Things I should be good at ...but I'm not

Are you sure that as the years go on, time doesn't half? Like really, are there still 60 minutes to an hour and 24 hours to a day? Because in reality, we are about to complete the first month of the year and I haven't achieved half of what I had hoped. Whilst I could pin this down to my lazy attitude and my want to be doing something 'social' whenever I can, I simply blame the concept of time.

If I wasn't so particular about pictures in my blog, I would almost update it daily. However due to my desire to pose in pretty locations, my blog posts are always put on hold- mainly because of the weather but also because I need to make sure that me and my photographer (shout out to my Dad) need to be free at the same time, which isn't always easy!

So coming soon is a new feature on my blog: Purchase of the month but it has been placed on hold due to a lack of images. Instead I have rustled up a quick blog, more on a lifestyle basis that looks at the 10 life things, I should really be good at... but I'm not. 

1. Cutting in a straight line- being a teaching assistant this is highly embarrassing.

2. Getting toothpaste out of the tube- If the tube isn't at least 3/4's full I battle a daily struggle. I just don't understand, this should be simple and easy!

3. Putting my hair into a GOOD ponytail- I envy the girls that rock a full looking, not much effort put in, but still placed perfectly, ponytail. Please someone teach me, my morning routine could be so much quicker!

4. Eating fruit- I try, I really do but I just don't find it that pleasing.

5. Wearing matching socks- (unless I'm in my brothers trainer socks) One will feature a zoo animal and the other a Christmas character- Hey life's too short to waste time matching socks.

6. Opening envelopes- Someone please tell me the knack behind opening envelopes.

7. Finding an empty seat on a bus- It's such a panic situation, whatever time of day. The worst part is, when the bus driver can't wait for you to sit down, so sets off, causing you to do that embarrassing little stumble. *Tuck hair behind ears and slide onto seat, place in headphones and shut out the world*.

8. Painting my nails- I used to just have issues with painting my right hand, however with age my nail painting skills have crumbled. I'm impatient, unsteady and clearly not cut out for this skill.

9. Getting out of bed after I've had a shower- The best feeling is getting back into bed after a shower and getting all snuggly while you 'naturally' dry. However finding the energy to then get up and ready is near impossible.

10. Removing empty cups from my room- *sigh* I know the pile of mismatched cups is extremely unattractive but the effort it takes to remove them is worse.

The list can go on and on...

But there you have it a little bit more about the person behind this blog! Not exactly the usual post but coming up next will be My Purchase of the Month, so back to my favourite writing topic-fashion!

Thanks for reading, 

Mollie Isabella 

xx

15 things 2015 taught me

Look out for my next blog for information on this outfit!

Okay this is probably a blog I should have written at least a week ago. However, all my days merged into one again and finally over a week into the year, I have managed to sit down and finally reflect on the roller coaster known as 2015. 

(Some are more serious than others but I really did learn quite a lot last year!) 

1: University is not for everyone. There is more than one pathway, more than one direction, you just need to find the right one for you. 

2: Leaving a job on good terms is amazing. I have now returned to the same job three times and each time I go back and decide I want to move onto something else, I leave positively and this had really paid off. 

3: Friends come from the most unlikely of places. Okay, you may have the image in your head of a perfect friend who likes all the same things as you? Banish that and let things fall into place, the best people in my life are those I have almost nothing in common with.

4: It is okay to be proud of yourself. I am one of those people that never really see's the good in anything that I do. However June, 2015, blessed me with the proudest moment of my life. I put in hours and hours of hard work and it really paid off and I am proud to say I am proud. 

5: Do not take things for granted. Do not take family for granted. Do not take friends for granted.
 

6: Justin Bieber really can create good, meaningful music. I never thought this day would come but 2015, really was his year. Company and Feeling are my two all time favourite songs of his. 

7: Be yourself. I really felt there were certain parts of 2015, where I just wasn't me. Where I let expectations and reality take over what I truly believed, felt and wanted. The person that you are is the best person you can be. 

8: Stress really isn't as necessary as my body thinks it is. I have put myself through so much un-needed stress, for what? I have learnt that I need to take a second, breathe, evaluate the situation and remain calm.

9: You do not need to know your future now. At the age of 19, I felt immense pressure in terms of my future. I felt I should have a career plan, written chronologically with no time to fail. Well guess what, 2015 proved that this is probably the worst thing because if it doesn't go right, you panic. I am not saying wing it, I am just saying be open to different things.

10: Make sure you spread your attention and care widely, don't invest everything into one person.

11: If at first you don't succeed, try and try again but if it makes you miserable it's okay to give up.

12: I have a severe spending addiction, that probably is bad enough to seek help but quite frankly it keeps me sane.

13: It is okay to be emotional, it shows you care. So yes, it is okay to cry when you run out of cereal, or when you watch 24 Hours in A and E or when you just need to let it out. 

14: Happiness comes in many forms. 

15: 2015 taught me to be me. Life throws so much at us, things we can handle, things we can't. It was a roller coaster of a year that opened my eyes to life, love, friendship and new emotions. I wanted to close the chapter and start a fresh and that is exactly what I am doing. 

Here's to 2016, 

Thank-you for reading, 

Mollie Isabella 

xx

Inside My Bedroom...

The four small walls of my bedroom, have seen and heard a lot (metaphorically-my walls are not alive!) From the dreadful hairbrush singing, to the "I have nothing to wear" tantrums, the tossing and turning when I could not sleep, the gossip from sleepovers and the time I drew on my Winnie the Pooh rug, aged 4 and blamed it on my brother, woops.
It is fair to say my room has grown with me and has experimented with its appearance a fair few times. From wonderful matching borders, to a Punky Fish ensemble, my poor room has been the victim to some awful accessorizing.

