So i am ever so slowly approaching that age where I will be considered closer to 30 rather than 20! Scary thoughts! Right now I am enjoying being smack bang in the middle!
Todays post is something a little different. Here I thought I would share a list of things with you that at some point during your 20's you are going to learn! We have all been there so hold your head high and keep going!
Comparing yourself to others is absolutely pointless
I think in your 20s you learn to find out who you really are. I am much more confident of who I am and what I want now than I was 6 years ago. Maybe that comes with age and experience but I definitely think that your 20s are when you learn who you are and what your about.
Be Patient
Everyone assumes that by 22-23 (when you have left university if that is the path you chose) that you should know what the heck is going on. What job do you want to do, When do you want to get married, how many kids do you want. Seriously! At 22 I thought I had everything figured out (well not everything - I thought I knew the career path I wanted to take) - Fast forward 3 years and I couldn't be doing something more different and you know what - I am ok with that! I really enjoy my job and can't wait to look forward to progressing within the new field I have chosen.
Being alone is ok
This time last year - in fact 9 months ago in fact I was sat down with one of the girls at work discussing the fact that I hadn't got a boyfriend and that I needed to find a date for the silver wedding party she is throwing in November. I got to the stage where I felt like everyone around me was a couple. Fast forward 9 months I am sitting in the living room of my own house with a boy I loved far too long and engaged to be married! You honestly never know what is around the corner! Be prepared the ride is fab!
Todays post is something a little different. Here I thought I would share a list of things with you that at some point during your 20's you are going to learn! We have all been there so hold your head high and keep going!
Comparing yourself to others is absolutely pointless
I spent a lot of my teenage years comparing myself to other people. I have always been the bigger one amongst my friends and its not easy when your growing up, not to look at your friends and make comparisons! When you get to your 20s you come to realise actually you are your own person and who cares.
Its not as easy to find new friends
Remember the days when you went to school and it was easy to make friends with the people in your class by bonding over your hate for the subject/teacher - Well being in your 20s isn't like that. I don't know if it is just me but it is really difficult to meet people your own age. I work with a group of people who are all at least 30+ with a couple of exceptions. I don't go out a lot (I have never been one for nights out) and its not easy to just go up to people and go "hey wanna be friends" - or is it just me?
You don't have to be attached to your BFF
Remember when you were at school (if thats where you and your BFF met) and you spent every waking moment talking to each other. Being in your 20s isn't like that! I can go weeks without speaking to my best friend. The good thing is that when we do see each other, its like we have never been apart.
Being a grown up is hard
Forget the times when all you had to worry about was when the next issue of Smash Hits magazine was due out or what lip gloss you were going to get with your pocket money; when you get to your 20s you have to think about things like Bills, Rent Payments, Council tax.
You learn to value
Tying in with the above one. You learn that you can't just spent money like a nutter on shit you don't need and learn to be more appreciative when you do buy something you have wanted to get for a while.
Its ok to fail
There are times in your life when you are going to make mistakes and gradually you learn to accept that its ok and you use it as a way of becoming a stronger person rather than letting it define who you are.
Be yourself
I think in your 20s you learn to find out who you really are. I am much more confident of who I am and what I want now than I was 6 years ago. Maybe that comes with age and experience but I definitely think that your 20s are when you learn who you are and what your about.
Be Patient
Everyone assumes that by 22-23 (when you have left university if that is the path you chose) that you should know what the heck is going on. What job do you want to do, When do you want to get married, how many kids do you want. Seriously! At 22 I thought I had everything figured out (well not everything - I thought I knew the career path I wanted to take) - Fast forward 3 years and I couldn't be doing something more different and you know what - I am ok with that! I really enjoy my job and can't wait to look forward to progressing within the new field I have chosen.
