February Update - March!

Hey readers!

My thing for february was to spend more quality time with the fiancé. We did manage to have a nice meal out at a cafe once a week, I especially loved Tofts which is a place just down our little avenue that sells great food, I always go for the fish goujon ciabatta, which is basically a posh fish finger sandwich. Calvin usually goes for the steak and cheese ciabatta, equally delicious!

We didn't really get around to having th nice walks, etc, but that will come once the weather gets a lot nicer!

I've now officially started work! I'll get paid monthly, which I was a little annoyed about at first because it'd be nice to have the money weekly. But then again, I'll get a nice chunk at the end of the month! I've already got 24 hours down for this week (twice the amount of my contracted hours!), which is really brilliant as the majority of my shifts are a nice short 4 hours.

For march, the goal is to blog almost every day! Here's hoping I can make it!

In other news, I have a Japanese Speaking Test to get sorted, and I'm feeling pretty grown up and responsible now that I'm taking control of my bills and bringing my own money in.

Here's to march!

Peace and Love
xx

To Teach or Not?

Hey Everyone :)

Sorry there was no post yesterday, I've been revising for an exam I have on Monday...I always leave it too late!

So, lately, I've been thinking about whether or not I should become a teacher. My career options and choices vary sporadically. I'm so terrible about choosing a potential career and focusing towards it. I mean, really bad. For example, I completed my UCAS in 2010 (for the first time) to do Zoology, I wanted to become a wildlife photographer, travel the world, write for the BBC/Nat Geo. I changed and did Philosophy and Film because I thought I'd enjoy it. That didn't work out so I ended up going for Photography, expecting it to help me set up my own studio, etc. I saw an opening in the market and was lucky enough to open up my own shop, selling alternative and vintage inspired clothing (you can still buy my stock from the Shop Page!). I'm now studying Marketing and Economics. 

A few of the lovely ladies from the blogs I read are teachers. After reading how brilliant it is to inspire children, read about their lesson plans and how fantastically rewarding it is, it has motivated me to look at teaching as a career seriously. 

Well, the option of becoming a teacher has always been in the back of my mind. I love the idea of inspiring children who are otherwise lost within the education system, much as I felt I was. I always felt  as though I was clever, but in a different way to others, so I never really felt like I benefited from the way of teaching I received, or maybe I was overlooked?

I'd like to be the kind of teacher who recognises the students who are under performing, encouraging all of my students no matter what, and doing my utmost to create students who are realistic about the outside world, yet hopeful and optimistic. 

I've been looking at what kind of qualifications and training I'd need to do. Currently I'm looking at doing the PGCE; Post Grad Certificate of Education. But I'm unsure to whether I should take primary of secondary. I'm looking for a little advice on this, if anyone could help?

I'm also seeking for any kind of advice whatsoever on this kind of subject; what's it really like being a teacher? What is the PGCE like? How does it effect your day-to-day life?

Thanks in advance for anyone who can offer some insight!

Peace and Love!

xx

A Goal For Every Month

Be Better with Money

In January, I want to focus on getting my finances in order. Sadly, due to the failure of my business (goddammit) I am having to seek further financial advice and have an appointment to start the process of a DRO. A fresh start is what I'm after, a chance for a clean slate and to live within my means. Having to deal with the crap from last year has really taught me the importance of healthy finances!

I certainly want it to be the start of a mature response to money, getting out of the habit of spending to make myself feel better or just because I have it! It's probably even more important now that Calvin and I are planning for our wedding and our future together, I certainly don't want that to be associated with any kind of bad debts.

Spend Quality Time Together

In February, I want it to be about spending quality time as a couple. Whether that be days out, planning our future, cooking together, doing some DIY or simply a walk in the park. I want to see if we can focus on doing things cheaply, and not translating time spent together into a mediocre, unnecessary meal (which is what we usually do!)

Blog (almost) Every Day
Hopefully by this point I'll have been blogging almost every day, and I'd like to keep it up throughout the year. I really love to tell you guys what I'm up to, share a little about what I've learnt from my experiences, some yummy food I've made or even just what I've been thinking about lately. I also find that it really helps to get things down on paper, as it were. I do a lot of writing in my day to day life and I find writing something that is a bit more free helps to clear my mind a little!

