Refresh

Sometimes you just need a life refresh.. A thought that came to me as I was getting my hair done last Thursday as I sat in the chair and my hairdresser Wayne 'freshened up' my balayage.

I feel like I'm currently completely refreshing my life, work wise especially. Between finishing up jobs and starting a new one, I don't know wether I'm coming or going. I've been in the same job for three years now. The job that kept afloat through college and has been the biggest laugh to work in. It was in a pub- I have collected countless amounts of glasses, countless amount of plates, moaned a countless amount of times about how messy people are and have spent countless minutes hiding up in the corners of the pub chatting with my coworkers. This is the place that I'm comfortable in, I know the ropes, I know where everything is, if you have a question, I'll most likely know the answer to it. 

Starting somewhere new is daunting to say the least, I'll be going from knowing the place inside out to being thrown into a new environment where I'll have to learn it all all over again. But I think it is time for that, to get out of my comfort zone and try something new. This is the place I need to be right now and I know that.

Similarly, my hair went through a little refresh of its own. I hadn't gotten my hair done since January I believe and my ends were ratty and colour was faded. Getting your hair done can make you feel like a new woman, how do the hairdressers make your hair feel so soft and look so perfect?! Teach me your ways is all I have to say on that.

I recently paid a visit to Wayne Webster hair salon who freshened up my dull locks. The salon is located very conveniently overlooking Grafton Street with it's entrance on South King Street. Believe me when I say you don't need a magazine when you're in this salon- between people watching on Grafton Street and chatting to Wayne himself, the atmosphere in the salon was just lovely. Wayne prides himself on a great personalised experience for all of his clients, ensuring they get what they want with fabulous service in between. Wayne topped up my balayage, toning down some of the copper tones and brightening up some bits, making my hair the blondest it has ever been. He also cut two inches off the ends, I can't even explain how needed that was, it made all the difference to my hair. I can't thank Wayne enough for the refresh, it was much needed.

Make sure to check out Wayne Webster Hair on Facebook and drop into his salon for a quick consultation.

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The Wedding Guest Dress That You CAN Wear Again

Going to a wedding? Then look no further.

I absolutely love weddings, they're a great excuse to get together and have a good time. They are all so beautiful and happy, I actually shed a few tears at my last wedding as the bride and groom had their first dance to 'Can't Help Falling in Love with You' by Haley Reinhart.. SO CUTE.

I have been to two weddings in my life, I don't know how people do it if they get invited to weddings all the time because the struggle to try and found an outfit is real.

When I went to a wedding a few weeks ago, I struggled to find something to wear. I found myself scouring ASOS and Missguided for wedding guest dresses that I knew I couldn't justify. I did so much research that I even did a 'Wedding Guest Outfit Ideas' post because there is so much out there. As a student though, my budget was tight and spending €60 on a statement dress that I knew I would never wear again just wasn't an option.

I wanted a dress that I knew I could wear again, a versatile dress that would suit a wedding that I could change up my shoes, bag and jacket and it would look like a completely different outfit. One that I could wear on holiday, on a sunny day and a night out.

This one from Cari's Closet does the trick, it is called the 'Sophia'* dress and it is absolutely gorgeous. Can we appreciate that it is only €20 too?

Student friendly and suitable for more than just a wedding? I'll take that.

**Apologies for looking like a moody bitch in these photos, I can't even explain why I didn't smile at all hahah.

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The Shocking World of Facebook Groups

At this stage, I've become a bit of a Facebook group addict. Up until last year I had no idea that they even existed but now I'm fully invested and keep up with several groups daily.

Although I'm not an avid poster, I interact with posts when I see fit and mostly just sit back and take them all in.

For a long time I was just involved in the 'Irish Bloggers' Facebook group, 'Into the West Blogging Network' or 'Stellar Magazine' and a few more. The groups that I am apart of are helpful and beneficial, if you needed help you can get it. You can share your platform and these groups serve as a support network and community of people. There would be the odd disagreement but nothing major, everyone just brings each other up and helps each other out.

Up until last week when the world of Facebook groups got flipped upside down for me (sounds dramatic I know).

I found out about a Facebook group the other day where the members of this group openly discuss influencers on Snapchat. I was intrigued to say the least, so I requested to be added to the group and when I was accepted I was absolutely appalled. 

5,000 members in this group, mostly (like me) just there to view what others are saying I presume. This group is where people tear apart people on Snapchat.

Admittedly, it's not all bad, I saw a post the other day about how hilarious Pippa and Brian Dowling are together but for the most part it's bad.

Finding this group and reading the posts has angered me and upset me, I just don't understand it all. How anyone has the time to sit behind their computer and openly discuss someone's Snapchat account, picking apart every single thing they chose to share online. 

How someone could spend time out of their day to tear someone apart and start a negative conversation about a particular influencer with 5,000 people is beyond me. 

I knew influencer's got hate, but this is just insane.

What do you think about these Facebook groups? If you want to know the exact group I'm referring to just contact me on any of my social media links below and I'll be happy to share.

Top- Zara / Jeans- H&M / Bag- Topshop / Shoes- Vans

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How to Deal with Weight Gain in Your Twenties

Lets be honest, your twenties is when university/ work life hits, partying begins and the structured diets start to slide. In so many cases (with me included), weight starts to creep on and as generally this is the first time you really have to deal with it, it can be damn hard.

The month of March marked a year since my fitness downfall if you will and with my first smidge of exercise done since last summer, I feel it is time that I got my mojo back. Now I'd be lying if I told you I desperately wanted to go on a run (I really don't) but it is one of the ways I have dealt with gaining weight in my twenties. I'm here today to share with you how I in fact have dealt with my experience with weight gain.

