· it's all about the balance ·

Happy April everyone! 

I don't particularly know just how we're in April already, but there we are. This post is going to be quite picture ridden but it's a little insight into my recent trip to Bansko, Bulgaria. I went on a ski/snowboard trip with a few people from work. It's the third time a group of us have been, and it really is the best feeling. Getting away, from the hustle & bustle of city life, with no stresses (apart from hoping the plane lands when you get there!) and with some pretty amazing people. I never ever want to leave at the end of these trips. It's been three years since I was last there, and I was itching to get back out there! By the end of the trip I thought I was ready to head home, but as soon as I got on the bus, I really wasn't. I still have the holiday blues, but I know that come next season we'll be back at it again, so it's ok :) 

The weather on a couple of days was just awful, and the snow all round was the worst we've ever seen it but we still had a great time. 

So here are some photographs from the trip! 

There's quite a few more, but that's just a little snippet for you to see! 

Where we stayed was lovely, two tiny houses for 7 of us and it was perfect location.

Walking distance to both the shops and the gondola station. 

Bansko is quite a small resort so that's not hard to come by but it was great. 

As I said, the weather wasn't at it's best this year but I have heard that most resorts around Europe had their worst snow for a while this year. Hopefully it'll be ten times better next year! 

As much as I love little Bansko, we're thinking of going somewhere else next time to just mix it up a little bit, possibly Andorra or Austria, depending on prices! 

Even though I am physically home right now, my head is still pretty much on holiday. 

I need to snap out of that pretty sharpish however, as I have exams next month! 

I'm sure I can manage! 

Hope you've enjoyed looking at the little selection of photographs I've posted here, and if you ever want to head to this resort, take a look here: http://www.banskoski.com/en

Enjoy the rest of your week! 

CONTINUE READING

· TMI TAG ·

Hello everyone! 

I haven't written a post in a while - it's been a hectic start to the year, what with going to uni during the week and then working on the weekend. Not to mention trying to fit in a social life during that time also. I have now broken up from uni for the Easter break, so I have a few weeks off. In that time, I'm going to Bansko with some friends skiing, and also to London to see my best friend. So I should have some interesting posts on the way! 

But for now, I thought as I have some time to kill whilst relaxing in the flat on my own, I would do the TMI tag so that you can get to know me a little bit with some random questions! I did film this for my youtube channel last year, but the footage was blurry and then I gave up! So I thought I would do it in a blog post instead until I'm confident enough to film another video. So here we go! 

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1. What are you wearing?: Cath Kidston socks, joggers and my Brotherhood Clothing sweater.

2. Ever been in love?: Yes.

3. Ever had a terrible break up?: Oh goodness, yes. 

4. How tall are you?: Just under 5''4.

5. How much do you weigh?: I don't like weighing myself, so who knows. 

6. Any tattoos?: Yep! 3! Two on my leg and one on the back of my neck. 

7. Any piercings?: 4! Ears, nose and tragus.

8. OTP?: ...Adam Brody & Leighton Meester. 

9. Favourite Show?: Wow, um.. Sons of Anarchy, Buffy, One Tree Hill, New Girl, Friends...

10. Favourite bands?: YOU CAN'T ASK THAT. There's too many! 

11. Something you miss?: Family I can't see all the time, Paris, friends I don't get to see all the time.. 

12. Favourite song?: There's too many of these, but one I know for sure ''The Quiet Things that No One Ever Knows'' by Brand New. 

13. How old are you?: 25.

14. Zodiac Sign?: Leo.

15. Quality you look for in a partner?: They have to make me laugh. 

16. Favourite quote?: ''Imagination will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.'' - Carl Sagan.

17. Favourite actor?: Oooh, I think either Mark Ruffalo or Tom Hanks.

18. Favourite colour?: Green.

19. Loud music or soft?: Depends on my mood, I like both. 

20. Where do you go when you're sad?: Either my room, or somewhere my friends are. 

21. How long does it take you to shower?: About 15/20 minutes, depends on if I'm daydreaming. 

22. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?: I like to wake up far earlier than necessary so I don't have to rush, to get ready though about an hour or so. 

23. Ever been in a physical fight?: I never fought back, but a girl did scram my eyes out in a club once, witch. 

24. Turn on?: Someone who smells nice. 

25. Turn off?: Arrogance, bad smells, cockiness..blah blah blah.

26. Fears?: Bats, flying, being alone, death. 

27. Last thing that made you cry?: I think it was 'The Voice'' haha! I'm pathetic. 

28. Last time you said you loved someone?: When I face timed Mama earlier. 

29. Last book you read?: 'Eat Pray Love'.

30. The book you're currently reading?: I'm not, but I'll start a new one when I go on holiday. 

31. Last person you talked to?: Mama. 

32. Last show you watched?: I've got the TV on right now, some renovation show. 

33. The relationship between you and the person you last texted?: Best friend. 

34. Favourite food?: Hmm...I'm coeliac, so I don't really have a favourite anymore. 

35. Place you want to visit?: The list is endless, but, New Zealand, alllll of Scandinavia, Africa, Berlin... there really is a ton of places. 

