Life is beautiful...an update

You may have noticed that I have been a bit absent over the last few days.  Well a combination of a family wedding and a terrible cold have rather wiped me out.  I am on the mend now but have come to a decision regarding my 'life is beautiful' posts.

Doing them every single day has started to feel to restrictive, especially as I am now back at university and often don't get home until quite late.  Instead every weekend I will post about the things that have made my week beautiful.  I am hoping this will reignite my passion for this project.

Life is beautiful because...of hair changes

I am heading of this weekend to my cousin's wedding.  As such I will be expected to behave and look a certain way around my family (read aunts, uncles and most importantly grandparents).  Therefor I said goodbye to my much loved ombred hair and dyed it back to its original brown.  I didn't want to but I did it, I was convinced I would find it boring and that it wouldn't feel like 'me'.

Thankfully I was wrong.  I love it, not more or less than the ombre; exactly the same.  It makes my hair look a lot longer and makes me feel a little bit darker.  I think I will definitely be getting into more autumnal makeup now.  Tomorrow will definitely feature black eyeliner and berry stained lips.  It always amazes me how something as simple as changing the colour of your hiar can make you feel so different.

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of puddles

Today it rained, not just a little bit, a lot.  Luckily I had my beautiful Ella Doran umbrella (which you can see in this haul post) which kept me nice and dry.  Except for my feet.  My feet were soaked through because despite my age and the fact that I should know better I cannot stop myself from jumping in puddles.

The horrible squelchy feeling that I had to suffer all the way home wasn't enough to put me off.  I wonder if jumping in puddles will ever lose its wonderful rebelliousness.  Though if i'm honest, I highly doubt it.

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of unexpected kindnesses

Today I was picked up from the train station by my rather lovely sister which meant I didn't have to walk home in the rain.  Although she was already doing me a massive favour she had also stopped by the shops to get me something to eat as she, correctly, guessed that I wouldn't have had time to eat at university.  What an angel.

These unexpected moments of kindness really do remind me of the fact that the world is full of wonderful people.  I think I need to take a leaf out of her book and try to catch someone by surprise with my own little acts of kindness.

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of random knowledge

I may have mentioned before that me and my friends are regulars at out local pub's Monday night quiz.  I have now been going almost every week for three months.  Our team have never won in this time (although we came second by half a point once - very frustrating).  We didn't win tonight either, however each member of our team managed to answer their own 'oooh I know this question'.  We all have them but I rarely remember the correct answer in time.  Tonight the question which would have haunted me was: 'Who was the merchant in Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice?'*.  I know it seems silly but all of us were really pleased with ourselves despite only coming fourth.  Sometimes it is the random information you collect over a lifetime that gives you the most joy.


*It was Antonio if you were wondering

What has been making you happy today?'

Life is beautiful because...of unexpected fun

Last night a friend invited me and the rest of our group to a charity barn dance that her family were partially involved in organizing.  She begged us to come so that she could be saved from a night of having her parents' friends asking her questions about her love life.  As tempted as we were to make her suffer through that we all agreed to go.

So we donned our best cowgirl gear and prepared for a not so wild Saturday night out.  My friend  apologized profusely the entire journey there for the boring night that she had inflicted upon us.   However when we got there we were all pleasantly surprised by what a nice time we had.  There was dancing, a raffle, burgers and cow print balloons.

On the way how we all marveled at how much fun we had had.  I'm sure it is all a matter of expectations but I sometimes find that the best nights out aren't the ones you expect.

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of rekindled friendships

Today I met up with someone who I have barely spoken to in a few months.  At one time we were best friends but time and certain disagreements meant that we drifted apart.  Before we both finished university we had been making the effort to get back in touch yet when we were both in the same area we didn't speak or see each other.

Then on Monday she text me out of the blue asking if I wanted to catch up.  It turns out she thought I was avoiding her and I had thought she was avoiding me.  Once that little misunderstanding had been cleared up everything got a bit easier.  We ended up chatting about everything and nothing for over five hours and it reminded me of how we were when we were teenagers.  I am so glad that she text me that day and that I have the opportunity to have her in my life again.

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of comfy sofas

Today me and a friend went to Costa for a drink and a catch up.  Now I am often mocked for the fact that I don't drink caffeine* so whenever I am catching with a friend Costa is my coffee shop of choice due to their amazing iced drinks.  I have been known to order these on snow days (much to the amusement of the boy behind the counter).  Today I went for the vanilla cooler which is basically an iced version or a milkshake.  Delicious though I did get the dreaded brain freeze a few times.  Inside the shop they have the kind of leather sofas that almost swallow you up.  We sat all snuggled into the sofa drinking our drinks and having a good natter until we realized that everyone else had left and that the staff were probably hoping to close up soon.  I often find that a comfy sofa helps me to relax, that combined with a friendly face helped me let go of some of the stress I have been feeling and make a few big decisions that needed deciding.

