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?

Have Courage and Be Kind

One thing that I've began to notice when I creative these wonderfully detailed posts of how my life is going is that I always manage to focus on the negative aspects of my life. I'm going to be the first to admit that I've always saw myself as a bit of a pessimist, which isn't the way I want to look at life.

My life is full of far more beautiful things than I sometimes think.

I sit here dwelling on the fact that one of my closest friends has basically abandoned me with no warning in a time I could of done with their support. I need to stop myself from thinking that I have probably done something to deserve this because I have done everything in my power to try and keep the friendship alive. This doesn't mean I'm not good enough, and I shouldn't see this as a massive loss for me. I would like to think that I am being the better person here because I have tried time and time again, with no response. Another thing I seem to concentrate on is how much I dislike my job, how much I dread waking up in the morning and spending 11 hours in the office. I just despise how people can treat another human being like something they have just stepped on. I have always tried to do everything in my life with kindness, and I would never just disregard someones feelings. I guess this is why I find it so hard to understand, not everyone has the same morals, some think they are better than others, and most only care about getting everything in their life for free. Again, I shouldn't think so negatively about this, I should think about how I can go to bed smiling because no matter how someone speaks to me, I will always smother them with kindness, making me the better person.

These are the kinds of things I find myself constantly focusing on, but alas, I say no more!

Life is all about happiness, being happy, and spreading happiness. When I take a good look at my life, when I way up the pros and the cons, I actually begin to realise that I am pretty content with my life. In a way, I have everything I have always wanted, a devoted partner, full time income, a house to call my own, and some time to do the things I love to do.

Once upon a time I thought that I knew everything about the world and what it had to offer, but then I realised I'm just a dreamer. I have spent my life thinking that all I needed to do to become that big time director was go to college and then to university, and then I'd have a beautiful degree and the job of my dreams. It was never going to be that simple, I had spent too long believing people when they told me that's all I'd need to do for this to happen.

I think I'm always going to be a ball of stress, I'm always going to be a rollercoaster of emotions,  and I don't see myself being decisive anytime soon. I'm just afraid of making the wrong decisions, I'm afraid of disappointing those that I love, and I constantly let my own insecurities get the better of me.

Little did I know that I already have everything I always wanted.

It's time to focus on the positives!

• I have a devoted life partner that gives me everything I need, although I probably take him for granted. I never imagined that I would find someone as perfect for me as he is. I have found someone who truly accepts me for who I am, and I have never felt so much love and appreciation. 

• My family and extended family are more than I could ever ask for. I have a group of people that I can go to with all of my problems, a group that I would trust with my life. I have never met so many people that encourage and inspire me.

• I have a job. It's not what I have worked for, but it's something to fill my days, a way for me to pay my bills, buy books, and go on the occasional adventure. 

• Speaking of adventure, I'm going to Rome very soon!

• I'm making plans for the future. Whether that be planning a holiday, picking out new furniture or deciding whether our house if big enough for the family we will one day raise here. 

When I take the time to think about it I come to the realisation that my life is pretty damn good! It can be hard to list the positive parts of your life, but I listed those without even thinking about it, and if I took the time to think I could probably come up with a lot more. 

Life isn't about everything being perfect, sometimes it's just about making the most of what you have. 

Things can take time, which is something life is made up of. It's time to focus on the positives and becoming the best version of myself I can truly be.

Guilty Pleasures

Guilty Pleasures 

"I don't believe in guilty pleasures. If you enjoy something, there's nothing guilty about it."

Everyone has those little things in their life that fill them with absolute delight. These might be the things we believe to be our guilty pleasures, the things that we think others may see as strange.