36. Last place you were?: Carly's house. 

37. Do you have a crush?: Does Jake Gyllenhaal count? Didn't think so.. 

38. Last time you kissed someone?: Just over a month ago. 

39. Last time you were insulted?: Um, not sure. 

40. Favourite flavour of sweet?: I don't really have a sweet tooth, but I prefer chocolate. 

41. What instruments do you play?: I don't anymore, but I used to play piano, wish I still did. 

42. Favourite piece of jewellery?: My Claddagh ring. 

43. Last sport you played?: Oh I have no idea.

44. Last song you sang?: I think something on the radio in the car with Carly. 

45. Favourite chat up line?: Chat up lines make me want to vom. 

46. Have you ever used it?: ...

47. Last time you hung out with someone?: TODAY! 

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So there we have it! There's a few I missed out as they ask about YouTube but that doesn't matter. 

It was just a little something to pass the time, for a bit of fun! 

In a week or so I should have a more interesting post of my time skiing! 

Hope you are having a lovely week :) 

CONTINUE READING

· on to the next! ·

Happy New Year Everyone! 

· happy times from last year · 

iceland//london with my bestest//stepmomma

rossross//another of my bestest//my pup

best parents ever//the boys//the greatest friends

I'm not one for new years resolutions, they just do not work for me. I would rather just let the year happen, and whatever I do, whatever happens, will happen. Last year was a very large mixture of emotions and happenings for me. Quite frankly, I don't want to remember some parts, I don't want to dwell on others, and the nice bits, they can stay there too. This year, I want things to change. What I do know is, is that I'm living with someone really great and I'm comfortable in that. I have a job and I can afford to do things. I am going to University and even though this is a difficult foundation year, I'm doing well, and I just have to get through from now until June, and then hopefully I'll have passed to get onto my first year. I have the greatest family and friendship group and I couldn't ask for a better bunch of people to get to spend my time with. I'm getting on with getting myself back to 'happy' and that's also a big step and it seems to be doing the trick too. 

What I do know is, this year, I have to focus on doing things that make me happy. One of my biggest flaws I've learnt from last year, is that I spend most of my time worrying about other people, and not paying any attention to myself. If I do, it's usually a negative thought about myself. This year, that will not be happening. Or at least I'm going to try! 

I was reading a blog earlier and they had written down some things that make them happy. So I thought I would do the same. Obviously, this list is tiny compared to absolutely everything that makes me happy, but it's just a few things that came to mind for right now. 

To be honest, I can't believe it's already the 13th January already. But I'm going to try and do as much this year, in the free time I do have in between work & uni, with the best people. Hangs, adventures, times in the pub, meals out, cinema times, getting creative, movie nights.. whatever it is, I don't want to miss any moments this year by being down in the dumps. 

Here's my happy list! 

· singing musical soundtracks when i'm home alone

· the famalam 

· cosy nights in with lauren, dressed like grannys, in mismatched pjs, watching one direction videos 

· the proud feeling i get when i've passed an assignment or test in uni 

· ski trips: there's nowhere i've ever felt more comfortable, the atmosphere, the smells, the company, it's the best holiday feeling ever

· not knowing what this year is going to bring, not waiting for things to happen, things will happen when they are meant to

· getting in contact with people who you've not spoken to in a while 

· face timing family 

· a cold can of coke

· getting urges to be really creative again 

· having the help to get me happy again 

· days when you have no plans, but then get to see your favourites

· lush perfume 'karma' 

· going to the cinema 

· my bed 

· neil the sloth from the goggle box advert 

Clearly, as I said, this is most definitely not everything. By any means. 

Wether you have made resolutions, made goals, whatever, I hope this year is good to you all! 

CONTINUE READING

· Little Update ·

Good Afternoon! 

It's currently sunny but chilly outside and I'm cwtched up in bed writing this post! Fear not though, I have actually been up today, made breakfast, done the dishes and put a load of laundry out to dry.. so I've not had an entirely lazy morning! 

·

Last week I had my induction week in Uni! It wasn't hugely interesting as it was just talks on us getting used to the university. Unlucky for me, I live a nice £6.80 train journey away which when it came to only needing to spend an hour at uni on Thursday for a talk about the advice shop.. i decided to stay in my bed instead. 

This week I've been starting on actual lectures however! 

