Things are changing

Hiya guys,

So firstly I'm sorry for the lack of posts on this blog, I have been very very busy recently as I've been doing teaching work experience and also getting ready to MOVE FLAT! That's right! Goodbye mouldy room, showers that don't work properly and the decaying mouse Susan! 

I am soooo bloody excited -if you could't already guess.

We move out on the 30th of June and move into our new flat on the 1st of July -so just over a week to wait ahhh! It's been really busy though as our current agency has given us a cleaning list the size of my arm, then I've also got to pack and eventually move everything into a storage locker. 

S T R E S S

But it'll be worth it as the new flat is beautiful -be prepared for a full tour soon! It's a little bit out of the city centre but still in a really bustling part of Bristol, butttt it does mean I have to walk up a massive hill everyday which my body is NOT prepared for! Oh well, a gorgeous new flat and toned legs -can't be bad!

I'm currently all packed up apart from a few clothes, so my room feels very very bare right now. 

Here is what it did look like,

Thank you for reading (even though it's only been short and an update -sorry),

Hollie xx

To the land of Shakespeare

Stratford-upon-Avon, the land of Shakespeare, antique shops and baked goods! And also the place of this years birthday celebrations for my wonderful boyfriend James.

So wayyy back in February, I had the -very pricey- idea that I wanted to take James on holiday for his birthday present. We'd never been away together and the idea of being somewhere different, especially after exams had finished, sounded perfect.

Now came the task of where to go! As I'm on a student budget I knew I couldn't afford anywhere out of the UK, but as James is a theatre lover like myself, I thought Stratford would be the perfect place. We could wander antique shops, all the Shakespeare places, as well as getting some delicious food.

So I booked the Crowne Plaza for the end of May and was super organised for James' birthday at the start of that month.

And now that you're all caught up, on with the adventure!

30/05/2019

After arriving in Stratford at around 3ish, we checked into our beautiful King size (!!!) room, and then had a wander around the town. I was amazed at the beauty of this place, the sun shone, boats bobbed on the sparking river and everyone just seemed really happy! After a little trip to the hotels pool, we went for dinner at a small restaurant on the waterfront called "The Marina", we had tapas whilst sipping Gin (for me) and cider (for James). It was a perfect night of chatting, laughing and relaxing -the most amazing start to our holiday.

31/05/2019

After walking around the day before, we had a few places in mind that we wanted to explore -one of which, was Magic Alley. This wondrous shop held all things magical and mystical, including spell books, tarot cards, crystals and even an escape room/puzzle room type thing! ... which we definitely had to do! I have to admit, it was a lot of fun and something neither of us were expecting to do, and luckily we did pass meaning we are now "Ministry of Time Commanders". 

We also did an actual escape room called "Chalice of Champions" (sticking with the magic theme) at Escape Live. This was soooo much fun and really well designed! If you've never done an escape room before then I definitely recommend trying one, I was really sceptical at first and now I love them! And, thank god, we did escape with only 4 minutes and 3 seconds remaining -not bad, not bad.
Finally, we went to the Swan Theatre and saw the RSC's performance of 'As you like it', a funny and rather confusing play all about love. As my first live Shakespeare play, I thought it was wonderful, the actors, costumes and staging were great and how the RSC adapted it was so funny and clever! Definitely a must see -and if you have a free RSC Key then it's only £5!!

01/06/2019

On our last day we decided to dedicate our time purely to Shakespeare- bring on the tours! Firstly we went to Shakespeare's Birthplace where we learnt all about his parents, early life and siblings. It's incredible walking through the rooms where he was raised and looking at all the historical items on display.
Then we ventured over to 'New Place' (my favourite) which is where Shakespeare's house should have been. There was a funny tour by a man named Tony called "Where's the house?" which discussed why the building was no long there -10/10 would recommend. As the house is missing, the site has been transformed into beautiful gardens with stunning statues and art work, as it was such a beautiful sunny day, we really got to enjoy this and see all the plants in full bloom.
Finally, as we couldn't resist, we went back to Escape Live to tackle their Shakespeare themed room "Shakespeare Script" -had to stick to the theme, didn't we? Luckily we escaped out of this room as well, with only 3 minutes and 25 seconds left -it was definitely a little trickier.

I absolutely loved this trip and feel like it was just what we needed! Sometimes the city can get so busy and jobs, and life get in the way -so having 3 days just us was utterly perfect.

Thank you for reading,

Hollie xx

Inspiration grows with inspirational people

So work at the moment is a very inspirational place, not because of the job, but because of the incredible people. I've always been the kind of gal who believes in the whole 'follow your dreams' type of thing. I mean, I'm studying drama for gods sake! That was me following my dream which nooooobody wanted me to! But everyone at work reaching for the stars and really acing it -so I'm going to do a really cheesy 'appreciating my friends and all their greatness' kind of post!

Helen~ So recently Helen created her very own business called Savour. An online bakery where you can order the most incredible macarons and cookies (trust me, I've tried them!). All her sweet treats come in the cutest packaging and you even get free postage! How perfect is that for a present? -especially if you don't live close. 

