Twelve Memorable Moments: April Part One

April was an eventful month and a successful one at that.

The month started off with a basketball match my friend Jodie booked us to go see. Why a basketball match I hear you ask? Well, when your friend is on the hunt for some athletic, super tall men then it's a pretty good place to start.

I am up for anything at the moment, trying new things is at the core to this New Years Resolution so I was happy to go along and witness a sport I think is rather cool and never seen before. I won't lie, I think I was expecting hot dogs, popcorn, cheerleaders, bright lights in a  big stadium.

A local gym in the hood of Solihul didn't quite make the cut but some rowdy northern fans made it...colourful to say the least.

So we sat down to watch the Birmingham Knights (our supporting team) VS the Newcastle Eagles.

Tall men were definitely not far in sight, cheerleaders they were in UK form, popcorn and hotdogs? Dammit, nowhere!

I was a bit disappointed with the lack of team spirit from our Birmingham Knights supporters, the Newcastle Eagles definitely put us to shame with their drums, horns and chants but as the game went on, we definitely got into it.

There was a some game play tension and a cute half time where the kids in the audience got to shoot some hoops to win their own basketball.

The boys did well but unfortunately lost overall 71-87 but the game was fun and I would definitely go again. I wish I could tell you some more technical commentary but my basketball vocabulary is pretty limited.

I would LOVE to see a proper American Basketball match, I can imagine the atmosphere is electric! For a UK game I think it was great fun and definitely an experience I won't forget and I recommend anyone to go along and support their own local team.

Twelve memorable moments: March

Ok, so I may have pulled a fast one here and cheated a teeny, tiny bit. I didn't actually do this in March. Actually, I am still yet to do it. But I organised it, that can count right?

Truth is, this March I just felt stuck which month three isn't a good sign but I was just so busy I didn't know where to turn. But, low and behold the bargain hunter struck again with Groupon. After Februarys Spa deal I felt more comfortable in trusting these sites so I went in positive and motivated.

I stumbled across a make up course deal for £38, a beautiful 80% discount from the original price of £190. The workshop is with Make Up London Academy and this ladies (and gents) is my memorable moment for March. Make Up Class.

Image courtesy of Make-up London Academy 

When starting my bucket list for 2014 I had a make up course at the top. I really envy people with flawless make up and those who can master the smokey eye or eyeliner flick. Those who understand the difference between primer, foundation and what brush to use or definitely not to. When looking into the courses they were way above my price bracket but I wanted to get some sort of qualification out of it.

When this deal with Make Up London Academy came up it seemed pretty perfect. Three hours at a reasonable rate to get me to test out whether this is something I would like to pursue and invest in a more respected course.

I don't know much about the school apart from it is based between Caledonian Road and Kentish Town, Camden. Being brutally honest, the website isn't very slick and doesn't give me the impression it is anything too serious. But, as they say, don't judge a book by its cover.

The company says 'MLA was founded to bring excelled to the make-up education, by teaching the best make-up techniques in a fun and simple way.' 

Sounds cheap and cheerful and worth a go right?

The workshop is a simple and basic introduction to make up which is something I am up for; I'm not going to pretend I'm a genius with the paint brush, I can apply my make up in the morning and lets be honest, thats it.

I am set up to be introduced to skin care preparation, the perfect base, techniques to long lasting make up. Day and evening looks will be explored,  trends of the season and false eyelash exploration. I will get to use MAC and Bobbi Brown products with some complimentary MAC products to take away (YAY!) Personally, I'd love to nail the smoky eye look so hopefully this is something I can try out with them. The workshop consists of one hour tutorial with two hour to practice.

So, I didn't do it in March but its what I did that lets face it, I probably was too lazy and complacent to not do before. It's an accomplishment and I promise, I will make sure the month I do it in, I'll do something else to.

Until then, stay posted.

Twelve memorable moments: February

Image from Puma Hotels

So month two and I was going strong with my ideas. It was my mums birthday and I decided to seize the opportunity to do something different, something memorable. I wasn't quite ready for my sky dive but some beauty therapy couldn't go a miss..

Believe it or not but I have never been on a Spa day before. Yes, really. I've gone and had a tan, my nails done but not a proper Spa treatment. So, to celebrate my Mums birthday in style we decided to pamper ourselves.

We found a deal on Travel Zoo, a holiday and mini break deal site. I haven't ever brought anything off these sites before but thought we should give it ago when it was £29pp for access to a spa, treatment and afternoon tea. Being all optimistic we felt there wasn't much to loose.

A nice drive to the Cotswold and we arrived at the country hotel, The Lygon Arms. On arrival to the Spa we were offered our towels and slippers and told that disappointingly no other treatments were available than our pre book massage. Expecting this, we weren't completely disheartened and took into consideration the price we had paid is what we were going to get. We remained positive and ordered a glass of presseco which we drank in a seating area at the top of some spiral staircase (no drinks by the pool).

The pool area wasn't massive; there was limited seating (in which someone removed our towels whilst we were up in the seating area) and the pool was basic. It would have been nice to have some atmospheric music as it did feel like our conversations were clearly heard to everyone else but it was nice enough.

We were approached regarding some last minute facials which after about an hour we were told the beautician had gone home... great.

Stay positive....

The massage we had pre booked was amazing - just what the doctor ordered. Atmospheric music, a full briefing I really needed it. Starting light to firm to begin with I found it hard to adjust and found myself twinging when my pressure points were touched but it was definitely needed and with my tense muscles.

