DIY Tie Dye Jar

13.05 in diy, dye, jar, life, new, Paid, stage, tie, update

There has been countless times in the past were I have saved jam jars, or any other glass jar (but mainly jam because I go through it pretty fast...its just delicious!) But more often than not, Ill forget what I wanted to do with them, or just forget I saved them in general. 

But during summer, I had a few pretty good ideas, if I do say so myself, on how I could decorate them and also how I can use them. 

Back home, my stationary already has its place in a money tin that looks like a telephone box, but I wanted something I could use at uni and this DIY, along with 2 more that youll hopefully see in the coming weeks, has got me sorted. Theyd also be great for storing make up brushes!

Im pretty sure you all have some nail varnish lying around your house somewhere. I rarely paint my nails now so mind is just left unused in a drawer, so might as well put it to some use. That my friends is literally all you need (well plus the jar and a brush, but still, it is such a cheap DIY to do).

Of course, you can go for whatever colours you would like - make them match your room, make them bright, make them dark....

You will need:

• Glass jar, washed and dried
• Nail varnishes of choice
• Stiff bristled paint brush (the cheap kids ones work brilliantly) 
• Something to cover your surface 
• Scrap of card

What to do:

1. Prep your jar by washing and removing any labels. I find that letting the jar soak in hot water helps the label peel straight off. But if you are left with the sticky residue, then this trick works.

2. Pour a blob of one nail colour onto the scrap of card then, with the brush start dabbing the jar. I found it was easier to start off with the lightest colour, so that the jar is fully covered.

3. Repeat the pouring and dabbing with each colour, dabbing wherever. To blend the colours, work quickly.

4. Once finished, leave to dry for at least 30 minutes.

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Life Is Not A Chore

15.06 in 1, a, blogging, chore, highlights, is, life, not, of, Paid, year

A while ago I was watching one of my favourite YouTubers vlogs, Cambria (breelovesbeauty), and she mentioned saying I want to or I get to rather than I need to or I have to. That message has been kind of just sat there in my mind for some time and after the many of the clichés that come with the new year, I decided it was time to give it some more thought.

Most people go about their daily lives from task to task saying I need to do this, I need to do that, cant forget Ive got to do the other thing. These phrases make so many things we do seem like a chore; like they are programmed into us. Each morning we all wake up and know there are a set of tasks that are to be accomplished by the end of the day. Many of us follow the same, or at least similar routines, day in day out. Sometimes I feel like I wake up and switch on an auto pilot button and just trudge along throughout the day, slowing making my way through to do lists.

But lets face it, many of the things that are on the list dont get done. Why? Personally, I procrastinate those tasks, simply because Im telling myself I need to do them. And Ive found that when something needs doing, I have to sometimes force myself to do it. Thats not how things should be done, we shouldnt live our life feeling as if we have to force ourselves to do tasks each day! We are all privileged in one way or another - it could simply be that you have a roof over your head and food on the table, or you could have the opportunity of jetting off to every corner of the world. But we all have one amazing thing in common and that is that we are here, living our own wonderful lives. Why should we waste that making so many daily tasks feel like chores?

As I mentioned in my post about time, time goes fast, clock watching only makes you feel more stressed, its up to us as individuals how we spend our time. So why make ourselves feel like programmed robots - waking up, eating, completing (or at least attempting) tasks and going to bed.

I want to change that for myself. Instead of saying I need to go and do some revision, Ill aim to say I want to go a revise. Why? Because I am fortunate enough to have an education and to have the opportunity to carry my education on even after its compulsory, which I am thankful for. Whereas there are others in the world who may have never had the opportunity to attend just one day of school but would love to learn.

Another example could be I want to run some errands for my grandmas rather than I need... because Im helping out family, its not a chore. Hopefully you get the idea.

If youve changed some statements, in your mind, that apply to you and think they sound a little odd, thats fine, Im thinking the same thing about mine. The main reason for that is probably because we arent use to it. But over time Im hoping that will change, that theyll no longer sound odd. Yes, itll be hard to begin with, but if we dont ever make the first step to changing it, it will never become a habit. You almost have to think about it as if youve training yourself to think about tasks in a different way.

