Travel Essentials...

Hey Guys,

If you did not know this next Saturday I'm off to Sicily for about 4 days, to soak in some culture and sun before Easter.

The I'm so excited for this trip especially because I go on a plane. Now for some of you a plane is probably your worst nightmare and I am actually anxious about flying but it is counteracted with my excitement for just going on  a plane. This is probably because I've only been on around 2 plane journeys in my life, one to America when I was 9 and basically slept and watched movies the whole time and last summer to Spain, it was literally 2 hours long. Although this one is still only 3 and half hours long I'm still excited just to experience a plane ride again... ( although not the anxious part of it...)

So because of all this I thought I would share with you guys some of my essentials I am taking for travelling, if you don't fly often like me this could be helpful to give you some ideas of what is necessary.

Make-up

Here is literally all I'm bringing. Basics. Natural. quick. You don't want to be faffing about with a million different eye shadows you want to be out there in the sun. I use that palette for my eyes rather than eyebrows which is what it was made for but the palette has shimmer shades for your matte eyebrows. (am I the only one who finds this weird?) but I love it as it just has everything in one place. Lip balm SPF is a must if you are going somewhere hot, this Nivea one is hydrating and SPF 15, and is pretty good...

Cameras

I love the look of polaroids but unfortunately there are only 10 in each film package and I only have 18 photos left, so I went out a picked up a cheepy disposable camera, this has 27 photos and is much lighter, which means for the day I will take the disposable one and then for the evenings I have my big ass polaroid camera...

Pale Skin Protection....

I know, I know it is not summer but because I have pale, pale, fair skin which gets burnt by the slightest bit of sun... So I need to come prepared... Sun cream (factor 50 of course), Sunglasses to protect me from going blind in the sun ( literally I'm like a bat)


Lastly Revision...

I need to revise. I need to pass these exams. So yep. Bringing them notepads along..



I hope this helps... And I'll see you soon


Love,
LadyoftheRivers x

Happy International Women's Day!

Hey Guys

It is March the 8th which is INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!!

And for this I thought I'd share some women who inspire me, actions they've done which have inspired me and just generally girl power.

Before I start I am going say I am a feminist. Before you all sigh and think I'm like a man hater or something... I'm not.

Feminist means:  a collection of movements and ideologies that share a common goal: to define, establish, and achieve equal political, economic, cultural, personal, and social rights for women. This includes seeking to establish equal opportunities for women in education and employment.

Its for EQUALITY not for one gender above another....

And I just want everyone to have equal rights, I want girls all over the world to be free to go to school and as such become whomever they want to be and be paid the same as their male counterpart. I want men to feel like it's ok to be a midwife or a stay at home dad and I want men to realise it is not the women's job to cook and clean. And for rape culture to change. That's why I'm a feminist.

Ok so firstly

 

 

the Pankhurst family, Here is Emmeline, Christabel and Sylvia Pankhurst, they all fought individually and together with the suffragettes for Women's votes. I am in total awe of the suffragettes their actions, their bravery combined with their complete determination for the cause. If I am able to inspire people half as much as they did, I would be incredibly happy.

 

 

Secondly



 

 

I am reading Malala's book right now, and every page is inspiring, I would love to reach out to the Women without education as she has done. Her morals of education for everyone has opened my eyes to the lack of it, and I would love to change and work towards a brighter future, for both genders.

 

 

 





 

 

 

Carrie Hope Fletcher

 

she has inspired me I a different way, to be more confident, and as such I am able to talk about feminism with my friends, classmates and write this blogpost. This shows inspiration doesn't have to be directly about what you want to inspire but still can help you. As also shown with Lucy Worsley (another inspirational woman... )

 

 

 

I have so many more inspirational women, quotes and charities I would love to share with you guys, so if you do think that is something you would like to see leave and comment and even give me a follow if you want...

 

 

Anyway feminism is something close to my heart and something I have found incredibly helpful and inspiring in y life. And I hope you guys will too.

 

Love,

LadyoftheRivers x

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



How to... Conquer Winter

Hey Guys,

Even though Winter is one of my favourite seasons, I do sometimes fall out with it... especially when it gives cold weather but no snow... is it just me who finds this so disappointing... However, I have collected a sure-fire way to combat these Winter blues.

