5 Things To Smile About

I was feeling really down today, but a lot of people around me radiated a kind of warmness and joy that teases you in despite the dark clouds that hang above you. I reminded myself that moods are contagious, and you should always keep people that won't induce negativity as company. There's nothing worse than a Negative Nancy (or Natalie, or Niamh, or Norman or Nathan.. I don't know why Nancy gets picked on) so here are a couple of things that happen in life that you could smile about.

1) When you pull your curtains back and you see that it has snowed overnight:
As a kid in primary school, waking up at 6am was no problem if it was to listen to the radio (see that... Radio, not Facebook or Twitter!) and keep your ears open for your primary school's name to be called. And it's not much different now I'm 18. I doubt it's very much different for adults with full time occupations! Planning a completely different day ahead to welcome Jack Frost was, (and still is) the most exhilarating thing! It's spontaneous, and it keeps us on our toes: and whether we stay in with a hot drink or go out and embrace the snow, is up to us. And that goes for ANY type of weather! (Hear that sun? It'd be nice if you showed your face too... we like it!)

2) Discounts:
I complimented a lady on her maxi-dress yesterday evening and asked her if she'd been anywhere nice: she replied she hadn't, and that the sun was enough of an excuse to wear it (can you tell we live in England?). She proceeded on to tell me that she'd seen it in the Monsoon sale, with a £25 discount. BUT, as it scanned through, it came out even more cheaper. HOW GREAT IS THAT. I, not the benefitee of the sale, was ecstatic for her because those little perks are something great, aren't they?

3) The Stranger Smile:
In my Tumblr bio (you can take a peek here!), I write that I'm 'appreciative of the stranger smile'. I smile to strangers as much as I can. I grew up in a tiny village where everybody says hello to each other, and so I think I've developed an inability of fearing strangers, but trying to remove the stigma associated with them. "But stranger danger is a THING, Lol", I hear you say. I know, but weren't all your friends strangers once?
Try it - smiles are contagious. Smile right now. See if it makes you just that teeny bit happier. And if it doesn't, think about how silly you looked smiling to yourself. Weirdo.

4) Opportunities:
Hey kid, how cool is it that we have so much to choose from? You can wake up tomorrow and choose to be someone who is intellectually stimulating, or a movie-nerd, or an athlete, or a basket case (...sorry, that turned very "The Breakfast Club". Guess which one I am). You might think it weird or you may have just not grasped the concept of freedom or liberty as severe as I see it, but it's your life, and it may take a couple of weeks, months or years and a few pennies but you can do it. That's something to smile about. Solidifying your dreams. Cheesy, but who doesn't like cheese?

5) That time when you did that really awesome thing:
You've lived a couple years by now, (I'm guessing.. unless the children from "Baby Geniuses" are reading this. What's up Sly?) so you've got a collection of memories that make you smile. No doubt. You've got that time when that thing happened and you were like 'woah' and that time when that other thing happened that made you feel really anxious and crappy but now you're like 'hahhahah lmfao lol'. Y'know?! Those little things shouldn't be forgotten - try and squeeze them tight to embed them into that little noggin of yours, and save them for a day when the sun isn't shining so brightly, and your smile isn't as wide as it could be.

As you might be able to tell, this kind of progressed into something a little deeper than intended. But let's cut the stuffy, philosophical tension and list a couple of other things that might make you smile:

6) Jennifer Lawrence.
7) Junk food.
8) Trashy reality TV.
9) Alcohol (disclaimer: this may also make you cry. Side affects include headaches and sickness.)
10) Tumblr/Twitter
11) Photos!
12) PoorMichelle


...please feel free to add your own in the comments below! :)

L.

Oops! ...I Did It Again.

I'm just going to say it.

...I got a new tattoo.

And it feels great! Not like the kind of great that churns your stomach, or the kind of great that pinches at the goosebumps on your skin, but the kind of great that makes you feel light and carefree.

I personally love this tattoo (I should hope so, wouldn't you?) and it reminds me of one of my most treasured friendships and it reminds me of luck.

 IIXXV

Ness and I have known each other since we were 3 year old dumplings, and to get something permanent to pay homage to that friendship was something that I was utterly keen for.

I know Roman Numerals are overdone and may even be seen as incessant to some, but I like it.

But to get something inked for someone who wrote to you when she moved away, who you set up an e-mail account for at the age of 7, someone you'd fight off your heavy eyelids just to stay awake and receive their phone calls, someone you'd dress like Avril Lavigne with, someone you see as a little sister, and someone you'd do anything for, is inevitable, in my eyes. 

Sorry Mum. Sorry Dad.

L.

OOTD - 6th June, 2013

Two posts in one day! What the eff! Hahah.

I think the sun is making me more productive (when it comes to my blog, not so much revision) and so I took a couple of snaps of what I am wearing this glorious evening!

It's a super casual OOTD... and admittedly my second outfit of the day.

The grey v-neck is from H&M - a great staple to your wardrobe! (Just realised I haven't even really showed you the v-neck! ...But you can use your imagination, haha)

My trousers are from the Topshop sale!

They are so light and airy and perfect for summer!

...My trusty Docs have once again appeared.

L.

A Cheeky Little Something...

If you read my last blog post, you might have picked up on the hint that I did something a teeny weeny bit exciting.

Last Friday, the 31st of May, I booked a tattoo.

I've wanted a tattoo for quite a while, but wasn't quite sure if I was ready to take the plunge and have ink on me forever! I thought it wouldn't do me any harm to book an appointment, and if need be, cancel it if I chickened out. ...But I realised I'd booked an appointment for the same day as my exam, and so had to pull it forward. To today.

Today came around quicker than I thought it would, and so soon enough I found myself in the seat, ready to be inked.

And it was fine. No tears, no drama! It genuinely did not hurt a single bit.

So, if you're curious enough to want to take a peek, I'll happily show you :)

I got 'wonderland' because of Alice In Wonderland... "We're all mad here". It symbolises, to me, the only place where crazy doesn't matter and where you as yourself is good enough. It also kinda reminds me that there is always a place to go to, a place to escape if need be: whether that be through books, films, holidays, art etc.

L.