Being alone is ok
This time last year - in fact 9 months ago in fact I was sat down with one of the girls at work discussing the fact that I hadn't got a boyfriend and that I needed to find a date for the silver wedding party she is throwing in November. I got to the stage where I felt like everyone around me was a couple. Fast forward 9 months I am sitting in the living room of my own house with a boy I loved far too long and engaged to be married! You honestly never know what is around the corner! Be prepared the ride is fab!
♥
I love cooking and when a new slimming world recipe came my way I couldn't wait to try it. I am in absolute LOVE with this recipe and have made it SO many times since getting it so I thought I would share it with you.
Heres what you need:
Heres what you need:
- 2cm piece of ginger
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2tsp Chinese 5 spice
- 6 tbsp of Soy Sauce
- 3 tbsp of Tomato Puree
- 2tsp of sesame oil
- Chicken - I used breasts but you can use thighs or portions of your choice (or I suppose you could try another meat too - I keep meaning to try with Pork!)
Step 1: Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl
Step 2: Once combined spread the chicken out onto a baking tray and bake for 10 - 15 minutes
For a change (not done this before) I decided to add a few monge tout to it for some added veg - if your adding veg follow step 4 - if not just wait for chicken to be done and dish up.
Step 4: Add Monge Tout or chosen veg to sauce pan. Once softened add the chicken so that the sauce coats your veg.
Step 5: Serve up with the side of your choice. I did noodles this time but I have also done it with homemade egg fried rice.
Enjoy :)
♥
Now I don't know about anyone else but I am one of those people who overpacks rather than under packs. As I hadn't been to Centre Parc's before so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I chucked some bits into my make up bag not really knowing what I would and would not use but I thought I would share with you anyway.
I'll admit that I barely used half of the make up I took with me, its all a learning curve right! And it is better to have more with you than less isn't it!??!
Top left to right:
- Maybelline Brow Drama Sculpting Mascara
- Soap and Glory Super Cat Liner
- Topshop Khol Liner
- Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
- Covergirl Mascara
- Maybelline Baby Skin
- Bobbi Brown Corrector
- Bobbi Brown Concealor
- Maybelline Matt Face Powder
- Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
- Build your own Mac Palette
- Mac Paint pot in Bare Study
- No 7 Mineral Foundation
- Clinique Blusher
- Naked 2 Palette
- Benefit Rockateur Blush
- Hoola Bronzer
As I say I barely used most of the stuff I took. The thing I used the most was the No 7 Mineral Foundation which I am loving atm. Teamed with a bit of Hoola Bronzer, a dab of bare study and a little lash of mascara it was the perfect day time look. Since we spent most of the evenings in the villa apart from the first night when we went bowling when I wore the double wear by Estee Lauder which again I am loving, I just kept my day make up on at night too.
Are you an overpacker on holiday?
♥
I love this time of year when all the new Autumn T starts to come through and you can spend your nights snuggled up, candle lit with a mug of hot chocolate (or beverage of your choice) - Perfect! There are so many good things on at the moment, my series record on my Sky + is going crazy time with all the things planned to be record. Here is my list of what I am watching and loving this Autumn.
Downton Abbey; ITV - Sunday 9pm
I have loved Downton since way back in the first series. I am not usually a fan of this style of period drama but there is just something about Downton which drew me in - that and the fact I am a sucker for Maggie Smith! Judging from this weeks episode, Series 5 is not going to disappoint.
Doctor Who; BBC 1 - Saturday Evening
Now I will admit it, I have never really watched a lot of the Doctor Who - I watched a few episodes when David Tennant was in it but I wouldn't go classing myself as a Who fan. Anyway Adam is a massive Doctor Who fan and I am quite willing to give programs a go before I say I don't like them, plus with the introduction of the new Doctor, Peter Capaldi I was interested to see what the new series was like. After just 1 episode I was hooked and I love it.
The Leftovers; Sky Atlantic - Tuesday 9pm
Now I am not going to lie, the first episode totally confused me, I think this is going to be one of those series which is awesome once it gets going, I'll keep you updated as to what I think. It reminds me a bit of between Flash Forward. Basically 2% of the worlds population goes missing and the program is based (as the title states) on those left behind.