 1.  If it is snowing where you are... go and enjoy it ( maybe read this post first though...)  I`m so jealous of you if it snowing where you are, have fun!!

2. If like me, you are absent of snow and its drizzly and dark and cold. Go inside, turn on the heating/ light the fire. And put of some fairy lights. Already the world is a more brighter place... ( brighter, lights... get it?)


3. Candles

 

 Not lying guys if there was a candle rehab, I would have to go... I just love candles and how they smell so good... Here are a few of my favourites apart from the one in the class case ( M&S) they are all from St. Eval Candles ( website: www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk ) and they smell amazing... In winter they make me feel so cosy, it is like having a tiny fire without the smoke and wood... Lovely.

4. The hot beverages...

Whether you love a good cup of tea or something a little bit more awakening like coffee hot drinks are a must. My personal favourite has to be the classic hot chocolate... it just feels like a warm hug in mug. Hot drinks are amazing warm ups, from the inside out. Add in a blanket and your as snug as a bug in a rug. Literally. They have got to be a staple when trying to survive the winter.

 Here we have got classic British tea, hot chocolate or herb teas ( this ones is a soothing nigh time blend) - What do you drink?

5. You cant have a drink without a mug...

 

 My mugs are loud and in some cases ridiculous... These are a few of my mugs from the left, Cyber man mug specially used when doctor who is on or when I just want to let my inner Whovian out, then my Votes for Women ( which unfortunately had to be repaired when my dad dropped it and broke the handle off), I l-o-v-e this mug as I am a feminist and really do look up to the suffragettes as the fighters against inequality. My most flamboyant mug has to be my lefties mug, a friend got it for me from America in a Left-handed shop ( they have a special name I think) and it is massive, colourful has legs on the bottom and it is all about how Lefties Rule... And as a leftie... I strongly agree. Lastly a beautiful mug from Emma Bridgewater ( her mugs are incredible, some of the designs are so pretty and they are a really good size Website: www.emmabridgewater.co.uk) which says 60 years a queen which I like to think is me, a queen whose wisdom stretches beyond her 16 years... ( Maybe?)

6. Extra Warmth, Personally for this step I like to use this little one who comes and sits on me while I`m watching a movie... But if you do not have a cat/dog/rabbit/an warm bloodied small animal that is willing to sleep on you then you can uses a hot water bottle.

 

 6. Now all of this would be pointless without a cracking film. Here are some of my personal favourites... Just feel good fabulous films that make me leave with a laugh, a smile or a little bit of tears. By watching these feeling all warm and cosy makes winter completely worth it for me.

 

 

I now just want to watch every single one of these films even though I`ve seen them hundreds of times... But first I need to just boil the kettle....

 

 

Hope you enjoyed this, Do you guys like winter and what's your winter staples?

 

 

Love,

Lady of the Rivers x

The five books I swear by.

Hey Guys,

I love books, and through my sixteen years on this planet I have collected a mini library. However, instead of boring you all with the long winded explanation of each book in my bookshelf, I thought I`d share my top 5 books that I have read again and again...

Firstly The White Princess by Philippa Gregory.
Wow. A Tudor book. How did I know at least one historical book was going to pop up. This is honestly my favourite book from Philippa Gregory. It tells the story of Elizabeth of York wife of Henry VII. It follows her being accused of plotting, have to make decisions whether to turn against her children and deciding where he loyalty lies. I absolutely love this book and if your just getting into history try it... Honestly.

Next Chinese Cinderella by Adeline Yen Mah.
The story behind this book was I got it free from a magazine called Puffin Post, which was a magazine that let it subscribers pick out a free book every month. This was my first one. I loved it. It is about a girl who`s birth killed her mother and as such is shunned by her family, when her father remarries she is still seen as worthless even though she is the cleverest child at her school, this book follows the true story of Adeline. Her writing ,for me, is mesmerising and I could not recommend it enough.


The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Now before you roll your eyes and mutter "hipster". This book is not only wonderfully written but touches on subjects I have faced in my life and as such I almost use this to comfort myself and just to reassure myself Charlie and his family got through so can me and mine. This book makes me laugh, cry and cringe inwardly almost at the same time. It is such a good little read....