Monday I didn't need to start until 4 so I had some chill time, but then our last lecture was cancelled so I got to head straight back to Cardiff! Then it was time to head our for some food with friends for a birthday meal. Tuesday, unfortunately I had to miss Uni as I'd been scheduled for a shift that I needed to do in work so I missed work. By the time I got home, I was exhausted. Yesterday, I had to get up really early again to be in Uni for 8am. We did some tree surveys for two hours in the morning light and then we'd finished for the day! Safe to say when I got in and I'd made some food & a cup of tea, got into bed, ate my food and fell asleep and forgot about my tea.. I napped twice yesterday. So so tired. Today, I have Uni at 5.. so I've done my chores for the morning, I will be getting some lunch in a bit, then showering to get ready to go. 

· 

I think it will take me a few weeks to get used to the commute, but also not being able to see my favourites throughout the week. That's the worst bit! The last two weeks I've thankfully had plans and I have got to see my friends, but it's just strange not being able to see them everyday. 

Also, how lush is the view on my way to Uni!

 This was around 7:30am yesterday morning, and I just had to stop and take a photo of the sunrise. 

Hope you have a good weekend!

CONTINUE READING

· it's been a while ·

Good Evening! 

It's been quite a while since I've written on here. However, today, on a very rare time I've had two days off in a row, I've had a chance to relax. I've done a lot and been through a lot since my last post in February. Some great things, some really not so great. I'm not going to go into any of it really, the bad things. It's not for here and quite frankly, it's time to be positive. Thank god for my family and my friends. I literally don't think I'd be in this positive frame of mind if it wasn't for them. Also, I've realised, no matter if it's bad or good, it makes your family closer and stronger, and the same for friends. I really do have the greatest people in my life. 

This post is mainly going to be photo's. Just a little insight into what I've been getting up to. I'm currently sitting in my new flat, which I share with the lovely Lauren, with the back door open, the sun is beginning to set, and two of my favourite men are coming over for a cup of tea. So I thought, why not write my post now whilst I wait. This morning I spent a little bit on a new template for my blog which I got from here! There are some truly beautiful templates on this website and I'm really happy with the one I've chosen. I'm also going to update it regularly. Not sure what with at the moment. Anything and everything really. But I will. Also, I recently found out I've been accepted into University! I was hoping to get onto the three year course, however I'll be attending the 4 year with a foundation year. I'm not complaining! I'm so grateful and for all the help I've had from my parents. It's time for a new adventure - seriously. 

So here's some photo's from the last few months. Expect family, friends and a lot of dogs!

I've done a lot more, but didn't capture everything!

 Enjoy :) 

· dinner at milgi//birkett wedding//monkey faces at london zoo//

brother,sister,niece & nephews//barry island//adventures with mumma//

joe meets baxter//car times with ross · 

                                                                     

· SOA & drawing//mumbles sunset//home//birkett babies//

old trafford//morning snuggles with apple//baxter//

big rich meets macey love//turnstile madness · 

· sulli in the pit during broken teeth//my new cave//

the best parents ever//adventures with mumma · 

· apple birkett//family smiles//day with baxter//best friend//tattoo idea//

baxter chillin'//the thames at sunset//rooftop bbq//funny faces · 

CONTINUE READING

· The first Reykjavik post ·

Hello everyone!

I realise it's been an age since I last posted here, however I've been super busy. In amongst a full time job, trying to fit in my a-level and trying to have a tiny social life in between, I've not been the most inspired to write a new post. Although, I finally have something that I'd love to share with you.

Last year, for Alfie's birthday, I surprised him with a 5 day trip to Reykjavik, Iceland! It did mean that he would have to wait almost an entire year to actually go, but he was super excited and so was I. I wanted to get him something special and that we'd both remember. We've been on holiday together before, but it's either been with friends, or places with my parents. Those have been lovely, but I wanted to go somewhere just the two of us. So when my Papi found an offer online for a 5 night stay at the Arctic Comfort Hotel including flights, for an amazing price, I just couldn't refuse! Better than the trip to London I was planning for him (which we can do anytime). My beautiful late Nan left me some money when she passed, which was such a lovely surprise for me, and so I wanted to use it towards something memorable. So, she took me to Reykjavik and I'm so grateful.

·

As we were there for 5 days in total, I'm going to split these posts up, to save how lengthy one post could possibly be! - but I thought I'd share some of the things we did throughout our stay, and leave a few links for you incase you'd like to go! Unfortunately, we weren't able to see the Northern Lights due to extreme weather conditions - our trip got cancelled three times! However, that didn't stop us from having a wonderful time. So, I hope you enjoy :)

·

We'd planned three main trips throughout our trip. The first being the 'Golden Circle Tour'. The second being 'The Northern Lights Tour' & the third being the 'South Shore Adventure'.