*This isn't a health thing.  I just don't like tea or coffee and therefore caffeine in energy drinks or fizzy drinks effects me in a big way.  It is for the sanity of everyone around me that I try to steer clear.

Life is beautiful because...of laughter

Today I was told by one of my lecturers that when we laugh we release serotonin.  This serotonin then helps us learn better.  The moral of their story was therefore that we should laugh at the beginning of lectures.  She followed this up by showing us a selection of youtube videos which and no link to what we were studying but did make us laugh.  i'm not sure if it made me learn better but it certainly made the lecture more enjoyable and I am looking forward to seeing what the next installment will be.

I was also raising mys serotonin levels when I saw friends this evening.  I often find that the best night are the ones where there is a laid back atmosphere, a bottle of wine and some of my very best friends.  At times I thought I would stop breathing I was laughing so much and to think it all started with a little text.  'Who fancies grabbing a drink tonight?'

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of sneaky dancing

Now that I am back at university I have a horrifyingly long commute of 3 hours each way.  Of this 1 hour is spent walking, 10 minutes is spent on a train, 40 minutes are spent waiting for trains/buses and 1 hour and 10 minutes are spent on a bus.

Overall its a little be horrendous and involves me getting up at 5.50 just to make it to my 9am lectures.  however there are some positives.

1. It is a huge motivation to start learning to drive again (I had a little ankle mishap and even though it is now, 4 months later, healed I am a little bit anxious)
2. It is one of those love to hate things, like a Disney villain.
3. It gives me time to read my notes or do seminar prep
4. I get to listen to music and have secret bus discos

Number for is obviously the best part of my daily 6 hours of travel.  Today on the way home I was sat at the back of the bus (like a rebel) and having a wonderful little dance to some of my favourite songs. All the other passengers were looking forward and as such had no idea of the fun I was having, which meant it only delighted me more.  It made me feel as though I was getting away with something that I shouldn't be doing.   Another bonus was that it meant I could, quite literally, shake off the energy that I had accumulated through a day of sitting quietly listening to lectures.

Do you have anything you like to get away with?

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of first days

There is something simultaneously both exciting and terrifying about first days.  Today was my first day at my new university and I spent most of the 2 hour bus journey there worrying about things.  Did I have everything I needed?  Did I look ok?  Did I remember to lock the front door?  Will the other students be friendly?

As horrible as it is to spend time worrying it just made me that much happier when I realized that everything was ok and that I had the answers to those questions that were bothering me.

Did I have everything I needed?
Yes and more.  (sunglasses and umbrella anyone?)

 Did I look ok?
I looked fine, not amazing, but that isn't really what university is about anyway.

Did I remember to lock the front door?
Yes, thankfully.  I never usually worry about this but yet today of all days it popped into my head - typical.

 Will the other students be friendly?
Of course they were.  I went and had lunch with four other students and they were all really lovely.  One girl in particular I really clicked with and we spent a lot of time giggling in between lectures.

In a nut shell that is why I love first days so much.  That moment when the worry gives way and you realize you are at the beginning of a really exciting time in your life.  There isn't much else that gives you that feeling.

Life is beautiful because...of coziness

I woke up this morning feeling rather under the weather so in a very Jane Austen way 'took to the bed'.  So far the list of things that have been keeping me cozy today includes:

• A Slanket 
• My duvet
• My quilt
• My Ermintrude hot water bottle
• An oversized jumper
• A university hoodie

I am going to a friends house this evening for her birthday and we have been told to bring warm clothes.  If i'm honest I am tempted to take:

• A Slanket 
• My duvet
• My quilt
• My Ermintrude hot water bottle
• An oversized jumper
• A university hoodie

I just love that feeling of being cocooned and cozy in bed.  It almost makes being ill worth it.  Almost, but not quite.

Life is beautiful because...of old friends

Today I had a lovely surprise phone call from an old friend who I haven't spoken to in quite a while.  Its terrible but sometimes life just gets in the way and things you mean to do get pushed to the back of a seemingly endless to do list.

We spoke for almost an hour and it was genuinely wonderful although it did remind me how much I miss her.  To be friends with someone for over 12 years is somewhat impressive but the fact that we still get along as well as we did when we met is something I am truly proud of.

Life is beautiful because...of the X Factor

I am having a lovely relaxing weekend.  I decided to take it easy and prepare myself for my first day oat a new university on Monday.  I have a million and one things to do and only a finite amount of time in which to get it done.

Here is a sample of my 'to do list' -

• deep conditioning hair treatment
• paint nails (and toes)
• face mask
• exfoliate and tan my, still horrifically pale, legs
• make and use a sugar lip scrub
• buy food for my pack lunches
• get all the stationary I will need.
• pack my bag
• print out bus timetables
• do laundry 
• pick a first day outfit
• have a nervous freak out

Even though I have a lot to do I am trying to enjoy my last weekend before all the hard work starts so I am watching the X factor in my pajamas and I am contemplating going to rummage in the freezer for some ice-cream.  