Everyday by David Levithan
When this went on a circle around my friends, I was itching to get it back. I love the idea of this book and because its so well written I often find myself waking up going... Am I A today? or even walking down the street looking at people going are you A? That is how much the story of this book grabs me. If you want just a book that will make you feel  everything...... then this is it.. Kudos to you David Levithan.


Last but by no means least Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan
This book. This series, This blooming author. Has made me obsessed with myths behind the story.  I basically knew nothing about the Greeks until I read the book 4 years ago at the recommendation of a friend and now I`m doing Greeks at A-levels... The characters are so addictive and you end up needing to know what happened next... me and my friend are a little obsessed with the two series he has written ( the second series is honestly amazing as well although its on my kindle or I would have added it in). I could go on about this book all day but all I`m going to say right now is read then come back and we can talk about Percabeth...


Hope this gives you inspiration on what to read next, let me know yours in the comments


Love,

LadyoftheRivers x

And the award for the most clumsiest person goes too....

Hey Guys,

I have a secret. I am the clumsiest person ever to walk the face of the earth. If there`s a door ajar or even closed... I will walk into it. If there is a slight dip or raise of the pavement. I will fall over it.

Which is bad, as right now in Britain. It`s cold... which means ice. And as any fellow clumsy knows ice equals danger. I found this out a few years ago when me and my friend were sliding on the ice in our no-grip-shoes ( I know I was flirting with danger... what can I say I was a wild kid). When all of a sudden she gave me a push, which meant I fell over and... cracked my front tooth in half. Yep. Clean in half. Since then I`ve always been wary of the slippery power of the ice. But so far ,touch wood, the rest of my teeth are all intact and ,apart from the odd bruise, there has been no other major ice disaster.

This is just one story, I have countless stories where one of my teachers lays out their desks in such a way that I never go a lesson without tripping over at least one table leg.

And then there`s the dreaded "friend trip" where your with a group of friends that seem to be made from grace and elegance and just glide through life... and then there`s me. The one who trips over everything. so when I get up I am greeted with the dreaded look of bewilderment and confusion about how I can do it.

It is just a skill I have...

Love,
Lady of the Rivers x

Finding happiness

Hey Guys,

Exams are approaching at warp speed... ARGHHH. So in light of that I am off out searching for things that make me happy, just to try and ease the stress...

1. Chocolate. aka food from the gods. At the moment I am loving having a tiny bit of dark chocolate when I come home form school kind of like a reward for completing the day.

2. 5 seconds of summer. This band makes me so happy, if I am having a rough day I just go on Spotify and get them on ( or Fall out boy) and I am in a much better mood. I love everything about these four: their music, personalities, everything... ( Although Ashton is my favourite... It`s the hair...)

3. Youtube. If I have had a rubbish day, when I get home I`ll watch one of my favourite videos ( Dan and Phil photobooth challenge or anything by Jack Howard) and suddenly I just feel so much better cause even if its for 5 minutes I am distracted.

4. My cat. Even though he can sometimes be a dick, he is just the cutest ball of stupidity and fur...

5. My family... I know cheesy, but if I have had a bad day, yes they can be the most annoying people ever but a hug  and a mug of hot chocolate later and I am back to my sarcastic self.

6.  Make it or Break it. The. Best. Show. Ever. I have literally been obsessed with this using my brother`s free Netflix trial I almost got through the last series, then the trial ended... boo. So now I am in the lurch.... I don't know if Lauren gets better or if Payson, Jordan or Kayile get into the Olympic team....

7. Naps. These have been overlooked for the longest time. At school in break I get down under my desk pilling up my coat and jumper into a pillow, put on some slow music ( Amnesia or The Call are personal favourites) and have ten minutes of eyes closed and relaxing time. Absolute bliss.

8. Belting out song lyrics and bringing out my best dad moves. I know there is that sciencey reason behind this as listening to music releases endorphins. But there is just something so satisfyingly happy about dancing and singing like no one is watching.


These are a few of my favourite things (might have just sung Sound of Music there) to do when I am feeling down, I hope this helps if any of you are feeling down.

Love,
Lady of the Rivers x