My Guilty Pleasures:

• I REALLY do still enjoy Hannah Montana, I just can't stop listening to here or watching her movie! I just love, LOVE, LOOVVEE her!
• I haven't done this for a very long time, but the idea is always at the back of my mind...I use to always pour icing sugar mix into a cup, make the mixture and just sit and eat it, YUM!
• I adore baths, I know a lot of people like baths, but I could just lay in one for my entire life (providing it's always warm) and it would be perfect.
• Everyone knows that I LOVE movies, but I will watch ANYTHING, no matter how soppy, or how cheesy, I will probably still love it, and most likely still cry because I seem to cry at most movies.
• I completely hoard make up and beauty products to the point that I have far too much for onc person.
• I'm a gamer, but Minecraft is most certainly my guilty pleasure. I'll only play it on adventure mode and I will literally spend hours upon hours just building things. 

So what are your guilty pleasures? 

SeaWorld Kills!

SeaWorld Kills!

"ALL GOOD THINGS ARE WILD AND FREE"

I have taken it upon myself over the past few months to read as much material as possible, to learn as much as I can about the Orcinus Orca. I have done this to try and understand their behaviours, and after doing this have finally took the plunge and decided to watch the incredibly fascinating documentary that is 'Blackfish', a documentary that focuses on the lives of these highly intelligent creatures at the popular park SeaWorld.

Orcas are highly social animals, but under no circumstances does this mean that we can take them away from their natural habitat, their family, and randomly throw them into a concrete tank with other Orcas. Each 'family' of Orcas is different to the next, they may be the same animal, but their DNA is completely different, their behaviours, personalities, and language too.

After watching this documentary, I have been left completely heartbroken at the idea that anyone can think that the way these animals have been captured and treated is in any way humane, that anyone can blame these animals for becoming aggressive.

I'm going to be honest with you now and tell you that when I first began to watch this documentary, I thought that anyone who died at the flipper of an Orca was asking for it, but after watching this I came to discover that these trainers aren't the ones in the wrong, they have always loved these animals. I completely believe that if these trainers didn't take it upon themselves to care for these animals so deeply, then their lives would have been far worse. You can tell that these trainers truly feel sorry for these animals, but they can't really do anything about the way the owners treat them, because they are just employees after all. 

It's not hard to understand why these animals can become aggressive, why they have killed. You can't take something out of the Ocean, separate it from it's family, and expect it to be happy performing for your entertainment. 

SeaWorld need to have a change of heart, they need to start moving the captive orcas and other marine mammals to transitional coastal and wildlife sanctuaries. 

Orcas can live far beyond 50 years in the wild, but in captivity? they will be lucky to reach 30. Is this really the life we want these intelligent creatures to live?

If you care as much about this as myself, then head here to let them know how you feel, then head here to show everyone else how you feel!

What I'm Wishing For

I absolutely love browsing the internet, stumbling upon little treasures that would look much better in my possession. I don't need to sit here and waffle on when I can just show you everything I'm hoping for!

I've just moved into my beautiful house with my gorgeous partner and one thing that we're missing is cute little prints and just house decor in general...here's a few things I've been hoping for lately.

I've never been one for wanting or wearing much jewellery, but lately I've found myself to be in love with a couple of Valentines pieces from Pandora, aren't they just to die for?

As a massive camera geek, probably the biggest you'll ever meet, I'm currently eyeing up a new camera, not just any camera, a go pro. I completely object to travelling to the beautiful city of Rome without one of these beautiful pieces of technology. 

There are so very many TV shows that I'm currently in the middle of watching, so many I need to catch up on.

And then there's a couple of books too...

I think that's about everything on my current wish list, not too much, haha! I'd love to hear what you're currently wishing for at the moment, share in the comments lovelies! 

My Bucket List - 2016 Update

My Bucket List - 2016 Update 

Around this time last year I shared my bucket list with the world for the very first time, this is a list of truly amazing things, i'd be extremely lucky to complete even a 10th of this list. Today I bring to you the first update on this list, I'd like to share what I have done, what I hope to have completed by the end of the year.

"Become friends with people who aren't your age. Hang out with people whose first language isn't the same as yours. Get to know someone who doesn't come from your social class. This is how you see the world, this is how you grow."

