A few days away in Brighton

After returning to work after my summer holiday I had a serious case of the holiday blues!

I was questioning my current role in my career and life plan all together.Just being a miserable B****

So I booked myself and my mum a couple of days in away to Brighton 😊

60 miles from the hustle of the city and away from daily realities.

Theirs  something about the sound of the sea and the seagulls that is so calming.

We stayed in the Amsterdam hotel which with a sea view and balcony over looking the pier was the best view to wake up too.

Just spending my time with my mum walking around the uniquely beautiful lanes and exploring all the hidden treasures that Brighton offers.Discovering coffee shops with yummy treats.

Of course eating fish and chips and drinking jugs of pimms on the pier in the sunshine is optional and weather permitting 😂 I highly recommend!!

I could have spent hours sipping my coffee on the beach looking out to the sea thinking about life and what makes me happy.

"Brighton really did brighten my spirits" Sometimes a few days spent using social media to a minimum is also great,if maybe your feeling in a bit of a funk like me or as I have described as my "quarter life crisis "

But now I guess back to reality and at least I'll be going back with a smile on my face and memories of a lovely few days 😘

Until next time .......

Carla XOXO

Self Love

Most of my teenage/adult life I'm 21 this year 😱which is so crazy it's scary.I amongst thousands even millions of other people am self conscious.

People are far to busy with their own lives to be looking what your  doing!

I'm always putting my self down about my appearance and comparing myself on social media.

So many things in my life are put on hold,for when I get to my goal weight.Its like I'm expecting to get to a certain weight and become happy and confident! I've been my goal weight before and that was not the case I still wasn't happy with my appearance.

Anyway going off track.As I'm getting older I'm more body conscious than ever,however I have a slightly different outlook and I'm more interested in being fit and healthy.

Whilst I've been away on holiday in Greece,Where I am currently sat around a pool writing this post.

I could be sat around the beach in my swimwear sweating to death as I'm covered up in a towel or I could embrace what I have in my lovely tankini set.

Of course at the back of my mind theirs the devil saying "everyone's looking at you because your huge" when really no ones  looking at me or judging me for what I look like.Or even if they are their judging eyes aren't going to affect my day!

I'm not embarrassed to say that I know I am on the larger side and always admit it in a jokey way that I'm huge but I'm healthy and strong so why am I complaining.

Our bodies are the only ones we're going to have and yes we can change them but maybe their not so bad as they are and we should be proud! 

We're all so harsh on ourselves and should love our bodies more for all the good they 

do for us!

I'm really interested in learning more about self love so if anyone has any tips or book recommendations,I'd love to hear from you!

Thank you 

Carla X

Making a pact with myself

Making a pact with myself to have monthly check ins with myself,to see if I've achieved anything: if I'm happy with people who I'm surrounded by and how my mental health and wellbeing are,to see if I'm closer to reaching my goals.

To cut down on social media and stop comparing myself to others,or be influenced by other peoples lives.

To wear what I want and to be more optimistic and nice to everyone I meet,to try and be a sunshine on someone's day.

Carla 😊

Tangled / PT 2

I'm 2015 I did a blog post labelled Tangled,to sum it up it was about being confused or overthinking.

For a while now I've been feeling really down so I thought I would extend on the subject.

Our feelings and emotional well being are personal and sometimes quite a touchy subject that can be painful to talk about. As we as human beings don't like opening up and being vulnerable.

In my opinion if we all talked about our feelings more often,then some of us may be reassured in knowing it's ok to feel not great, that we're not alone.

Otherwise your left with only your own worries of tangled emotions swishing around in your brain almost like a washing machine spinning around all day long.

I'll be ok and then find myself feeling sad and unfulfilled and questioning every life decision I've made.I compare myself to everyone on social media who is my age and how amazing their careers are as apposed to mine.

Please let me know if you feel even similar in the slightest.

Do you think we should talk about our emotions more ?

Carla X

Girl Boss Netflix Review

I want more.....Girl boss I physically need more Sophia in my life.

I'm praying that there are many more seasons to come.

Well that was emotional.I feel like I'm in a new chapter of my life now.

I have just spent my weekend watching Girl Boss season one.13x30 min episodes = 6.5 hours of my life watching a Netflix series and I don't regret a second of it.

Wow that all just blurted out into words!Get if together Carla.

Inspired

Motivated 

Fun

Ambitious are just a few words used to described my emotions whilst watching Girl Boss.

