Something short

Have you ever taken a deep breath so carelessly that nothing matters

There's not a worry on your mind and you're finally at peace with yourself

When did it become so hard to give yourself the benefit of the doubt?

When did your thoughts become so complex,

you've forgotten how to comprehend them.

When was the last time you looked in the mirror and appreciated the 

reflection looking back

Before you started imagining those dotted lines around your body

the physical elements you'd kill to change.

Have you ever looked deeper than the reflection

and stopped only looking skin deep.

When did making the mirror happy become such a priority and 

when did the acceptance of others become greater than the acceptance of

ourselves

Your inner strength is your outter foundation.

5 easy ways to feel good about yourself

Have you gotten yourself in that nasty rut which you know in the back of your mind you don't want to be in but for some reason can't pull yourself out of? High five, me too! 

I've gotten into that disgusting phase of 'letting yourself go' it tends to come with having a new boyfriend you feel comfortable around who's trying to fatten you up, or you just lack a bit of self esteem and energy to do anything about it (which happens to everybody, nothing to be ashamed of). 

Now Christmas is coming, winter is dawning in on us fast, layering clothes and big bulky coats are starting to become an every day essential.
I always find I get into an unhealthy fatty rut round this time of year, it's a little inevitable - all the best foods come out this time of year (I seen mince pies the other day), people buy you boxes of chocolate for Christmas and you just want to have a hot take away and stay in all warm and cosy every weekend.
However if all this is sounding familiar - don't fret pet; you don't have to drown your sorrows just yet.

What's that one thing you've always wanted to do but have given up on or made the lame excuse of 'haven't got the time'? Stop procrastinating and just do it! 

Even if it's something so trivial you'll feel better for seeing it through. You have nothing to lose, and it might be one of the most rewarding feelings of your life if you just get to it.
- So if it's rearranging out your bedroom, knitting a Christmas jumper for yourself or even sorting out some important finical issues.. Get it done and out of your mind, it's one less thing to think about! 

Keep/ get active - even though the 'slob' months are here, joining your local gym or going swimming for even an hour a week will make you feel a million times better about yourself.
We all need to stop being a bit lazy... A fit body, is a happy mind!
Only you know yourself how you truly feel about your appearance/ physique - but only you have the power to change that. It might be hard at the beginning but just keep thinking of the results! 

"Exercise releases endorphins and endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands" - Elle knows! 

Stay social - I find it's more acceptable to stay home now it's getting colder especially of a weekend, the fire place seems more enticing that a bar and your dressing gown seems more intriguing than the new dress you just bought - however, you don't want to isolate yourself, keep your social calendar busy and your mind active. You can fall into a nasty pattern if you decide to keep yourself in all the time, it can become depressing. I understand not every body has money to go out all the time, and some weekends you just don't want to! That's fair enough, every body goes through this.
But if you're starting to notice a pattern in your routine, maybe getting out and changing it up a bit might make you feel a little better?

Hobby - a great way to keep your mind and physical self busy.
Try something new that you've always wondered about, what's the worst that can happen? Hobbies don't have to be completed and you're in control, however give something new ago, you might just surprise yourself.
I have a huge love for cooking but I'm quite lazy - however the days I do put in the effort I feel so motivated because I've done something for me, something I enjoy - there's no shame in being a bit selfish with your time and just doing something for you.

Everything in moderation - now I'm a lover of take away, chocolate, crisp and other junk food especially in the winter, but it can become a dangerous cycle which can leave you feeling rubbish about yourself inside and out.
Over the summer I was obsessed with fresh fruit juices which I made every morning and I don't know why/ when I decided to stop making them.
They're so quick and simple to make. Just because the sun isn't shining doesn't mean you can't make yourself some fruity drinking, they really cleanse your body.
The way I'm starting to see it - if I do a small work out (you don't want to push yourself too much) and eat quite healthy. Then I deserve that bar of chocolate or those crisp.
You won't feel so guilty for treating yourself if you've 'earned' it.

Let me know if you're in the same 'rut' as I am right now and what you're doing to try improve yourself! Do you have any tips for me that I haven't mentioned? I'd love to know!

Thanks for reading my loves - 

Never give up on yourselves. 

Change is acceptable and routine is admirable.

TTFN

xxx

A thank you from me to you

I want to keep this very short and sweet.