Bucket List

1. Experience The Northern Lights from a glass igloo in Finnish Lapland.

2. Abseil off The Story Bridge in Brisbane, Queensland.

3. Visit The Grand Canyon.

4. Visit Niagara Falls.

5. Zip lining at Penthyn Quarry, Bethesda. 

6. Visit the base camp of Everest.

7. Visit The Louvre.

8. Visit Rome to see the Coliseum.

9. Visit the Eiffel Tower.

10. Visit Egypt to see The Pyramids of Giza.

11. Visit the 7 wonders of the ancient world, or the locations where they once stood.

12. Visit The Great Barrier Reef.

13. Mausoleum at Halicarnassus.

14. Walk along The Great Wall of China.

15. Visit all 7 continents. 

16. Explore an underground cenotes in Mexico.

17. Explore Venice

18. Visit an extinct Volcano.

19. Visit a live Volcano.

20. Visit New Zealand.

21. Swim with Sharks.

22. Put a lock onto the Lock Bridge in Paris. 

23. Climb The Sydney Harbour Bridge.

24. Visit all 52 States.

25. Visit Antarctica.

26. Explore the area around Area 51.

27. Visit Prague.

28. Visit The Sistine Chappell.

29. Visit Stonehenge.

30. Skydive.

31. Go on an African Safari.

32. Backpack Europe.

33. Go on an American road trip.

34. Visit the Taj Mahal.

35. Visit the Pink Lake located in Western Australia. 

36. Swim with Whale Sharks in Cancun.

37. Visit The Amazon Rainforest. 

38. Visit The Catacombs of Paris.

39. Visit The Anne Frank House.

40. Visit Gedenkstatte Berliner Mauer. 

41. Learn Japanese.

42.  Visit Shakespeare's Birthplace. 

43. Visit The Statue of Liberty.

44. Visit Australia Zoo. 

45. Write a book.  

46. Visit The Memorial and Museum Auschwitz - Birkenau.

47. Get Married.

48. Have Children.

49. Visit Sydney Harbour.

50. Visit Yellowstone National Park.

51. Dance in the rain.

52. Meet an idol.

53. Adopt an abandoned animal.

54. Experience the Superbowl in person. 

55. Attend San Diego Comic-Con.

56. Stand under the Hollywood sign.

57. Visit the Dead Sea.

58. Take a photo everyday for a year.

59. Give to charity.

60. Cage dive with Great White Sharks.

61. See Taylor Swift Live.

62. Buy a house.

63. Learn to drive.

64. Learn to swim.

65. Learn how to take a compliment.

66. Time Travel?

67. Plant a tree.

68. Fall deeply in love - helplessly and unconditionally. 

69. Spend a night in a haunted house, alone.

70. Perform infront of an audience.

71. Learn to play the banjo.

72. Attend a festival.

73. Understand that you can't please everyone.

74. Learn to shoot a gun.

75. Sleep under the stars.

76. Travel for a whole year.

78. Overcome my fears.

79. Visit the location where Lord of The Rings was set.

80. Visit Tour Patagonia.

81. Visit The Himalayas. 

82. Explore the temples and gardens of Kyoto.

83. Live in a different country.

84. Disconnect for a week.

85. Bury a time capsule.

86. Create a treasure map that directs them to nothing.

87. Graduate from University.

88. Study to become a Teacher.

89. Do a Masters degree.

90. Donate Blood.

91. Throw someone a surprise party.

92. Read 100 books in a year.

93. Say "Yes" for a whole day.

94. Write 365 letters to someone, one every day.

95. Take in as much culture as possible.

96. Do 50 random acts of kindness.

97. Shoot a bow and arrow.

98. Identify 10 constellations.

99. Follow my dreams. 

100. Accept yourself for who you are.

I'm looking forward to scratching off a few more things from my bucket list this year! Whats on your bucket list? 

Beauty Products I'm loving in 2016

Hey my lovelies! As of lately I have been experimenting with various new beauty products, as well as those I have loved for awhile. In this post I'm looking forward to sharing these products with you! I have an incredibly wide variety of different products that I'm just ecstatic to share with you, and I look forward to hearing your opinions and about the products that you've been loving so  far in 2016!