Im not saying that you should apply it to everything you do because, of course, there will be things that youre not going to want to do - like cleaning a toilet. But having a more positive attitude towards the other things will definitely outweigh those negatives. 

This was a post I wrote a while back, in February, as a guest post for Laura over on littlelauras. However, the other week I noticed that I wasnt able to get onto her blog. So after getting in touch with her, she said that she is taking a break from blogging and I asked if I could re upload this post on Nimble Note as Im proud of it and dont want it to go to waste.

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New Stage Life Update

10.04 in a, bum, help, i, kick, life, need, new, Paid, stage, the, up, update, your

Its weird to think that in just a few days Ill be packing up the car with most of my belongings and moving just over 2 hours away from home. This time next week Ill be at university.

Growing up, I was never that interested in going to uni, I thought Id just finish college and go straight into a job or apprenticeship so that I could learn whilst doing. But, around March last year, a few months into my AS levels, I started to really enjoy learning about psychology. This then got me thinking about possibly pursuing further education to learn more about it and here I am today with only a few days left before I do pursue it.

But please, dont ask me what I want to do with life, what do I want to do after uni etc because in all honesty, I have no idea. I know that I enjoy studying the subject but have no clue where I want to go with it. Thats OK isnt it? To be honest, I dont even know where Im going with this post, I just wanted to have a bit of a ramble, chatty post. The kind of things I talk to myself about.

Currently, Im feeling a complete array of emotions. Im so frickin excited, but at the same time Im terrified. Im really happy to be moving away and meeting new people, but also sad to be leaving all my many friends (dat sarcasm,). Its weird. And, yes, I know everyone feels the same or, to put it like everyone says, everyone is in the same boat. Can I just say that saying that makes no impact on me at all, it really doesnt help ease the nerves or anything - but hey, thanks for the effort of trying.

Source

Like many others, although Im looking forward to it, Im also worried about the whole meeting new people, making new friends thing. Im quite quiet. Shy. Introverted. I like having those one or two people around, you know, that certain friend or two who you, in social situations, make you feel more comfortable and you can fall back on them to have a conversation with so you dont look awkward. Ive named them the social rock friend. (Friend, you probably know who you are, if you happen to be reading this then shout out to you. Thanks for being my social rock).

However, I wont have anyone I know around which is both and good and bad thing. Its bad because there is the risk of me staying in my shell. But on the other hand, its good because Ill be forced not to rely on others in situations and be my own social rock (I just wont be able to have conversations with myself, as that would be weird whilst around new people).

So, yeah, meeting new people will be a thing, but also Ill be living with people - which I feel like will get some getting use to. Thankfully, I have a room to myself, I genuinely dont know how Id cope if I had to share with someone because I need alone time. Seriously, if I was around people almost 24/7, I think Id break after, at the very least, 3 days! 

There is only one other girl Im aware of that Ill be living with, the others either arent in the facebook group or have seen me and been like oh dear, I think Ill see if I can change flats. 

But one thing I am wondering is what the whole kitchen situation will be like. Im probably going to sound quite selfish saying this, but I can get a little possessive of any belongs - even food and drinks. And currently, Im not really feeling the whole sharing, communal living thing. Who knows, my flatmates might feel the same way, or they could want to share everything. Ill be fine! As I keep telling myself.

Of course, I have to mention that Im looking forward to focusing on just one subject that I enjoy, you know how it is blah blah blah. But I just dont know what to expect with the workload and everything. Also, not really concentrating or learning for like 3 months (I know thats nothing for those who have taken gap years) feels very odd, I feel in some sort of hovering stage. Im guessing itll take me a good few weeks to get back into the swing of things.

Okay, I think Ive rambled enough. Im just going to leave you with a nice cheesy quote about new beginnings. 

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Life Feeling Trapped Unlike Others

11.51 in 6, feeling, how, life, method, others, Paid, revise, step, to, trapped, unlike

Everybody struggles with negative periods in their lives, they are something we all go through...sadly. Whether it be stress from exams or work, or something as huge as the death of a close one, it can feel as though we are trapped in a box and locked away from positivity.

