Things I've been thinking lately

Okay, okay I suck at blogging, I am a terrible blogger. I am going to try and write all of this weeks posts in advance so I fail less this week, but we'll see :P

I was thinking earlier of coming on here and writing something really inspirational and fluffy. But now I'm really tired so instead you are stuck with the hopeless wonderings of my tired mind...with some fluffy inspirational stuff sprinkled on top wherever I manage.

Recently, I've thought about inspiration and what makes someone inspirational. What are the requirements to being a good role model? How do we know whether someone's actions are inspirational, or just good? What causes us to want to be like someone else? It's got me wondering if I really should be comparing myself to other people that I admire, or if I should be spending more time on becoming the person I want to be. Perhaps instead I should be my own inspiration.

I've been looking back again, comparing the person I am not to a 6 months ago, a year ago, two years ago. I've discovered that actually, the changes I've made to my life and my way of thinking are quite inspirational, in the way that they drive me to continue evolving. For once, I can say that I am proud of the person I'm becoming, step by step, even if I stumble and relapse here and there.

Life is full of surprises they say, and I'm beginning to learn how true that is. On more than one occasion, I've blogged about how much people can improve an already awesome experience, and it's been a constant learning curve during the ups and downs of changing my lifestyle. I have many incredible people in my life who help me every day to remember to smile and keep positive, but right now I'd like to tell you about one in particular who has really shown me how quickly things can change.

A couple of months ago, my company took on a new recruit, and I was pretty excited as she was the first person anywhere near my age to join in a while. It took literally around 2 shifts before I realised that this girl was about to change my day to day life majorly. She kept cracking me up with the way she was so relaxed, and so unforgivingly confident and we actually clicked in no time. We were gossiping about our love lives, and getting to know that our backstories really weren't all that different. I invited her on a night out as she had never been to town and we laughed our hearts out from getting dressed in my room, to having to run for the train, to stumbling home with cheesey chips at 2am. Not long after that I got pretty sick with my appendicitis, and not only did she come to visit me in the hospital, but she organised a collection around work that bought me a lovely orchid plant, some chocolates and a card signed by all my colleagues. Since then, we've been joined at the hip, and generally spend most of our time cackling in the corner of the office like naughty school girls. I absolutely adore her and I couldn't imagine my life without her. As I posted on Facebook earlier, a friend that within a month of knowing you, runs to get you a bin, holds in front of you while you are sick, pushes your wet hair out of your face, and walks backwards down the stairs to keep the bin in front of you while you walk to an ambulance is a friend for life. I love you Sarah you munchkin <3

There's a few more lovely people that have cropped up from nowhere, one in particular recently (if you're mad enough to be reading this, big kiss to you!) that have helped remind me that you never know what's around the corner. Two years ago I would never have been brave enough to get to know any of these people, but I'm so glad I did because they serve as a constant reminder that only I can decide who I am, where my life goes and how I let my past affect me.

One last thought: the things that happened to you made you who you are today, and whether you are proud of them or not, you shouldn't regret them. However they don't have to shape who you become from now on, that is entirely your choice, so don't let anyone take it away from you.

Lots of love and happy thoughts

Puddy <3

Getting in the mood.

Christmas is here! I can't believe Christmas is here next week and I'm only just getting around to making a festive post. Even worse that I haven't posted a single festive video (or video at all for that matter) to my YouTube. But let's not discuss that, you didn't come here for a long rant about my hatred for technology.

I'm ching ching chinging (inside joke for any friends or long term readers of mine) and I want to share with you the things that have helped me to feel this way :) let's go!

1. Christmas music - ah the sweet sound of festivity. I know there are many people out there that say they hate Christmas music, I myself was once one of them, however I truly believe you just haven't found the right song yet. Everybody has one, at least, even if it's only very loosely included as festive. My ultimate song is The Pogues - Fairytale of New York. If you don't know this song, look it up right now (For over 13's only!), however if you are not from the UK don't expect to get it. I have never met an American who understands this being included as a Christmas song. This year I have found a song that almost tops The Pogues as my favourite though, and that is due mostly to the John Lewis Christmas advert. I urge you, listen to the song. Lily Allen - Somewhere Only We Know, I'm addicted. I actually bought the book because I love it so much. I don't have children, nor do I have any in my family. I'm saving it for my own kids. Love it.