Get in the Garden
I love to garden, or at least I'm learning to love it! Two Summers ago I told you about all the veg that I grew. I was so proud to see my little seedlings grow into big, fruitful plants and I want to do the same this summer. I must admit, the garden we have now isn't even a patch on my parents. We have a mere 2m² but I will make it pretty! I know I want a peony bush and foxgloves, but that's as far as I've got and I don't even know if they're suitable!

Work Hard at University

May will be my last month for my first year at University, including exams! I'm going to make sure I spend the whole month revising, eating properly, sleeping well. It goes without saying that I should be doing the latter two now (but clearly I don't, as I'm typing this at 2am after just eating some Caramel and Cinnamon Waffle ice-cream!). I'm going to ensure all my class assignments, exams, extra curricular responsibilities, etc are tied up nicely so I feel relaxed for the summer and not guilty for feeling like I should've put more effort in. 

Get on my Bike

I want to make this the month of exploring! I got my gorgeous Gazelle bike last summer and rode it almost every day! This horrid Yorkshire weather doesn't help. So I want to get out there and see the countryside. Maybe even join the Ladies Vintage Cycle Club? Summer, I can't wait!

Sweet Potatoes, White Beans and Kale! Droooool!

Be A Better Vegetarian

July will be the month of veggies! I am a vegetarian (technically a pescetarian) and have been all my life. Yet, I've only just tried cooking lentils! I love to cook and this summer I'm going to eat/cook all the typical vegetarian things that I haven't really tried before, or at least for a while. I'm thinking lots of quinoa, palenta, lentils, exciting salads, unusual fruits and pulses! I'll also probably throw in some different fish that I haven't tried before, just cause I really should eat more than tuna/cod/salmon/prawns! 

Regular OOTDs!
I follow a lot of fashion bloggers, primarily sweet individual women who post OOTDs (not the more serious kind!) and I love seeing what they wear! I have thought about doing these now and again, but saw it as too trivial and mundane, but I really enjoying seeing others! In August I want to post an OOTD at least once every 3 days. It's summer, not my best time with clothing as style usually goes out the window in favour of being cool/comfortable! I have a few ideas of what I'd like to wear this summer...I know, already! So hopefully it'll be the start of a regular feature!

Do More Cultural Things

I love museums, art galleries and the like. I want to make sure that in September I go to a couple. Maybe have a day out in Leeds? The Art Gallery there is awesome! Would love to visit the National Media Museum again, see some movies in the IMAX cinema ('cause thats totally cultural!) maybe?

Read More!

I love books, I'm just not quite so good with reading...ha! I buy books cause I do want to read them, I just really suck about getting round to actually reading them. Last September, before I started my degree, I read Freakonomics cover to cover and then read it again! Absolutely brilliant book! I have Caitlin Moran's Moranthology on my bookshelf waiting for me, and I'd like to read a few modern classics, etc. I also really want to read Beth Ditto's Biography, Coal To Diamonds! If you have any suggestions I'd love to hear them!

Christmas Shopping

In November, I think I'd like to make a real effort to start/finish my christmas shopping! Ha! I always leave buy presents to the last week before Christmas, leaving me utterly skint and pressed for finding good gifts! Sales will be my friend, and I will get all my shopping finished by the end of the month!

FAT Positive
I'd like to make sure that in December I have done something Fat/Body Positive during the year. I follow a lot of lovely girls in the Yorkshire area and beyond who are very inspirational women and have helped me "come to terms" with who I am. I made an important revelation this month in that being "overweight" does not make me worthless. No matter what size or weight I am, I have the right to feel comfortable, sexy, awesome, empowered and beautiful. With this new found confidence, I'd like to carry it on for the next year and reach out in someway or another. 

Peace and Love!
xx

What's to come?

Hello my Sweeties!

I hope you had a really good time turning in the new year! Calvin and I had some nice food, chilled out watching TV and then watched the London Fireworks, which were frankly, A-MA-ZING! Remixed ELO and a mega abundance of fireworks, what could be better?

2012 was a difficult year. This time 12 months ago I was planning the start of my new business, very excited and researching all my potential suppliers! I also finished one course and started another. Going back to uni was the best decision I could've made, being a few years older, I've really appreciated it and know the importance of studying, rather than just seeing it as a stop gap. I will, however, be changing my degree from Economics and Marketing to Management and Marketing, which is possible to do due to the generic first year at Hull Uni Business School. Brilliant :)

I also moved out and in to a new flat with my boyfriend, Calvin, and spent 3 and half months there while we tried to find somewhere else! Sleeping in a bedroom no bigger than a double bed, with no windows that opened, was just killer! Eugh, scumbag landlords, eh?!