The Strain; Watch - Wednesday 10pm
This was totally something we got into by accident. We went to mum and dads for tea and a coffee and my dad was watching this, me and Adam had to go to choir practice but didn't want to leave till it was finished. Its an American Horror-Drama based around a plane full of people which lands at JFK with all the lights off and the doors sealed. On board they find 206 corpses and 4 survivors. The 206 missing bodies then go missing from the morgue and a small group of helpers try to protect the city.
Strictly Come Dancing; BBC1 - Friday and Saturday, times vary.
You can not get excited about Autumn TV without getting excited about Strictly! The launch show was absolutely great and I can't wait to see all of the dancers as the weeks go on.
Great British Bake Off - BBC1 - Wednesday 8pm
OK so this is a bit of a cheat one since Bake off has been on for ages but I thought I would throw it in there because I am LOVING it at the moment! Its in the quarter finals this week and is getting progressively harder each week! My 2 favourite bakers are Martha and Richard.
What TV are you loving or looking forward to this Autumn???
Downton Abbey; ITV - Sunday 9pm
I have loved Downton since way back in the first series. I am not usually a fan of this style of period drama but there is just something about Downton which drew me in - that and the fact I am a sucker for Maggie Smith! Judging from this weeks episode, Series 5 is not going to disappoint.
Doctor Who; BBC 1 - Saturday Evening
Now I will admit it, I have never really watched a lot of the Doctor Who - I watched a few episodes when David Tennant was in it but I wouldn't go classing myself as a Who fan. Anyway Adam is a massive Doctor Who fan and I am quite willing to give programs a go before I say I don't like them, plus with the introduction of the new Doctor, Peter Capaldi I was interested to see what the new series was like. After just 1 episode I was hooked and I love it.
The Leftovers; Sky Atlantic - Tuesday 9pm
Now I am not going to lie, the first episode totally confused me, I think this is going to be one of those series which is awesome once it gets going, I'll keep you updated as to what I think. It reminds me a bit of between Flash Forward. Basically 2% of the worlds population goes missing and the program is based (as the title states) on those left behind.
The Strain; Watch - Wednesday 10pm
This was totally something we got into by accident. We went to mum and dads for tea and a coffee and my dad was watching this, me and Adam had to go to choir practice but didn't want to leave till it was finished. Its an American Horror-Drama based around a plane full of people which lands at JFK with all the lights off and the doors sealed. On board they find 206 corpses and 4 survivors. The 206 missing bodies then go missing from the morgue and a small group of helpers try to protect the city.
Strictly Come Dancing; BBC1 - Friday and Saturday, times vary.
You can not get excited about Autumn TV without getting excited about Strictly! The launch show was absolutely great and I can't wait to see all of the dancers as the weeks go on.
Great British Bake Off - BBC1 - Wednesday 8pm
OK so this is a bit of a cheat one since Bake off has been on for ages but I thought I would throw it in there because I am LOVING it at the moment! Its in the quarter finals this week and is getting progressively harder each week! My 2 favourite bakers are Martha and Richard.
What TV are you loving or looking forward to this Autumn???
♥
As promised, I said I would keep you all updated with our planning and tips for the wedding. It may still be about 18 months away but we are on top and being super organised.
Anyway today what I wanted to do is to share with you my top tips for Wedding Fair's.
We went to our first wedding fair on the 7th September which was held in one of the local big Best Western hotels here in Stoke - The Moat House and was organised by our local newspaper the Sentinel.
With this being the first wedding fair I had ever been to, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I certainly hadn't expected it to be as good as it was. It spanned the entirety of the hotel's communal areas - the ballroom, all the reception ares and other rooms off it as well as the court yard outside.