"Sophia, an anarchist misfit, discovers a passion for fashion, becoming an unlikely businesswoman in the process. As her business grows, however, she has to learn to cope with life as her own boss."

Britt Robertson fitted the part perfectly and she is one of my favourite Actresses so I was even more obsessed.

Girl boss is a greats series for Teenage/young adults to show them to never stop dreaming,you are capable of anything you desire.

I feel really empowered and am definitely going to buy Sophia Amaruso Girl boss book.

GIRLS ROCK

The show really connected with me and I feel passionate about it. I've been thinking a lot lately about my career and to start acting on my dreams,as times only passing by.

What's even more awesome is that the show is actually based loosely off of real events that happened to Sophia.

"Adulthood is where dreams go to die"

I would 100% recommend Girl Boss to you and I see a future for more series.

Now it's time for me to start working on my dreams and for me to be a #GIRLBOSS

Have you read girl boss ?

"Love you in case I die!" 

Carla X

Am I A True Sagittarius ?

All credit to the idea of this post to @ellamaygarrett 

https://ellamaygarrett.com/2017/04/17/am-i-a-true-libra/

Let's see if I live up to being a true Sagittarius according to zodiac signs.

Strengths 

1- Generous 

2-Idealistic 

3-Great sense of humour 

I would like to say that I am generous as I love giving presents and helping people out whenever I can.

In terms of idealistic,100%.I am such a daydreamer and at times can be slightly unrealistic.Sometimes my mind can go to places and I'm like where on earth did that come from.

What's the fastest cake in the world ? ........  Scone and when I've eaten it,it's scone :) 

So you could say I have a great sense of humour.I can be very childish sometimes but it makes me laugh so that's good ahah.

Weaknesses 

1-Get bored easily 

2-Careless

3-lack patience

All I can say is YES! I get bored so easily.

I can't agree with being careless and would say I worry to much to be careless.

Hmm lack patience.It would have to depend on what situation,I'm very patient with people and if I'm trying to do something and I can't,I might have a bit of a huff but I won't stop until it's done.

Sagittarius in a nut shell

"Sagittarius seem to be guided by luck, good things happen to Sagittarius and this is usually because of their optimistic outlook and positive disposition which attracts good fortune. Despite hardships, Sagittarius is always optimistic that good things will happen tomorrow and the future carries good luck. Sagittarius have a vibrant, expansive personality that is free like a bird, Sagittarius cannot be contained. They are full of curiosity and they always look forward to the future, never dwelling on the past. Sagittarius are detached from emotions because emotions hold a person back, they do not like to talk about their feelings, they simply experience them and move on. Sagittarius can be reckless and irresponsible because they will jump at a suggestion of something new before they weigh the advantages and disadvantages"

I do always try to be optimistic and look to the future,I'm a very curious person too.

I agree with some aspects with my zodiac sign.

I also use an app called Daily horoscopes,where I read my horoscope for the day. NOT AN ADD

Thank you to Ella for creating this fun post!

What star sign are you ?

Carla x

Disneyland Paris at 20

Experiencing Disney land Paris as an adult has always been on my bucket list.I went to Disney as a child and wanted to relive the magical fairly land.

Earlier on this year,after much persuasion me and my sister headed of on the Eurostar and headed to Disney land.

On this day it was -3 degrees,you'd never have guessed as the whole trip, the castle was lit up by sunlight. It really is magical!

Some people have the theory that Disney is only for kids.Personally I think they're just being boring and don't have an imagination!

But as Walt Disney said "Adults are only grown up kids anyway".

The feeling of walking into the park and seeing the castle is magical.

There's something so overwhelming about being able to walk around carefree wearing sparkly Minnie Mouse  ears no matter what age.

I found my self with a constant smile on my face and feeling so fulfilled.

It's probably one of the only places on earth where you can sing,dance and skip around without a concern in the world.

The only bad thing about my trip was that 3 days wasn't enough and now I want to be Peter Pan and never grow up.

Being somewhere so happy and truly magical, puts everything into perspective and has given me the travel bug, I already had even more.

Wanderlust / a deep urge to travel 

If Disneyland Paris is on your bucket list I highly suggest booking a trip to have the most memorable happiest time of your life!

Who wants to come to Never Land with me ?

What's on your bucket list ?