A few months ago, I wrote a blog post (well technically, I scribbled it in a notebook and I even drew a little diagram) one night at about 12am. I did consider typing it up a few days later and sharing it but, I felt slightly apprehensive about it as I was being pessimistic and preferably Id like to try and keep away from sharing negative content. But, then I came across it the other day and thought what the hell Im going to share it. Why? Well, I feel as though things have changed since writing it and it made me realise that life is full of ups and downs. Just because it feels like you are stuck in a negative period, for what feels like forever, there is always something good coming.

A few months ago....

At the moment, Im feeling in a bit of void. I feel as though Im just plodding through life. I cant imagine much of an exciting future that will be any different from the way my life is right now - which is basically just a continuous cycle of learning (at the moment college and then possibly uni), spending countless hours on my laptop, eating, sleeping and repeating.

Its not as if I dont try to do things, but it just seems that wherever/whatever I do, I just come to locked doors. For example, I have been trying to get a simple part time job for 2 years. When I look around me, I see people my age quitting a job one week and having another the next, or simply getting a job through someone their parents know. Yes, I did get a paper round for a few months but that was only once a week and wasnt much. I am grateful that I had at least something so that I could put money towards things Id like and stop relying on my parents as much - but with around £5 a week thats pretty difficult to do. 

It would be nice to add a little bit of socialising into the cycle, but not only do I have only a small group of friends, they all have their friends outside of college. To add to this, Im not the most sociable of people. Dont get me wrong, I love spending time with friends, but when Im introduced to new people I crawl back into my shell as I find it so scary (this is literally what my first blog post was about). Thats why I enjoy blogging, as I can share content and connect with people in an environment Im comfortable with.

Combining the above two with the prospect of uni this year terrifies me. I will have to meet a bunch of new people and, although Im doing a subject I enjoy learning about, narrowing my studying down to just one subject panics me because it feels like Im making a big commitment. To top that off, I have no clue what I want to do after uni ( I thought I did, and I still like the idea of that something, but Im not sure). I understand that this is a common thing amongst so many people. But it would be great if you have opinions, advice etc to give on this as sometimes its nice to hear what others have to say - as it can help or give a different perspective.

There is a whole list of things I would love to do/achieve and it would be brilliant if I can start unlocking doors (I know its a cheesy way of putting it but its the best way I can think of explaining it).

Everything is better with a diagram - am I right? Basically, what Im trying to say is there are doors leading onto to things I would like to gain/do in life but I cant open them doors. But I feel that gradually the people around me, the people I watch on Youtube or the individuals blogs I read, are opening more of their doors.

Reading this back over has actually made me smile as things have started to change. Its great to be able to look back and see that right around the corner, from when I wrote this, things where going to start looking up. Im not saying, by any means, that Im now living life my perfect way. Nope. Nobodys life can ever be perfect, in my opinion. Yes, sometimes it seems like some individuals live a perfect life, especially bloggers and Youtubers, but everyone is dealing with something even if it is just a minutiae thing. Some have even spoken about it themselves, for example Zoella.

I think one of the main messages Im trying to get through in this post is - dont compare yourself to others and it is important to remember that things effect each of us differently; something that might seem petty to you, may be a huge stressor for someone else.

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Stewed Rhubarb Porridge

22.19 in a, chore, is, life, not, Paid, porridge, rhubarb, stewed

The peace and quiet Ive had every week day for the past 3 weeks has been bliss! Ive been able to get up and drink my tea whilst my brothers are heading out the door for school, then I had the time to spend in the kitchen making a delicious, non rushed breakfast - without anyone getting in the way. 

I got the chance to play around with a few different combinations for porridge; along with making delicious smoothie bowls and nice cream. Rhubarb is often a fruit I forget about, I mean I love a good rhubarb crumble, but its not the type of fruit I would nip to the shop specifically to get. But, when I saw it in Lidl the other week I picked some up. 

Of course I made some crumble and I also made my rhubarb samosas, but I ended up with a bit left over so made it into my breakfast one morning. I loved it! I love the tartness of the fruit as its different from having a sweet porridge. But, as rhubarb and strawberries go so well together, I through a few in which helped give it a little sweetness too. And as both fruits are in season at the moment, they taste their absolute best! 

