtaking to watch, and I honestly never thought I'd like seeing anyone else play the role. But I have to say, Peter Capaldi is doing a pretty good job! He had big boots to fill, but I think the role fits him like a glove.

…trying At the moment, I'm trying out different styles. I've realised recently that I haven't really ventured out of my comfort zone when it comes to how I look and what I wear. I've had pretty much the same dress sense since I left school (that was 5 years ago..yeah) and it's becoming a bit dull. I'm also thinking of changing my hair up a bit, maybe a dip dye or a fringe or something. And then of course I'm thinking of piercing my nose and getting a tattoo..so yeah, nothing too drastic. Can't imagine my mums face when I walk through the door like that..she'll think I've hit my rebellion stage just a little too late!

…eating I'm not eating pizza, but I like pizza. I like pizza a lot. I like any kind of food really, apart from olives. They do not belong on this planet, I swear. But yeah, I like pizza mostly. I wish I had pizza now. There's ice cream in the freezer actually, and we have lots of cake..hmm..

…tweeting I usually tweet the members of bands that I'm into, or I tweet about them, or I tweet their lyrics, or I tweet that I have tickets to see them. You get the picture. I tweet a lot about my cat too, and seem to tweet about how much I love my best friend as well. Aw :)

…going I'm not really going anywhere at the moment, apart from bed. It's almost 11pm as I'm writing this so my day is already over. But what a day it was! I spent it with my best friend, shopping in lovely Liverpool. I spent a fair share of money, but spending time with one of my favourite people was priceless. We went for a three course meal afterwards and almost killed ourselves with how much we ate..think we'll just stick to a starter and main meal next time!

…loving I'm loving life in general at the moment. My family are all happy and healthy as far as I'm aware, I'm seeing loads of my best friend, and I'm about to start my second year in uni, studying Film & TV Production. Everything seems to be really good right now, I hope I don't jinx myself..

…discovering I'm starting to discover that I'm maturing as a person. I keep telling myself that I still feel like the 16 year old girl that left school (5 years ago, in case you forgot), but then I have these moments where I just stop and reflect on how far I've come. When I left school, I had no dreams, no ambition for the future. I didn't know where I was going in life, or who I wanted to be. I didn't even have anyone I could really call a friend. I'm not gonna sit here and give a sob story, but I was a bit down in the dumps. But now, I've got amazing people around me, and I'm at uni and I know what I want to do with my life and where I want to go. I really have grown up a lot. I'm still a boob sometimes though..

…enjoying  I'm enjoying the last of my summer break. I go back to uni in 4 days time, so I'm getting in some last minute fun before its essays, shooting schedules and more bloody essays! But I am more than looking forward to getting back to uni and seeing what this year has to offer.

…thinking I think I think too much. I'm not even sure what to write because I'm thinking too much right now. This question gives me anxiety. I'm thinking 'I wonder how many people know that the plastic bit at the end of a shoelace is actually called an aglet'. Yeah..

…feeling I'm very happy at the moment. Things are just good right now, I have no reason to be unhappy. I have a roof over my head, food on the table and lots of love. That's all that I need.

…hoping I'm hoping that I stay this optimistic for the rest of the year. My moods often change quicker than you can say pizza, so I'm just really hoping that I stay feeling this good for a while. I'm also hoping that the people around me feel this good too :) Oh and I'm hoping for more pizza..

…listening At the moment I'm listening to a lot of 5 Seconds of Summer, The Vamps, Ed Sheeran and Demi Lovato. I've been listening to a lot of bands from my childhood as well like Sum 41 and Good Charlotte, and of course, Green Day and Blink-182. My all time favourites have to be McFly and Busted, or as they're now known as, McBusted!

…thanking I should really thank my mum a lot more than I do. She puts up with a hell of a lot and still manages to look after me, same goes for my sister too half the time. I should thank my best friend for being a good friend and always supporting me. She's awesome, and I'm not just saying this because I'm on her blog ;)

…starting I feel like I'm starting the next chapter of my life. It's a weird feeling to explain. I've been through quite a bit in the past few years, but now it feels like I'm finally me again and I'm really starting to enjoy life the way I should. Yay!