I couldn't resist and bought myself a box of her mixed cookies to munch on whilst I blogged and they definitely did not disappoint! My favourite is her 'The Spicy One' cookie and 'Luna' her passionfruit macaron. I think it's amazing that she's gone and done this, and just shows that if you work hard you can achieve anything! 

Her website is Savour Online Bakery and you should definitely treat yourself! I mean look how yummy! (All photos are from Savours Instagram).

Hannah~ Recently Han started her very own Graphic Design Instagram account to showcase her illustrations! They're all so quirky and beautiful so I'd definitely suggest you go and check them out at @ididathingstudio. It's incredible watching someone's creativity flow as they make the most gorgeous things. I know she has quite a few plans so watch her space! (All photos are from ididathingstudio Instagram).

George~ Now, George is the upsetting one as she's moving away... But it's super exciting as she's moving down to the seaside where her boyfriend lives! I think this is really inspirational as she's following her heart and going where she knows she'll be happy -even if it is a little scary moving away. Geoge also has her own Instagram account where she makes delicious cocktails that look stunning and taste even better! So check her out at @ginspectorgeorge. (All photos are from ginspectorgeorge Instagram).

Thank you for letting me share some of my amazing friends with you,

Who are you finding inspirational at the moment?

Hollie xx

Honesty.

I'm going to be completely and utterly honest right now, I hate the way I look at the moment. Absolutely hate it. I feel disgusted at myself whenever I see my reflection and feel so uncomfortable whenever my clothes aren't lose and baggy. I hate it. I hate my stomach, my arms, my legs, my back, my face and so, so much more. I feel trapped in my own skin.

Which is why I'm determined to change.

I look back at photos of myself and wish for the body I once had, I look at the dresses in my wardrobe and know too well that they won't fit. But, they once did -and I once had the body I now so desperately crave. I can do it because I've done it before. I just need determination and commitment.

I find it so difficult at Uni as the ease of buying a takeaway or a ready meal is just so tempting. It's so easy to do nothing and spend a day where I don't do any kind of exercise or even movement. It's so easy to be lazy, and I'm already a very lazy person. I know what I should be doing, and what I should be eating, but the temptation is always too much and then I feel so guilty and disappointed in myself. It would be fine if I had control, for instance only having one chocolate in work instead of losing count, but I just can't seem to stop. I need a personal hand-slapper that just gives me a whack whenever my hand goes wandering to sweet treats.

I've tried to help myself in the past, joining Slimming World and sticking religiously to plan. But it just got too much -I wasn't going out with friends as I was so scared to go over my syn value and would just skip group if I felt I hadn't lost enough (therefore racking up a bill). I wouldn't eat the day of weigh-in, and then I'd just binge as much food as I could stomach after I'd been weighed as I was so so hungry. Slimming World worked for a while, but then as my losses started to become less and less as my body got used to the plan, I became more and more discouraged and disheartened. I eventually gave up, joined again, gave up, joined again and then gave up!

I had problems with eating when I was younger, throwing away my school lunches and just making the appropriate sounds at breakfast so my Mum thought I was making a bowl of cereal. I woke up every morning super early so I could do a workout before school, and then I'd just drink lemon water all day until dinner (which was the only meal I couldn't get out of). I know I wasn't healthy then, and I know I was underweight for my height -but that was the only time in my life where people commented on my weight, saying I looked slim and nice in clothes. I look back at that time and want to shake myself and just shout eat, but then I look at myself now and just want to shout stop.

It's so difficult and I feel so under pressure right now as I go abroad in 5 weeks, and I know that it'll be too hot to wear lots of clothes. It was when I went to Spain last year that I decided to join Slimming World as I hated all the photos that were taken of me. One year later and I'm exactly the same weight and still super unhappy. I know that I can't go on holiday looking the way I am, as I'll just get so upset and won't enjoy being away. I know I need to do something and fast.

I have a plan, and fingers crossed it works. 

In the past, I've been able to lose over a Stone in 4 weeks when sticking to the Slimming World plan, therefore I know it works for my body. However, this time I'm not going to join a group which means I'll miss out the pressures which I've had previously. I also know that if I have a fun way to exercise then I'll do more of it, bring on sassy YouTube dance videos such as Fitness Army. 

The main things that break my weight loss are takeaways and sugar -therefore no more ordering out, and telling my boyfriend to stop me if I get close, and also being super careful at work not to nibble on chocolates and telling the girls to stop me if I do! Combine all that with copious cups of green tea, reaching at least 10,000 steps a day and also doing various 30-day fitness challenges, this should hopefully work.

I know that no matter how much I do, I'm not going to be happy with the way I look this year on holiday, but I'll kick myself if I don't at least try.

Sorry for the rambling offload, just needed to get it all out.

If anyone has any tips or tricks that would help me in any way, please comment them down below.

Thank you for reading,

Hollie xx