2. Christmas adverts: Along the same lines, I actually really enjoy the adverts this time of year. Usually throughout the year when I rarely do switch on the tv, I just skip through any ad breaks. But this time of year they take a sweet and romanticised turn where they actually become enjoyable. Other than the Bare & the Hare which is obviously the best, I really like the Tesco Christmas advert, and also the full length Sainsburys Christmas in a day documentary, which makes me cry!

3. Christmas baking/food: I love any excuse to bake, and Christmas in general for me means lots of food! So baking has become a big part of our festivities. Every year, my nan brings a Mars Bar cheesecake, and in recent years I attempt to make themed cupcakes. I'm afraid this year though I may be a little too busy. I did however manage to introduce everyone to my nans traditional recipe at the work Christmas lunch, so I consider that a success.

4. Christmas movies: These are the best. Even though I now (mostly at least) watch the grown up ones that tend to make me cry, or that I can sit with a glass of wine, chocolate and watch feeling sorry for myself (Bridget Jones, Love Actually, The Holiday I'm looking at you). If you're looking for something a little more light hearted and childish, I have to recommend Arthur Christmas and The Guardians, highly enjoyed both of those. However for me this year, it's all about The Holiday. If you haven't seen it yet, get a move on!

Those are just a few of the things making me feel festive this year, what are yours?

Puddy <3

Do something amazing.

Hi all,

Just a quick post from me today, as the link I am about to send you has all the information you could possibly need. My friends and I are raising money for an amazing friend of ours to purchase a new, custom to her needs wheelchair. As one of the many things we will be doing, I am going to be bungee jumping on Sunday 09/02/14. As you all know, I am absolutely petrified of heights, and although bungee jumping for charity is on my 12-18 month bucket list, I have to say it was one of things I though least likely for my to achieve when writing it. Which is why it has come one of the first points I have targeted.

Please help us to reach our £1500 target and purchase the wheelchair of her dreams to give her back her independence. If you cannot afford to donate, or even if you can, don't fret! Just visit the link below to see how else you can help to spread awareness and otherwise get involved. Help us to change a life.

The link will be at the top of my blog until the campaign ends in January. Let's smash the target!

http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/anisah-s-new-wheels

Puddy <3

VIP fashion event? Count me in!

Well I remembered at last that this is meant to, at least in small part, be a fashion blog! Whoops! Recently with thanks to my friend Amy, I was invited to a VIP Spring/Summer range pre screening event with New Look. We travelled down to the New Look Head Office in London and prepared for an exciting day of clothes, free food and drink, and muchos fashion points. And I have to say, we were not disappointed. There were several items in the range that I am looking forward to seeing, I'll be really gutted if they don't make the final cut.

The idea was that these were the items they had chosen so far, but none of them were guaranteed to make it to the shelves as they tested them on their consumers. Everything had a tag on it, and we were to scan the tags of anything we really liked. We were also given comment cards, to drop in the boxes next to each little section, simple really. Amy and I must have scanned at least 50 items each, and really enjoyed getting to have a nose at what was coming up. Unfortunately, the food wasn't quite up to scratch, but we had a good laugh at my subtly trying to dispose of half eaten bits of food that I couldn't bring myself to finish. We were approached to complete a survey, and got to show some of our favourite bits, as well as some of the bits we weren't so keen on, and comment on what we thought the range was missing.

At the end of it, New Look gave us a rather impressive goodie bag, which consisted of a New Look reusable bag filled with a free pair of flip flops, a snood, a couple of bracelets, a New Look catalogue, a Look magazine, some sweets and a £10 New Look voucher. We also were given £5 for participating in the survery. I was very impressed by the freebies, and by how much attention New Look seemed to be paying to their customers opinions.

Well played New Look, well played. I now cannot wait for your Summer collection so I can spend all my money! Damn you.

Puddy <3

 What I wore to the event :)