I would just like to say a massive thank you to everybody who's read my blog over the past couple of months - I checked my stats today and 5000 of you have taken the time out of your day to read something I've had an interest in writing about, and that's amazing!

Whether you've only read a couple, or all it doesn't matter - I am very grateful to anybody who's read it at all and I hope you know that!

It may not seem a massive deal to you, but I started this blog when I was in a very dark place and it was a personal outlet for me to use.

I did not think a couple of months later there would even be 5 of you who have read it.

Keep the views coming guys and I'll keep the posts coming, hopefully they'll get better and better each time.

But this was just a short post, to say thank you to the 5000 sets of eyes who've clicked my link and read what I've got to say. 

There will be more exciting posts coming I feel now the festive season is upon us, so keep an eye out for them if you're interested. 

Also maybe even a VLOG (video - log) or two. 

But until next time guys, thank you so much, really.

MWAH 

x

A guide to an awesome Autumn!

I'd just like to paint you a picture right now - it's a really miserable typical British day and I'm sat in my boyfriends bedroom whilst he's in work and I am singing 'Elton Johns - Step into Christmas' carol at the top of my voice, because it's my all time favourite Christmas song, and Christmas songs are now acceptable to sing I feel.

For the longest time I can remember my favourite seasons are Autumn and Winter, I absolute hate Spring and Summer. I don't know if it's because at one point I was convinced I was Wednesday Addams (anybody who went to school with me, will confirm that). 

And so typically I wasn't into colour, or sun for that matter. So the colder more dark times are definitely my favourite. (I'm well aware I'm Kirstie now though, don't worry).

I feel like you should put Step in to Christmas on too really loud and sing a long whilst you read this blog post so we can all be as happy as I am right now. 

So a guide to Autumn? 

It's not a hard one but something I definitely getting enjoyment writing about, first off the fashion - I might be being bias as I'm not one for bright colours but I'm sure some of you will agree the fashion (clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery, etc) are a million times better and more exciting in the autumn, winter seasons. Plus I love layers - a good hat, scarf and gloves never fail.

The darker nights

Now when you were little I'm sure just like me it scared you when the days got darker sooner, also it was an absolute nightmare trying to get out your bed for school in the morning when it's still dark and cosy. But now I'm older I really appreciate the darker days - just cuddle up with a good film or a good book and a hot brew.

Another good reason to enjoy them; pamper nights! Now the day is getting darker sooner you tend not to go out as much especially because it's getting colder too. What a perfect reason to take a gorgeous Lush bath and just relax with some candles and bubbles. 

(The perfect pamper night - here)

Dark nails and dark lipstick

This is possibly the Wednesday coming out in me, but I enjoy darker nail varnishes over neons or pastels. As pretty as they are, I feel a lot cleaner/elegant with darker nail varnish. 

(Or maybe I'm just a closet goth)

MUST HAVE COLOURS:

Essie - Wicked 

O.P.I - Lincoln Park after dark 

Also a strong lip never goes a miss either - pale skin, winged eye liner, rosy cheeks and dark lipstick -perfecto! 

HALLOWEEN!

I've noticed girls go more ape shit over Halloween than boys, but who doesn't love a reason to dress up with their friends, get very drunk and if you can still get away with it - go Trick or Treating! 

Or even having a house party with your friends and playing all the games you used to play with your parents when you were little - they never get old. 

Also who doesn't love chopping up a pumpkin and getting frustrated when it's face looks stupid, just stupid. 

Have you got your costume sorted? Times ticking dear!

Hot Chocolate!

My all time fave drink (obviously it just had to be). Not long now before it's red cup season and Starbucks bring out their cups - however does anyone else feel they should up their game after Costa's last year? 

Still stupidly excited for it though! - I know you are too!

Bonfire night

Unfortunately this will only really apply to my Liverpool/Aigburth readers but who's excited to go to Sefton park this year and then get a bag of chips on the way home? I am!

I'm sure where ever you're watching them this year it will be magical. You can never get bored of fireworks and it's such a great excuse to wrap up cute and go out with all your friends and watch something that only usually happens once a year. Also trying to write your name with a sparkler! - Eeeeek!

The crisp leaves

Now I know this is the old woman coming out in me, however I adore a walk in the autumn when your toasty but your nose is freezing and bright red, and you just appreciate all the tree's looking bare but beautiful with your feet shuffling through the piles of leaves on the floor. 