After a bit more relaxing we got dressed and moved across to the hotel bar for our afternoon tea. This was definitely the highlight.

We were served a selection of finger sandwiches and desserts on a plate - ham, cucumber, smoked salmon. Victoria sponge cake, mango dessert and a pot of tea and I was sold.

Overall I think for the value, it was a great deal and a lovely day out which lead to wondering between the country stores in the cotswolds (lots of Cath Kidson and Barbour).

I would definitely recommend using the deals especially if you want to try something different and are short on the cash. One thing I would say is not to go with too many expectations and enjoy it for what it is.

Twelve memorable moments - Take one - January

So I'm a bit late with the uploading but here is Januarys memorable moment... Firstly, for those who cannot be bothered to click all the way over to Twelve memorable moment of 2014 page here is the update...

 I decided to do a sort of bucket list for the year 2014. One thing a month that I haven't done before, that is memorable or can be classed as an achievement. I want to end the year with 12 key things to be proud about, to look back at as deafeningly happy moments.

So the first month. Ah the world is my oyster! (sorry I love that phrase) What could I possibly do?

Well I feel now maybe I exhausted myself early but either way, Im so chuffed. Ok, Im 23 and a complete virgin. Nope, I'm not talking about the birds and the bees, that definitely isn't your business. Im talking piercings. Sharp needles, holes in weird places.

Until January 2014 I have been metal, pierced, needle free. Not out of fear or protest, to be honest.... complete laziness. I begged my mum for years in primary school to get some glitzy studs but she told me I had to wait till I was a big girl....until senior school. I guess by then the novelty wore off and I 'CBA' as I probably said back then (ok, you got me, I still say it now). I just never was really bothered and I think I had a little fear of being the 1/100 people that get their earing caught on something and suffering a long, painful death of some sort.

So January 2014 came and I thought...YOLO. Yup, sorry, I really did.

And did I good. BOOYAH, two piercings. Yup, not one, two people! Check out the bad boys.

So for those still with me and want the story...one wonderful Saturday I casually asked the good people of Facebook to recommend the best piercing palour in town and I can say, they chose good. I went straight to the place of choice (a suspicious tattoo shop down a side street at the bottom of town) with my mum. Yes, Im so rock and roll.

I'll give it to the guy. He waited a good 3 minutes before questioning the inevitable... Why so long? Why now? And in cool, casual tone I replied 'Why not brother?' (Ok, not brother but you get the jist).

And within a few squinting minutes later, tadah! Hey presto. I am now, pierced! Not going to lie, it felt quite liberating for a small country girl like myself. The adrenaline was pretty fun, which I think now worries my poor mother after being left for too long alone amongst the beef men tattooing only god knows what.

But I did it, I achieved what seemed the unachievable. Dreams really do  come true people....

New Year, New Me....sort of!

Happy New Year Bloggers!

I know, I know, it has been a while. Truth has it, a lot of changes have happened in the last few months for me. I won't go into them as they are pretty personal but I am hoping they are going to make me a better, stronger and more determined person.

So it's a New Year and with the sore headaches and hangovers comes with that 'starting afresh' feeling. I love it how we all feel that beginning January 1st all our old problems will disappear, we will become new people with new attitudes and new lives. Truth is sadly its going to take more than 24 hours to kick those old habits, personal traits and cobwebs we have carried for so long.

But, there is no hard trying right? I've got a whole year to work on it? Despite the naivety of New Year I quite like the sense of setting new goals and turning the negative parts of my life around. I am trying not to be too unrealistic this year and settled for these....

1. Write one thing that has made me happy every day for the whole year.  - Ok, so this sounds like I have been a bit depressed but really I just noticed how negative I have been recently. I am extremely lucky and need to start focusing on the positive parts of my life and stop dwelling on the insignificant blues day to day life brings. Even if its having lunch with a friend, finishing a job application, there are plenty of things to be happy about and so far it has really lifted my spirits.

New Year with my best friend was a great start to my happy list. - Excuse the blonde haired photo spoiler in the background *sigh*

2.To go travelling, even if its for a month. - Since going travelling when I was 17 for 4 weeks I have been wanting to get back out into the big wide world. For one reason or another I have been putting it off but this year, is now my year. I don't want to be too ambitious and plan six months or a year round trip as one big lesson I have learnt is, no one knows what the future holds but even if I go out and work on a project for 3 weeks at some point this year I know I will feel I really have accomplished a dream of mine.

Helping a Cambodia school when I went travelling in 2007 with World Challenge

3 To get a job - Now this is something I can't completely control but I am determined to get my butt into gear, get out there and find my dream job. No more part time jobs or unpaid intern stints, I am a fully fledged graduate with 5 months work experience under my belt, an adult and I need to take control of my life! (You go girl!)

Graduating November 2012 - No longer a student, time to get a job!

I think I am going to keep it to the magic three. Of course I'd love to get fit this year, focus on my eating habits and work on making my blog a success but really, after all the things that have been happening recently, I just want to feel me again. Thinking about it, these three things are me; I have always been a career driven, happy person who wants to explore the world. I started to get really uptight, stressed and I feel I lost sight of my future and goals which ended up making me feel quite down. Excuse the cheesiness but I have realised life really is too short and its time to start living.

I hope you all welcomed 2013 with good spirits. What are your New Years resolutions?

xx