· 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!

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· 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

· a product i'd love to love ·

I can't believe it's been almost a month since I last posted on here. Where is the time going? It's just flying by, and I really wish I got myself into a routine of when I post on my blog. In time.

Anyways, I'm on a lazy day off finally (which will probably actually consist of homework, cleaning and pancake making). However, before I get up out of bed eventually, I remembered I wanted to write about a certain skincare product that I have been trying to use over the last month or two. 

The first time I saw this brand was in a Miss Glamorazzi YouTube video. It was in a favourite's video I believe, however the thing that drew me to the product was the name! It's the 'Yes to Cucumber' skincare range. Now, there's quite a few different products and also different varieties of 'Yes To's'. There's the Cucumber, Carrots, Coconut, Tomatoes, Blueberry & Grapefruit range. So when I saw them eventually in Boots, I just had to have a snoop. I didn't have a huge amount of money to spend, but I'd heard Ingrid & also Fleur de Force talk about them by then, so I picked up some of the 'Yes to Cucumber Facial Wipes'. I had it in mind to use them for my lazy nights when I may not have the energy to go through my entire skincare routine. Naughty naughty. 

What I loved about the brand is that they're 98% natural, oil free, hypoallergenic, cruelty free and much more. So I got them home and tested one out..first of all, I love the packaging. Normally with face wipes you get just a plastic flap that never sticks back down and the wipes dry out. These have a click in pouch system which keeps them hydrated! Secondly, they smell AMAZING! So fresh. 

However, as much as I really wanted to love them, my face does not. Generally on my cheeks and forehead, I don't have an issue. But my eyes, and the surrounding area stings so much whilst using them. It's not just a little sting, it's a mega sting! I was so annoyed. My skin is so sensitive anyway, but I thought these might have been quite cooling. I don't want to waste them, so I've started to just use them on my cheek and forehead area, and use a different cleanser for my eye makeup. 

I'm going to maybe try out some other products from the 'Yes To' range as I really like this company and what they're doing - so hopefully some others won't sting my eyes! I'd say if your skin is really sensitive, then maybe steer away from this product in particular. But check this brand out as they are lovely :) I will keep you updated if I try anything else out! 

Have a lovely Tuesday! 

elfums x

CONTINUE READING

· positivity monday ·

· Source ·

Good evening everyone!

I'm sitting in my flat waiting for my dinner to cook after a pretty bizarre day and thought I would write a little post for you to read.

This morning I woke up to my favourite, but then spent the rest of the day with the worst headache and then it proceeded to turn into a migraine. I had to wait a few hours in Alfie's house until it eased, but I had to get home to do some household chores so I had to eventually leave. 

I made it home feeling super queasy and out of it, and then slept for a few hours. 

I was meant to do homework today, but my head just wouldn't let me. 

I'm also having some major flat issues, I can't use my sink or washing machine and it's causing me a whole heap of stress with my agency. 

I then had to wash most of my clothes in my bathroom. 

This then got me thinking. 

As much as I'm so stressed out with my flat, exhausted from work all the time, trying to squeeze in my geography course where possible and I wish I had more money..

I'm extremely lucky. 

I get the luxury of having my own place, I have the best parents/family/friends in the world, and I also have a gorgeous and caring boyfriend. 

I hate complaining about things - there are some people in the world that don't have any of these things, and every time I complain, I feel extremely guilty. 

As the picture states above, focus on the good. 

My parents and Alfie always tell me that it will all get better.

It will. No matter what, it will. 

As much as it feels rubbish now, it will get so much better.

I keep thinking, it's just a blocked drain, it will get fixed *at some point*

I keep thinking, it's just a job, it's letting you live. 

I keep thinking, your course is hard, but it'll pay off in the end. 

I will always stress out, and I will also think negatively, but you have to train your brain otherwise because it will just eat you up. 

It's hard to do, but let positivity win! 

This is just a little rant because my brain wants to. 

I guess this is some sort of advice, and I hope it helps if you're like me! 

Listen to the ones that care about you, and it will get better :) 

Now back to watching the SacconeJoly's!

Hope you all have a lovely week :) 

elfums x

CONTINUE READING