The first of my top tips would be to make sure you take a document wallet with you. Now this is a mistake I picked up on the day that I wish I had read before. As you wander round a wedding fair, you will be handed 100's of leaflets, by the time I got half way round I was juggling with them and dropping them all over the place. It doesn't help that no bodies leaflets are the same size either - some just have business cards, others have A5 leaflets, others A4. Buying one of those popper folders before you go - I got mind for 30p from Morrisons - means not only will you not be dropping everything you look like the most organised Bride to be ever.
My second tip would to be make sure you have a Pen and Paper. Either use the Pen to mark on the leaflets of the people you liked or make a note of the names and any prices in a small note book. I brought one of those tiny little note books to jot all the ideas down we saw and the people we loved.
Tip 3, Don't be afraid to ask if you can take pictures. Most people don't like it as with the culture of DIY's and Pinterest they know people only go to steal ideas but some people may say yes. We saw a style of invitation we really loved but Adams best man's mum had already agreed to make all of our wedding stationary for us. Taking a picture just meant we could show her what we liked.
Tip 4, don't be afraid to talk to people. Yes they are there are there to sell to you but if you don't speak to them you won't know what you can get. We were talking to someone who did room dressing who had some examples of tables laid out but not in the colours we were planning. After discussing with them they quickly whipped of one of their displays and showed us the chairs in the colours we wanted.
Anyway today what I wanted to do is to share with you my top tips for Wedding Fair's.
We went to our first wedding fair on the 7th September which was held in one of the local big Best Western hotels here in Stoke - The Moat House and was organised by our local newspaper the Sentinel.
With this being the first wedding fair I had ever been to, I wasn't really sure what to expect. I certainly hadn't expected it to be as good as it was. It spanned the entirety of the hotel's communal areas - the ballroom, all the reception ares and other rooms off it as well as the court yard outside.
The first of my top tips would be to make sure you take a document wallet with you. Now this is a mistake I picked up on the day that I wish I had read before. As you wander round a wedding fair, you will be handed 100's of leaflets, by the time I got half way round I was juggling with them and dropping them all over the place. It doesn't help that no bodies leaflets are the same size either - some just have business cards, others have A5 leaflets, others A4. Buying one of those popper folders before you go - I got mind for 30p from Morrisons - means not only will you not be dropping everything you look like the most organised Bride to be ever.
My second tip would to be make sure you have a Pen and Paper. Either use the Pen to mark on the leaflets of the people you liked or make a note of the names and any prices in a small note book. I brought one of those tiny little note books to jot all the ideas down we saw and the people we loved.
Tip 3, Don't be afraid to ask if you can take pictures. Most people don't like it as with the culture of DIY's and Pinterest they know people only go to steal ideas but some people may say yes. We saw a style of invitation we really loved but Adams best man's mum had already agreed to make all of our wedding stationary for us. Taking a picture just meant we could show her what we liked.
Tip 4, don't be afraid to talk to people. Yes they are there are there to sell to you but if you don't speak to them you won't know what you can get. We were talking to someone who did room dressing who had some examples of tables laid out but not in the colours we were planning. After discussing with them they quickly whipped of one of their displays and showed us the chairs in the colours we wanted.
My fifth and final tip would be to take advantage of offers. Yes they are designed to lure you in but if you look there are some bloody good offers out there. We booked the mens suits through Greenwoods while at the wedding fair and got an absolutely fantastic deal of 20% off if we booked on the day. They guy was also incredibly helpful and offered us some great advice telling us not to bother hiring the suit for Adam's Nephew who will be 6 as he probably won't wear the suit jacket and we would be better buying him the trousers and a white shirt from somewhere like Asda and hiring the waistcoat and cravat with them. I instantly loved his honesty.
We also ha a great deal with the venue dressers from the picture above who if we booked with them we got the broaches in the centre free. Doesn't sound like a lot but for our afternoon reception saved us £80 by booking on the day of the wedding fair.
And those are my top tips for the wedding fair. Me, my mum and Adams mum are going to the national wedding fair in Manchester on 11th October so I will be sure to share any more tips from that too :)
♥
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