There is only so much you can do with a room that consists of a wardrobe that can't budge and a bed that won't fit anywhere else. Stuck with the same layout in my room, since I could sleep in a single bed, it was beginning to get very tedious. So everything has remained in the same position, however my humble abode has had a severe make-over. Be gone the white tac, picture splattered walls, cluttered shelves and make-up stained carpet!

This time I have gone for a fresh feeling, happy environment. Through the use of light colours, white accessories and a couple of cute plants my room is now a place, I actually enjoy spending time in.

Yes I admit it, I tidied it all, especially for you.

 Sometimes you just need little positive quotes to get you through the day- positioned perfectly on my door, so I see them when I exit. I'm still trying to find the perfect item to hang from the owl door hooks!

All three items from a bespoke shop in my town- Fifth Corner (Items may be able to be sourced from Sass and Belle)

I've always wanted a throw at the end of my bed. It makes your room all the more cosy. I love the patchwork throws available but searched long and hard to find the perfect pastel theme one. It has a wonderful scallop hem and now you can purchase matching pillows!

Patchwork Throw-Primark £17.00

I have really enjoyed sourcing cushions from all over the place, visualizing what it will all look like in my head and being overly satisfied with the results. I know cushions like this should be for display only, but the blue cushion is the reason for many comfy nights sleep! 

"All you need is love" cushion-Asda £7/8.00

Fluffy heart cushion-Primark £3.00

Bunting cushion cover- Dunelm £5.00

Blue cushion- Ikea £6.00

I wanted my cushions to be the focal point so went for a plain white duvet with simple lace detailing. It isn't the most practical colour for a duvet but it looks super chic when crisp white. 

Lace trim duvet-Primark £11.00 

I've always been one to take pictures wherever I go. They capture a split second and allow you to keep it forever. Half of my bedroom walls were filled to the brim with photo's but I felt it started to look scruffy, with the peeling edges and discoloured images. I needed a way to continue displaying my favourite pictures and what was better than a piece of string and cute crafty pegs?

Pegs- Hobbycraft £1.00

String-Hobbycraft £3.00

Yay, I created a feature wall. I loved the idea of using mismatched frames to create a centerpiece. I really love the idea of different sizes, colours, textures and styles but I wanted my feature wall to be predominately white to match my theme. I kept the patterns subtle and hope to build on it as the months go on. 

Wooden heart frame-Matalan £3.00

Love frame-Asda £2.00

Cut out floral frame-Ikea £4.00 each

Pink and grey floral frame-Ikea £4.00

Rope frame-Dunelm £4.99 sale  

Selection of plain white frames- Ikea £2.00-£4.00

Another main element of my room, is the decoration on my bedside table. The main feature is the stunning flash camera lamp. It was the first thing I got for my room and is such a unique and bold piece. My love for cacti is also displayed. I do not know what gave me the idea to put a cactus in a polar bear mug but I love the juxtaposition! 

Black camera lamp- Debenhams £55.00

Polar bear mug-Debenhams £7.00 

Glass milk bottle-Ikea 60p-£1.00

Orange flower- Wilkinson's 60p-£1.00

Cactus in pot-Wilkinson's £1.50

White shelf-Ikea £2.00

"Enjoy the little things" glass picture-Bespoke home ware shop £2.00

There is a tiny gap between my drawers and mirror, which is the perfect place to store some things ( I have so much, every possible storage element in my room, is filled to the brim). Here is just a little mishmash of items, that i think look quite nice together. 

Ed Sheeran "A visual Journey"- Tesco's £9.99

"The Curious Baretender"- Birthday Present 

2015-2016 diary-Tesco's £1.25

"I have the simplest tastes" box-Fifth Corner (bespoke shop) £6.00 sale

Tea light holder-Primark £1.50

Tea bag holder (used as a ring dish)-Dunelm £1.99

Perfect picture to put inside a television box. "Let me out!"

Television box photo frame- Pink Squirrel (bespoke shop) £1.00 sale

Button M- Handmade

I needed somewhere in my room that I could put a mirror and add some other little items. I found this wonderful little stall and let it all take shape from there. This gorgeous parrot vase is going to be for my uni room but I couldn't leave it in storage till then.

Dark wood stall- Ikea £20.00

Converse Plant-A gift 

Wooden M-Matalan £3.00

White framed mirror-Matalan £8.00

Pin up doll pot-Asda £3.00

Parrot Vase-Marks and Spencers £29.50

Floral folder-Tescos £2.00

Cactus Pen- Ale-Hop (in Spain) approx. £1.50

The newest edition to my room (my room has been almost ready since May) is this wonderful cream 3D rose light. I would love to have a HUGE chandelier but my room is far too small. This is the perfect substitute, it's subtle and pretty! 

Rose lampshade- Dunelm £9.99

The final item is this tiny plaque that my Mum bought me the other day. It is such a strong message to send to someone. I may be going to Uni and facing a number of challenges but the most important thing is to bee myself. I love the bright yellow background and bee pun, as lame as it is!

Bee plaque-Sass and Belle £1.99

I took a slight gamble blogging about something else, so I hope you enjoyed it! I will be doing another 'tour' of homeware items once I have moved into my uni room. Thank-you for reading yet again...

Mollie Woodley 

xxxx