We found our perfect house which we're decorating slowly. 

We got Catface! Our adorable little black male kitten.

I turned 21, and Calvin and I got engaged!

2012 was definitely the year of firsts and I hope this continues positively into 2013. 

Instead of resolutions (well, ok, I made one not to procrastinate!) I decided to focus on things I want to do/achieve this year. 

One thing that is really important to me and that I want to prove to myself is that I can finish my first year of university and pass. My first attempt I had to leave due to illness, my second it just wasn't for me, and this is my third. If I fail, there are no more chances, so no matter what, I have to continue! I think it's because I get focused onto something else and I feel like that would be the better option and life is too short to do something that you don't want to. But sometimes that's just not true, I've got to be more focused this year. Finish my degree, and then consider the next steps. Whether that is doing another course, a postgrad, or find a job. 

I also want to become more organised, make my office space prettier and start buying artwork that inspires me. I also want to start developing my own style. I love to draw, but what often puts me off is that I try and work to a certain style and if it isn't perfect, I stop and get disheartened. I shouldn't do this, art is something to be enjoyed.

I also want to travel more with Calvin. We have a tattoo session booked in with an artist called Alicia Rafferty at Inspirations Tattoo Studio, Leeds, England. So that'll be a nice day out!

Talking of tattoos, I want more, of course I do, I always have. I'm considering what to do next. Our wedding isn't for 3 years or so, and I know that I don't want anymore than quarter sleeves by then. I love brides who wear their ink with pride, and it's not that I'd be ashamed, I just feel like I want to be married and secure and "successful" before I start venturing out any further. 

I certainly have plenty of space to do so! I currently have 4, two large pieces on my back, one big one on my thigh and a little one just next to it. So I have most of my back, thighs,  and top of my arms. I think I do want to have full sleeves, or at least half, a few calf tattoos, feet and hands possibly!

2013 will be the year of commitment, focus and creativity. Yeah, that sounds about right :) 

Peace and Love!

xx

Truancy!

Oh my dear readers!

I must apologise for the extended absence these past few months! Life just got on top of me and the daily blogs just took a back seat. But this is set to change indeed!

I'll give you a little lowdown and much needed explanation for the truancy! So, the last time we talked was back in the middle of September when I was starting my classes and getting back into the swing of "being a student" something that I hadn't been for well over 9 months. I was beginning my degree in "Lens Based Photo Media" i.e. Photography and a bit of Video, my AAT in Accountancy. I went through a horrible break up and was just getting to know the people on my courses and making some good friends. Hurray for being less socially awkward!

3 Months later in January 2012 I was now with my lovely boyfriend (I'd like to say partner, but it's way too formal!) Calvin and I couldn't be happier, college was getting crappier and I was seriously stressing out with some new ideas that I really wanted to implement.

Step back to Christmas 2011, I had a brainwave to open up my own shop, specialising in Alternative clothing with a 50s edge. I knew it would work, how I wanted it to look, what I wanted to call it and that it was exactly what my town needed, an injection of vintage retro style!

In January I decided to go into business with my aunt who had a similar shop on the other side of the river and wanted to be closer to home. We found a retail space, got the financial backing from the bank, and bought our first lot of stock! By 17th March we were having our Grand Opening and starting to make money!

All while this was happening I was having issues with college, thankfully because of my Aunt I missed a minimal amount of coursework; the issues were more about the quality of education we were receiving, and as student rep it was my job to bring it up and get it sorted.

Despite any action that might take place in the next few weeks, I have decided to leave at the end of the academic year and focus purely on the shop and my accountancy. I can earn so much more and progress further if I don't have a few hours a day, 5 days a week of something that at the moment seems quite pointless. It's such a shame as I really enjoyed the first few months, but when your enthusiasm, inspiration, determination and positivity is at nil, its time to make a change.

I'll be doing my AAT Accountancy course on one day, rather than two evenings, and hopefully get enrolled to start on my CIMA exams (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants) in order to be chartered by the time I finish my AAT. Then I can start on a career which can earn me decent amounts while being free to build up my business as I'm hoping to freelance with the Accountancy.

Seriously exciting times, there is so much I want to do, that I know will release some potential in the shop, get me a decent wage.

Inspired by the lovely Kaelah of Honeybean Boutique fame I am composing a goal list of "20 before 21" keep an eye out for it in the next post!