I was unashamedly obsessed with the idea of romance from being very young. I can remember dancing around the kitchen to “You Can’t Hurry Love” as a young teen. (Seriously, what 14-year-old owns their own copy of the album ‘Love and Life – The Very Best of Diana Ross’?)  I watched rom-com after rom-com, romantic movie after romantic movie growing up. My book shelves were filled with teen romance novels.

I’m still a bit of a romantic today and with Valentine’s Day almost upon us, I find myself wondering if I’ll get any flowers this year…

I know some people loathe the day and others love it regardless of their relationship status. The mushiness of the day either makes your skin crawl or has you squealing with delight.

But, whether you’re single, in a relationship, or somewhere in between, I bet you can look back and have a laugh at how love and romance played out in your teen years. Whether you had a secret crush, a childhood sweetheart, or you were a friend’s wingman or woman, I hope the following cringe-worthy memories of my school days give you a good giggle and get you reminiscing about your own!

Read more

I’ve lost count of the number of people that have told me that they’re finding this lockdown the hardest and I’ve seen endless social media posts expressing the same struggle. Everyone seems fed up. With the vaccination programme now well and truly off the ground you’d think we would all be feeling a bit more hopeful.

Yes, we are in lockdown, but shouldn’t we be taking comfort in the fact that we are so much closer to a taste of normality than we have ever been before? We get to see visible proof of progression now with images and footage of people having the jab all over the news daily. Why then do we feel so despondent?

This low mood we collectively seem to be experiencing has been likened to the ‘third-quarter phenomenon.’

Read more

Hold on to your hats people, I’ve been cooking. And not my usual style of cooking which generally involves hotting things up. Proper cooking. This is the same girl that wrote a post a few years back titled, “Why I Hate Cooking.”

My idea to try a week of cooking came partly from being bored of eating the same things every week and partly from being desperate for a new activity to keep myself occupied during lockdown.

I don’t think I’m ready for MasterChef just yet but as someone who never really cooks, I’m feeling proud of myself after this week’s efforts. See what you think…

Read more

Isn’t it funny how when you’re growing up you can’t wait to be older and then when you do get older you get all nostalgic over being younger?

30 feels like a milestone. 20-year-olds are often aghast at the thought of turning 30 while those in their 40’s and above can’t wait to say, “Just you wait! I wish I was turning 30!”

But there is a definite and noticeable shift between your 20’s and your 30’s. Perhaps incomprehensible for those under 30 and perhaps forgotten by those of an older age. When you’re in your 30’s though, you feel it. 30 feels like a real coming of age moment. You’re still the same fun person you always were but you think a little differently, act a little differently and your life is most probably a little different.

At one time you were 13 going on 30. Now, you’re actually a thirty something. Here are 13 signs you’re in your 30’s.

Read more

There are many activities that have become very popular with people wanting to keep themselves occupied during lockdown.

While I jumped on board with taking part in PE with Joe and zoom quizzes, there are other lockdown pursuits I have avoided at all costs.

Even now, when we are currently stuck in a THIRD lockdown, I still won’t entertain doing the following…  

Read more

A third lockdown? No, you’re not dreaming and yes, we are in 2021. 

I had anticipated this as I’m sure many of you did. That being said, it didn’t seem to make it any less of a bitter pill to swallow. I don’t know about you but somehow the last lockdown in November, a mere 4 weeks, seemed almost harder than the first looong ‘stay home’ period.

In the first lockdown we enjoyed some beautiful weather which really helped keep my spirits up. The same cannot be said about the second which was full of miserable, dark and wet days. I felt so much more drained as the time I spent indoors increased. To hear the news of a third one in winter time with no set end date, I found myself a little apprehensive of the weeks that lie ahead.

If I wanted to avoid that tired, sluggish feeling of November, I knew I would have to make some changes. Here’s what I’ve decided to do to ensure a happy me in lockdown no. three.

Read more

Ooh there’s been some strong contenders over the years for my best ever Christmas present!

Before I reveal which gift I’ve decided beats all the rest and why, let me talk you through those that came close to the number one spot…

Read more

We all have our own quirky Christmas traditions which we stick to every year without fail.

My family has some funny festive formalities.

Here are my favourites…

Read more

I think it’s fair to say that most people will not look back on 2020 very fondly. That might be an understatement!

There seems to be an eagerness to get to 2021 and blot out 2020 from our minds as best we can.

This year has felt like a bit of a write off so it’s easy to forget about all the positives that have come out of it.

I know that a negative mindset certainly doesn’t do me any favours! 

For my own wellbeing, I challenged myself to think of 20 things I’m grateful for this year. It was a lot easier than I initially thought it would be.

Here is my 2020 gratitude list. Writing it reminded me of how fortunate I am.

Read more

With classes off again for the time being, I thought it would be nice to dedicate a blog post to their importance.

Here’s a little poem written by me. I hope you like it!

Read more