Carla x

13 Reasons Why / My Opinion

I was looking forward to the release of 13 reasons why on Netflix.

I've never read the book but I'd heard great things.I had also seen it advertised that Selena Gomes was executive producer.

13 reasons why is one of the best high school dramas,I've ever seen.

 I suggest that you watch the series first and then we can discuss your opinions too!

Also I'll add this isn't a review in any detail.Just my opinions.

It's really uncensored and the teens use "fuck" a lot.It shows a real representation of being in high school,although my school life was easy compared to Hannah's.

The show at times is extremely dark and contains some rape scenes which might be hard to watch for some viewers.

The dark nature helps it to be as realistic as it needs to be and it doesn't gloss over any details.

I binge watched the series and watched all episodes in 48hrs.

It's a great watch for Teenagers/young adults.

Summary :"Follows teenager Clay Jensen, in his quest to uncover the story behind his classmate and crush, Hannah, and her decision to end her life."

You'll be hooked in and probably in tears at some point throughout.

I highly recommend '13 reasons why'.

I also hope that their is another series as there is potential to be.

Have you watched the series ?

Who was your favourite character?

Carla X

Salted caramel drip cake

I wanted to share with you this delicious three layer salted caramel drip cake.

No credit to me as the recipe belongs to Jane Pattiserie and the link for the recipe is http://www.janespatisserie.com/2016/07/04/salted-caramel-drip-cake/

I must add that Janes creation did look extremely perfect compared to mine,however it  still tasted amazing I just need to practice my decorating skills :)




Carla xx

Easter Cupcakes

As this week is a 3 day weekend! I figured what a great time to do some baking.Having family over for tea or just want to use some of your Easter  chocolates!

Ingredients :

175g Caster sugar
175g Stork
4 medium eggs
175g self raising flour
1 tspn vanilla

250g stork
750g icing sugar
1 big bar milk chocolate
Mini eggs
Malteser bunnies

Method : makes 12/14 cupcakes

First preheat oven to 160 fan and line a cupcake time wth your chosen cases.

1.Combine  the sugar and butter together in a mixer.
2.Add the eggs and flour along with the vanilla gradually. Mix until all the ingredients are smoothly combined.
3.Spoon the mixture into your lined cupcake tins with an ice cream scoop or however you prefer to do so.
4.Bake in the oven on 160 fan for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and when insert a cake pick it comes out clear.
5.whislt the cakes are cooling you can make the buttercream.Mix the stork and icing sugar gradually until fluffy and light.Go ahead and break your chocolate up and microwave for a few seconds,keep checking and mixing to make sure it doesn't burn.Mix the chocolate into the icing.
6.pipe the chocolate buttercream onto the cakes.Sprinkle some glitter on top and some Easter chocolate.
7.Enjoy!

5 of my favourite Youtubers

Mention YouTube to an adult and their likely to not have a clue what you mean apart from "oh those videos".
Mention YouTube to people of my generation and you can make a new friend and have a great conversation.
I could spend hours of my time watching YouTube and it's so easy to go from watching a morning routine to the most randomist video on the web. Thats whats good about YouTube nothing is to extreme and anything you think of has probably been made into a video.

As youtube is so incredibly popular and their a millions of YouTube creators sometimes it hard to find new creators.I have my personal favourites so I thought i'd share them with you so you can enjoy some new awesome people.

1. AYYDUBS

2.MONICA CHURCH

3.REMI ASHTEN

4.EBONY DAY

5.ASHLEY AND RACHELLE

Those are a few of my go to favourite YouTubers and I also have a channel so i'd appreciate if you check me out too !
MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL


Carla Xx

8 of my favourite things to watch on Netflix

I could pretend that I never watch TV and that I spend my time exercising and reading books.However that would be a little bit untrue.We all know secretly that when we say just one more episode we really mean one more series!

I love watching movies and TV series's,as it's a way for you to escape your typical life, and relax.For your mind to focus on something different, whether it be romance or fantasy.

This post is to share with you a few Netflix recommendations :

1. Riverdale / This is new to Netflix with 7 episodes and more being released every/other friday.Riverdale is about four teens and their lives after the death of a fellow student, as they try to find out what's actually happened to Jason.

2.Orphan Black / Is a 4 season series focused on Sarah who starts of with witnessing a stranger commit suicide, however the stranger looks extremely similar to herself.Sarah is actually a clone and the episodes discover a whole new mystery and life for Sarah.