On our first day, we were both a little out of sorts. We left the UK super early, saw two sunrises, were starving for hours, sleep deprived due to a rubbish nights sleep and were bored of transportation. Everything went seamlessly with getting to Iceland, which I was very thankful for. 

Once we'd checked into the hotel, and got to our room (which was rather spacious!) we didn't really know what to do with ourselves. We knew we were tired and hungry but also knew it was only around midday and we shouldn't sleep and should go out and find some food. 

Basically, we had a snack and managed to nap for a couple of hours - oops! We eventually made it out and walked about 20/25 minutes to a big shopping mall called the Kringlan.

I'd really recommend it if it's easy for you to get to - it's got a really great food court, plenty of wonderful shops and two supermarkets. One budget and the other more high end. 

So we made it, feeling slightly delirious but had some dinner and went to the supermarket to get some supplies for the week! (our room had a fridge!) As I'm coeliac, eating out is generally a nightmare, let alone going to a different country. I thought ahead and took my own loaf of bread for sandwiches! Basically, the whole week I lived off different types of salad, and chips (which did make me a little uncomfortable sometimes). I did do a little research for restaurants with GF options, but we didn't have the most money so it was very difficult on a budget for me to eat the right way. In the high end supermarket, there was a 'health' section complete with a GF/WF section! Woo! Complete with chocolate covered treats for me!

So to end the day, we headed back to the hotel and had some more little snacks and chilled out. We switched on the tv, watched some handball (pretty exciting!) and I had my first Icelandic shower. Lets just say, it STUNK. Not because it's dirty, but because all the water in Reykjavik comes from beneath the volcanoes. It's the purest & cleanest water EVER. But, due to the sulphur in the water, it means that your showers are super stinky. I couldn't get used to it. Then we went to sleep, and boy did we sleep well. I for one, was super comfy.

·

· First day trip - Golden Circle Tour · 

This is the first main stop - Geysir/Strokkur.

Previous to this we went to a tomato farm in where we had a talk by the owner and had a look around his tomato farm. It was pretty incredible, not my cup of tea, but it was good to stretch my legs! 

·

Second main stop - Gulfoss waterfall.

This was incredible! It was so vast and considering the waterfall was falling fast, it was also bizarrely peaceful. It was amazing & I'd love to see it minus the ice and snow too. 

·

Third main stop - a drive through Thingvellir National Park.

It started to get darker by this point and it was a lot colder, but we took a big walk around this area and apparently they shot some of Game of Thrones here, however I wasn't too interested in that. 

It was a very 'mystical' area but very serene. Ravens flying about everywhere! 

·

We then drove back into Reykjavik and got dropped off in the centre of town. We hadn't planned anywhere for dinner (silly mistake). I tried using the bus wifi, but it was very hard to concentrate what with all the stops etc. So we literally walked around for about an hour and a half.. I felt so bad for Alfie as I can hardly eat anything 'convenient' as it usually means it's pizza or pasta. We ended up in a little cafe area where Alfie had a burger and I had a chicken salad. It was an exhausting night and we had to walk the whole way home in the freezing cold, our backs aching and full bellies. However, we'd had a lovely day and were happy to be back in the warmth, handball on, showers to be had, and looking forward to a little lie in the next morning. 

I'm going to leave this post here as there's a lot more to cover from the week. 

These photo's aren't the best quality but in the last post I will be putting up a link to my behance site so that you can see them in better detail & a lot more to see as well. 

Have a lovely weekend! 

Nos da, elfums xo

CONTINUE READING

· Paris, Je t'aime ·

Good evening to you all :) 

I thought I would do just a little post tonight whilst I wait for my dinner to cook! 

Source: Pinterest

I went to London at the beginning of this month *I can't believe it's almost been 2 weeks since I was there..* to see my best friend Paris. I have known Paris for a little over 5 years now, and I've worked with her for most of that time, been lucky enough to have our own flat for a little while and even luckier to know that despite the fact she lives in London, and I'm in Cardiff.. I can still call her my best friend. 

Paris moved to LDN a little while ago to follow her dreams and I am so happy for her!

The only thing is, I don't see her as often as I'd like and it's not always the easiest either. We both work full time and we both have to watch our money! She comes down most weekends, but I leave her be to see her boyfriend Ian as she needs to cherish that time. However, I decided to book a long weekend off work to travel up on the mega bus to see her! I didn't get too many photo's from the weekend as I was too busy enjoying myself but I really truly realised how lucky I am to have a friend like her.

 I didn't have the best of weeks, so it really was a great way to lift my spirits. 

So all I'm trying to say here is, sometimes it doesn't matter where your friends are, if they are that important to you and are true friends, distance doesn't make a difference. 

I am lucky enough to have that :) 

Good night! 

elfums x

CONTINUE READING