On a less exciting note, my brothers have now broken up for summer. Which means I wont be able to every being home alone all day. But it aint going to stop me making delicious breakfasts each morning - because breakfast is just the best! If you havent guessed by now, especially from my instagram (shameless plug), breakfast is my favourite meal of the day.

Ingredients  

• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup water*
• 1/2 cup non diary milk*
• 1/2 cup rhubarb, chopped
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/2 - 1 tsp brown sugar (to taste)
• A few strawberries

 * more may be needed

Directions

1. Add the rhubarb, water, ginger and sugar to a pan and simmer on a medium heat till the rhubarb has softened,

2. Add in the oats and milk then mix well. Still on a medium heat, allow the porridge to cook - adding in extra milk or water if needed.

3. Stir in chopped strawberries and serve.

 Printable Recipe Card

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What I Ate Today

19.57 in ate, feeling, i, life, others, Paid, today, trapped, unlike, what

I have a confession to make .... Im obsessed with watching What I Eat In A Day videos on YouTube. I seriously cannot stop! The watch later button keeps getting pressed on almost every video that pops in the what to watch section and suggested videos, and along with other videos I watch, I think my watch list now ranks up to about 80 videos. I am slowly getting through them, but then I add more. This then results in me not doing anything that productive.

As I love watching the videos, I thought Id do something similar myself. Possibly even make it a regular thing. Although, I must say that I am one of those people who can eat the same meals for like 4 days in a row. But hey, if you enjoy it, why not eat it as much as you want.

It would probably be helpful if you knew about my diet. No, Im not ON a diet, its just MY diet ( hopefully you understand what Im getting at, its just sometimes when you say the word diet, people automatically associate it with restriction, losing weight etc). I went vegetarian round about the end of March. However, long before this, I came across veganism and I was really interested in it and the fact that people are thriving of fruits, veg etc. Although I was really interested in it, I found it a bit overwhelming when I considered turning vegan. What I mean is, when youve grown up being told to eat that piece of meat to make you big and strong and you need to drink your milk otherwise youll have weak bones and terrible teeth etc, finding that there are so many people have amazing health, energy, great skin and hair and so on feels like a bit of a shock. 

After a while of watching people along the likes of Essena Oneill and Bonny Rebecca and following vegan instagramers like superfoodsioban, plantbasedjudy and carolinejuliab, I discovered the ethical side to veganism. Im not going to go too much into it because Im not someone who is filled with a bunch of facts.

So anyway...Im not going to class myself as 100% vegan (yet) because I do sometimes end up in the treat cupboady - which my mum really should stop keeping so stocked up! But overall, I think for the past month I have been eating about 95% plant based. Since doing so, my energy levels have increased quite a lot (but, yes, I still get tired when I stay up to late on YouTube or netflix). Im also doing research into skin care, hair and beauty products which are cruelty free and hopefully contain nothing derived from animals; so that when what I have now is used up, which isnt vegan, can go.

Breakfast

I always start the day by drinking lemon tea - half a lemon squeezed into some warm water. Perfect way to start the day.

Due to the brilliant weather the UK has been having (please stay this way so we can actually have a summer), I decided to finally try out banana ice cream. Oh my goodness! If you havent tried it already, do it! I simply froze 3 ripe bananas overnight then blended them together in the morning - so simple, but so good! I topped this bowl with rawnola and strawberries (because they are amazing at this time of year, plus because of Wimbolden in which my grandma is glued to every year).

Dinner

For dinner I made pasta with meatballs - which I made a few nights before. The recipe I used was by plantbasedjudy - theyre delicious! I also realised, by the time Id heated the meatballs and cooked the pasta, we had run out of passata. So I ended up making the pasta sauce from fresh chopped tomatoes and just mushing them a bit - but it was still very good.

Tea

This meal was one of those what veg can I find in the fridge, lets throw it all into the pan kinda meals - which I do fairly often to be honest. I also went out that afternoon to pick up some passata (because staple!). It ended up being a chilli and was delicious. 

Snack

Before bed I like to enjoy a nice cup of tea and usually something to eat. So here Im having some homemade banana bread.

P.s - This isnt actually what I ate today, but what I ate on Wednesday. 

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