Beauty Products I'm Loving in 2016

Garnier Micellar Cleansing Water

I had thought about trying cleansing water for awhile, mainly to just clear my face of make up. Since trying the product I would honestly never use anything else for this, it's perfect for cleansing your face and just making your skin look and feel perfect.

Rogue Love by Rihanna 

This is my absolute favourite perfume., the scent is the most divine scent that my nostrils have ever encountered, it's the perfect combination of everything that you could ever want in a perfume. The scent is so perfect, it smells floral, it reminds me of falling in love, it's just the most girly and loveliest smell ever. I highly recommend this perfume and I fully believe that I'm going to be in love with this scent for the longest time. 

Soap and Glory Mist you madly body spray 

This beautiful scent is just a lovely little mist spray that is absolutely perfect for everyday use. To be honest, you don't need to use a lot of this because the moment you spray that divine mist you're going to smell incredible, the best part is it lasts for AGES.

Maybelline New York's Baby skin lightweight primer

I never, ever wear make up without primer, and for a good few years now I've been switching up my primer every time I run out, mainly because I've been finding it difficult to find the best one for myself, for my skin, and I am so happy to finally say that I have found the one! The baby skin primer is just absolutely perfect, I cannot fault it one little bit, it erases my pores and makes the application of my make up absolutely glorious.

Max Factor Face Infinity 3 in 1 Foundation in Natural

I'm liking Max Factor foundations a lot lately, but this is the first time I've ever tried this specific one. The colour natural in this foundation is absolutely perfect for my skin tone. I always find it quite difficult to find a foundation that works for me, that does everything that I need it to. Covers my bags. Covers my overwhelming rosy cheeks. Evens my skin tone. Makes me feel confident. I have to be honest with you right now and say that Max Factor is doing an absolutely fantastic job with providing make up that does what I need it to do. Bravo!

Rimmel London lasting finish concealer in Ivory

This is a lovely little tube concealer that is incredibly perfect for getting rid of little blemishes and dark circles, whilst still looking natural. I've used various different concealers with various different applicators and I have to admit that just applying this concealer using my finger tip has given me a better result than any other concealer, ever!

Maybelline New York's Brow drama pomade crayon in Dark Blond

My hair has gotten darker over the years, whereas my eyebrows have just kind of stayed incredibly light, and I say, NO MORE! This crayon is perfect for doing what I want a brow crayon to do, and that is just to fill in my brows a touch and add a bit of a darker tone to them.

Rimmel London extra super lash mascara in Black

I've found this to be the best mascara for me, it actually makes my lashes look thicker and longer, which is definitely what I need. 

Maybelline New York's lasting drama eye pencil in black 

Everyone needs a good eyeliner, it's not usually too hard to find a good one to be honest. I just love how this one makes my eyes look, it's the perfect little eye pencil. 

Maybelline New York's master ink liquid eyeliner in Matte Black

I've just began doing my own liquid eyeliner, yes I'm still the the stage of repeatedly poking myself in the eye, but I never claimed to be an expert! This is the first liquid eye liners that I have used properly, and by properly I mean that I haven't gave up in the first 5 minutes. haha! I love how this looks when applied, I've found is so easy to apply, which is perfect for someone who's useless at applying it. 

Rimell London's Kate lipstick in Nude 48

This is my favourite lipstick! It's just a lovely, natural colour that reminds me of autumn and I have nothing else to say about it, it's just beautiful.

Maybelline New York's colour drama lip pencil in 520 Light it up 

I have ALWAYS used a red lipstick, it makes me feel like a million dollars,  but every time I try a new one I find that it's just too wet, they just never stay on my lips for more than a few hours, and I was completely fed up with redoing my lipstick ALL OF THE TIME!  This lip pencil or crayon, whichever you'd like to call it, is the best red lipstick that I have ever used. It's not wet, it doesn't stick to your partners face when you kiss them, and it actually stays on for the entire day!

What are your favourite beauty products at the moment? Share in the comments, I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xx