I live very close to a massive park so I enjoy taking my camera out and taking some very beautiful photos and I'm sure most of my fellow photography students also enjoy this!

Winter films

Who doesn't love cuddling up in their fave onesie or over sized jumper, with some slipper boots on - a hot chocolate to hand with the fire roaring, candles lit, curtains closed and snuggling down to your favourite autumn/winter/christmas film?

My faves: The holiday (JUDE LAW PLEASE), Love actually, ELF, The Hogfather, Home Alone 1,2 & 3, The Grinch, Hocus Pocus, Polar express, the Harry Potter collection, Frozen, About a boy and many more!

What's your favourite? Please give me some to watch this year. 

"Buddy the Elf, what's your favourite colour"?

My instagram bio reads:

'Writing, blogging, hot chocolate, porridge, open fires, cups of tea and coffee, cottages, arm chairs & the country side - 20 going on 60' 

So that probably tells you a lot about myself. I've always been winter girl at heart, I don't like being hot or the sun. I prefer layers, boots, cute scarf and hat sets plus SNOW! Yes, give me some snow!

What's your favourite time of the year? Are you looking forwards to everything I've mentioned?

Keep your eyes open because I have a lot of winter/festive posts planned including winter wonderland, recipes, cute decorations and present guides. 

Hope you're well my loves - you now have permission to turn Elton off!

Until next time

TTFN

xxx

Email: kirstiesarah@hotmail.com

Twitter: @_kirstiehowarth

Instagram: Kirstie_howarth 

X

Gender equality

Before people start rolling their eyes and beginning to think I'm trying to become the next Emma Watson, brace yourself - I'm not. I think I've watched Watson's very emotional and inspirational speech twice now and even with that obvious nervous frog snug in her throat, the speech itself was very moving and powerful.

I wanted to keep this post short, we all know I like my rants!
I often try to keep my eyes and ears open a lot of the time, I'm generally inquisitive and curious and since I spend a lot of my time doing research for my blog or on other blogs, I have the pleasure to see and read a lot of things floating around the net.

Now I wouldn't say I am a naive person, I don't exactly live under a rock either. I have my wits about me - just like you too. However Watson's speech shocked me, more than I thought when I initially began watching it. I don't know if that's because here in the UK gender equality isn't as extreme as other place's such as China, India and Africa. I'd say we have it pretty good - it's our race equality this country needs to work on I'd say - but that's a different blog post, on different topic for a different day. 
Just her figures and research were so on point and dramatic (but true) is what I'm sure shocked me the most.

- However something that has upset me since Watson's speech is the way men have reacted. I got very angry because I was seeing very undermining status' on my Facebook feed such as: 

"Well done Emma Watson, well done... i fully agree with... whatever it is your sayin sweetheart, you just carry on with what you think is best. Youve clearly got alot of lovley thoughts rattlin around in that pretty little noggin of yours. Now you jus' get back to charms class and let Harry do all of the heavy lifting and dark wizard thwarting."

And "Emma your too attractive to be worrying about big boy issues"

I doubt the 'boys' who wrote those status' even read this blog let alone this blog post, however if you are reading: are you having a laugh? Please read over what you've written, think about it and then tell me you could stand up in front of the united nations and provide a better more moving speech with a powerful re-enforcement behind it. 

I'll try wrap this up, I don't want this to become me shouting at men and naming and shaming peoples status'; all you men who think women are beneath you and don't deserve equal rights - please remember it was a woman who brought you into this world. Created you and cared for you in her womb, raised you. Unless you're a homosexual - one day you're going to fall in love with a woman. 
If you have a wife and a daughter are you going to look at them in a way that you're better than them?

Obviously Watson made all the massive points, which I can't even come close to trying to write them some justice so I won't. I'm also not trying and make myself sound like a huge crazy, man hating feminist and have 4chan threaten me too.

I just urge you all to go watch the video and take on board what she is saying, I'll leave the link underneath and you can look in to it for yourselves.

I'll leave this post at that. I know nothing I said was very inspirational - it wasn't supposed to be, just a acknowledgement for something that's gotten to me recently.

I really hope #HeForShe makes the difference in the world that it's aiming to make and until next time my loves - take care and play nicely towards each other!

TTFN
xxx

EMMA WATSON'S SPEECH