I have been really enjoying the X-Factor this year, although I much prefer the guest judges to Nicole Scherzinger.  My favourite moment so far was watching Gary Barlow literally running away from a particularly bad act.  You can see it here, I am sure that tonight's episode won't be quite as eventful but I am still hoping for some good entertainment.

Life is beautiful because...you can make it that way

Part of doing this 'Life is beautiful' series is to remind  myself of the everyday things which make he happy that often go unnoticed or are forgotten about.  I worry that I sometimes take my happiness for granted.  I am a very lucky person.  I have wonderful friends, a truly supportive family and am about to train for a career that I love.

I have had tough times in my life and I have days where I don't feel particularly happy but thankfully they are in the minority.  I am known amongst my friends as being upbeat and optimistic and I feel it partly due to my decision to be so.

Obviously not everything is within my control but the things that I can control I do so that they make me happy.  I don't spend time with people I don't get on with, I speak to my family often, I have hobbies (such as this blog) which I enjoy and I try to give myself 'me' time where I can.

Today on youtube I noticed that the beautiful Tanya Burr of pixi2woo (one of my favourite youtubers)  uploaded a video with her own 10 Ways To Feel Happier.  I think it is important that when discussing makeup and beauty related products we remember that true beauty comes from within and that can come from being a happy person.

What things do you do to stay positive?

Life is beautiful because...of helping hands

I am starting a new university course in less than 4 day.  Eek!  As preparation I have been talking to people that have also taken the course in the past.  One of whom I didn't really know.  However she was so wonderful and helpful.  She sat with me for ages giving me loads of lovely hints and tips that I will definitely be using.

She really didn't need to be as friendly and helpful as she was but I cannot fully express how grateful I am that she took time out of her day to give me advice.  Today has been one of those days that reminds me how great people can be.

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of crazy dancing

Have you ever heard the old saying ''Dance like no one is watching''. Well dancing when no one is around is one of my favourite things to do.  I love dancing in general and am always dragging my friends onto the dance floor.  Yet there is no greater pleasure than being in my room, dancing around whilst I am getting ready in the morning.

Today' dance track of choice was the wonderfully weird 'Bom Bom' by Sam and the Womp.  It is better than any coffee or tea for waking me and it gave me a really postive outlook on the day.

What is your favourite song to dance to?

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of books

I have spent a large chunk of today in a library.  I love libraries, one of my fabourite places on earth is the library within The British Museum.  It is beyond stuning.  It reminds me of the library in Beauty and the Beast.  I love everything about books.  The feel of the pages (I am not a fan of e-books), the sound they make when I turn them, the smell of old books and most importantly the hours of entertainment that they give me.

My love of books started from a very young age.  I would often hide myself away and escape to another world through the pages of a book.  A few of my favourite books from childhood are:

Elmer
The Faraway Tree trilogy
Ella Enchanted
Each Peach Pear Plum
Guess how much I love you
Journey to the River Sea

I studied English Literature at university and in some ways it curbed my love of books by making it a chore rather than a joy.  However since graduating I have been reading a huge amount and it gives me such a lot of happiness and entertainment.

What do you love about books?

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...of the British weather

One of my close friends is originally from the Netherlands.  She told me once that when she first came to England she couldn't understand why we talk about the weather so much.  However after a few months she realized the reason that we talk about it so much is because it so changeable.  We never know where we are with it.  So we celebrate, we moan, we try and guess how long it will stay the same for and ultimately we (or at least I) love its little idiosyncratic ways.

Today has gone from miserable to sunny to terrible and back again.  I have spent time longing to be outside and I have been glad to be safe and sound indoors.  Do I say I want it to make up its mind?  Yes.  But do I actually want it to?  Well no, like a misbehaving child it is infuriating but at the end of the day it is our misbehaving child and we cannot help but love it.

What has been making you happy today?

Life is beautiful because...I've been making daisy chains

I have had been enjoying the late summer we seem to be having at the moment.  Today I sat in the garden listening to music and reading magazines.  Yet the thing that I enjoyed the most was making daisy chains.

I have been fairly remiss at cutting the grass recently so there were plenty of daisies to choose from.  Making daisy chains reminds me of picnics with my family, of studying for GCSE's and of wasting away free periods whilst at college.  There is something comforting about concentrating on making a daisy chain that makes me truly happy.  It lets me explore my hippy side and makes me think of fairies and secret gardens.  Taking something so natural and making it into something dainty but ultimately doomed seems somehow magical to me.  Or maybe I have just spent too long in the sun.

What has been making you happy today?