A LITTLE BACKGROUND

Lets throw it back to 2014, in January I quit camogie and it was a sigh of relief. I didn't enjoy it anymore, or for a long time for that matter and the excuse of the Leaving Cert was my way out. Being my 8 stone something, 18 year old self I was the tiniest and most toned I had ever been and really didn't need the exercise to keep off the weight.

Fast forward to the beginning to mid 2015, I really started to put on weight. Now I blame both the contraceptive pill and an extremely bad diet however by the end of 2015 I was a bit of a fitness junkie. I was in the gym 4 times a week and loving every minute of it. I didn't have the diet to match, so I didn't see huge results but I toned up a bit.

March of 2016, I was at my fittest since my camogie days running 10km three or four times a week on top of gym sessions. For one reason or another I just stopped, a huge regret of mine and now I am ridiculously out of shape.

Summer 2016 was when I went to San Diego and a diet went off the wall. I was eating just an acai bowl/ a slice of pizza, a Twix and a can of Four Loko a day and I lost all tone that I ever had, understandably haha. It totally messed up my metabolism, my weight shot down but I wasn't healthy at all. When I arrived home it took me weeks to slowly ween myself onto actually eating meals and it is still an issue I'm dealing with today, I just can't eat the same amount that I used to.

*disclaimer* This was a ridiculous way of treating my body and not eating is definitely not the way to go about losing weight AT ALL. It messes up your body so much and is so so bad for you.. Learn from my mistakes!

After that disaster, I gained more weight than I ever lost and now I'm the heaviest I have ever been. I know everyone deals with body confidence and nobody is ever happy with their body, but it is time now to get my ass into gear and get running again if nothing else.

MY TIPS

Let's be honest, it is inevitable that when you hit your twenties you're going to gain weight. Some are blessed with high metabolisms but for most of us, we ain't that lucky. Here are my tips on how to deal with the weight gain.

Stop Comparing Yourself

Everyone's bodies are different so stop comparing yourself to your friends. Instagram models? Face the reality that their extremely edited photos and carefully posed shots just ain't reality. We are constantly presented with unrealistic body types in the media so it is up to you to ensure you don't imagine these figures as realistic. If you're looking to lose weight, use realistic images and role models on social media for motivation but avoid the others at all costs, you'll just end up feeling sorry for yourself later.

Exercise
Now this doesn't have to be strenuous! Going on a light jog or a walk with your friend does wonders. The endorphines that you get from it will boost your confidence and just make you feel better in general. I have found just going on light jogs have resulted in me feeling so much happier about my body, even though nothing has changed. Knowing that you're doing that little bit for yourself makes you feel amazing.

Try Different Styles and Dress for Your Size
Something that I found extremely difficult was not being able to fit into them tiny shorts I wore when I was 18 but it is something you have to grow accustomed to. Trying new styles and buying clothes that fit you properly can always enhance your figure and make you feel so good. If the jeans don't fit, just dump them because there is no point in trying to squeeze into them- it'll make you feel worse.

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3 Years of University | A Reflection and Lessons Learned

Monday gone I walked out of my final (well hopefully final) exam, which marked the end of my time at university. The three years went by in a flash and I actually cannot believe that I won't be hopping on the train for another mad semester in September. 

A little recap for those who may not know.. I studied Digital Media in Maynooth University, a three year course which combined Media Studies and Computer Science and everything in between. Despite my giving out about it and there being so many ups and downs, I overall had an absolute ball throughout my three years there.

As it was such a different time in my life I decided that today, I'd reflect and recap what I have learned in my three years.

It is not going to be everything you wanted it to be
University is a situation where generally people go in thinking 'this is it, finally something that I'm interested in and something I actually want to do'. While that might be half true, the reality is you may be made to study topics that bore you to no end or that you really can't get the hang of. I actually don't think I know anyone who is 100% happy with everything they are made do. However, don't let that put you off if you're heading in in September.. It all ties together in the end and you'll get so much out of it, more than you actually think at the time and learning what you don't like is equally as valuable as learning what you like.

Friends make the experience
For me, the endless McDonald's drive through runs and the hazy memories of tequila shots in the clubs lining Maynooth Main Street are the memories I won't forget. Something amazing about university is that you will meet a huge variety of people which leads me onto my next point..

Everyone is so open minded.
I have found university a time lead to my confidence soaring, and why you may ask? The amazing people around me. When in university, everyone is that bit more mature than secondary school, petty fighting is pushed to the kerb and everyone has your best interest at heart. This has allowed me to really find myself and be more confident. I haven't found many people (outside of the blogging community and my very close friends) who have been so unbelievably supportive and lovely about my blog. Maybe that's because we are studying Digital Media, but nonetheless, they're a good bunch.

It's going to be tough, but worth it.
Trying to juggle a social life, a job and the workload can be outrageously difficult. My advice would be to start assignments or studying early because all of the deadlines and exams just come at once (and they hit like a tonne of bricks).

I learned to make every moment count
Go in, chat with your friends, make new friends, say yes to things that come your way.

It's ok not to know what your doing..
.. Nobody does

Everyone will go their separate ways..
..And that's the sad truth. As I have mentioned, you learn what you want and don't want to do, career and life wise so once it all ends you all go in different directions.

Make the most of it
It is the one time where you can do outrageous things with no responsibilities and more freedom so make the most of it! I'm not saying work yourself to the bone, but keep busy earning money so you can travel during the summers and go out during the week if you want to. If you don't want that, thats cool too but keep yourself busy and do things that make you happy because you have nothing to lose and far more time on your hands than you will in the future. Some of the stories I could tell you are absolutely outrageous but we could get away with it.

So there you go, a reflection of my time at university, if you're only going in, enjoy every minute of it and although it is not for everyone, you won't regret making the most of it!

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