3.Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt / kimmy goes to New York after being held hostage by a cult leader.Its so light hearted and really does have you laughing out loud.

4.The Duff/ About a high schooler who realises she's the designated ugly fat friend in her clique,she asks for help from her neighbour jock friend.The perfect romcom.

5.Haters back off/ A series about Miranda sings and her dream to become a singer.I don't actually watch Miranda sings on YouTube as the content isn't my typical interest,however I really enjoyed watching haters back off, it was extremely funny.

6.Stranger things/About a group of young boys and Wills discovery.A sci fi fantasy sort of series.I can see a lot of genres enjoying this series.

7.I boy/Shards of a cell phone get lodged into a teenagers brain,he discovers a special Power and uses it to get revenge.

8.Radio rebel / When a student has a secret identity,she is a school dj who helps others popular and unpopular.

That's a few of my Netflix's favourites let me know if you'd like to see a part 2!
Carla Xx

How do you deal with your mind ?

How do you deal with your mind ?
A feeling you get but you just can't describe
Almost an aching that won't rub out
Why do I feel like this ?
What am I feeling ?
Am I anxious?
Stressed?
Sad?
Confused?
Or all of the above ?
Whatever I am
Whoever I am
I don't like this feeling and how it's making me feel
Shake it off they say
Shake what off
It's not a crumb and easy to dispose
It's my mind
My brain
My life
It's me
I am who I am
I don't know why
But it's me for now
I'll work on me until one day soon
I feel better
Am I ill?
No just not me yet
I'll know
When I feel better
Happy?
Excited?
Energetic?
I can't wait to feel those feels
When my mind wanders off again
Like it does in dreams and stories
That's the best feeling
If we didn't dream we wouldn't live
But for now I'll be ME.

Jammy Dodger surprise cupcake

These jammy Dodger cakes are perfect for any day and really fun to make.


Recipe adapted from http://www.janespatisserie.com

Vanilla cupcake ingredients :
- 150g caster sugar
-150g stork
-3 eggs
-150g self - raising flour
-2 tspn vanilla extract


Icing sugar ingredients :
-175g icing sugar
-350g stork
-1 tspn vanilla extract
-1/2 tspn milk
-jam
-mini jammy Dodger biscuits

Method:

1.Combine the sugar and butter together in a mixer.
2.Add the eggs and flour along with the vanilla gradually.
3.Spoon the mixture into your lined cupcake tins with an ice cream scoop or however you prefer to do so.
4.Bake in the oven on 160 fan for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and when insert a cake pick it comes out clear.
5.Once the cupcakes are cooled scoop out a bit of cake from the top i used the bottom of a nozzle to do so and place a teaspoon of jam into each cake and remember to put the cake back on top and not to accidentally eat.
6.Mix all of the buttercream ingredients tighter until light and fluffy and pipe onto your cupcake however you like and then you can place a mini dodger on top and your done.
7.Enjoy!

Terrys Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

Who doesn't love Terry's chocolate orange ?
Who doesn't love cupcakes ?
Well you love both that's why your reading this post right this second.

Recipe adapted from http://www.janespatisserie.com

Ingredients :

175g butter
175g caster sugar
175g self raising flour
4 eggs
1 tspn vanilla
3 tbspn cocoa powder (optional)

Icing :

500g icing sugar
250g stork (margarine)
20 pieces Terry's chocolate orange (melted)


Method

1. Preheat your oven to 160 fan.Line a baking tray with your cupcake cases of your choice.
2. Mix your stork and sugar together.I use a stand mixer and whisk for a few minutes,until combined.
3. Add the rest of your ingredients (egg,self raising flour,vanilla,cocoa owder). Mix for 5 minutes and until the mixture is light and fluffy.
4. Spoon your cake batter into the cases and place in the oven for 15-35 minutes.Keep an eye on the cakes as you don't want them burning.(That would ruin your day)
5.Whilst your cakes are cooling you can make the icing.Mix the stork with the icing sugar and add in the melted chocolate gradually.Continue to whisk so the buttercream gets thick and fluffy.
6.Using a piping bag and a star nozzle pipe the icing onto the cupcake and finish of with a segment of the orange and some edible glitter to give it the wow factor.
7.Make yourself a cup of tea or hot chocolate if your feeling  like a chocoholic and enjoy your yummy creation.You could share with your friends or keep them all to yourself.

Carla x