sharing my love for 'THE DUFF'

THE DUFF, a film that has recently been released on DVD and is an absolute must see in my eyes. Admittedly I absolutely hate buying a film on DVD at about £11, ridiculous! Once you've bought the DVD within a few weeks it tends to drop by almost half the price or it'll just disappear completely off the shelves, anyone else get annoyed by this? Plus how often would you watch a film more than once? THE DUFF is one of the films I'll be watching more than once (already watched it twice) and I'd quite happily watch it again tonight to be honest.

I've found a new way to watch films too. Instead of paying the high prices of the DVD I decided to give Amazon Instant Video a go. Basically you just pay for movies online, you can either buy or rent. If you rent you get it for a month (I think, don't hold me to it), but once you start watching it you've got to watch it within 48 hours. So to buy in the shop this film would of been £11, to rent it cost £3.49. In my eyes it is a no brainer for new films. After watching this film though and realizing I need it in my life I ended up paying £7 for the DVD, believe me it's worth it...

I'm not going to explain to you what the film is about, I'll just throw in the trailer instead.

THE DUFF is one of those films that you can sit, watch and actually enjoy without feeling like you've wasted an hour and a half of your life...yeah, we've all felt like that at some point whilst watching a film.

THE DUFF isn't one of those films, trust me.


THE DUFF is an absolute easy going, entertaining, lighthearted, funny film that everyone can probably relate to. THE DUFF ends happily, the whole film has a positive spin. I ended up jotting down some of the positive, true, relatable quotes from the film to share...


'we all have insecurities', we sure as hell do! Each and every single one of us.

'how about tonight you just worry about what you think about you', easier said than done but we really shouldn't worry about what others think of us. In all honesty in their mind they are probably worrying about what others think of them.

'there's always going to be someone prettier, more talented or richer than you. It shouldn't affect how you see yourself', too right...no, no it shouldn't.

'just don't tear me down for not giving a shit about your labels because in the end they're meaningless', absolutely! At the end of the day what do the labels actually mean? Nothing, we are all still pretty damn awesome!


The very last words spoken in the film are...
'in the end it's not about popularity or even getting the guy. It's about understanding that no matter what label is thrown your way, only you can define yourself. Take it from a duff'.


THE DUFF, a real break through film to make us all realize that no matter what labels are thrown at us, only we can define ourselves.

As if the film hadn't already won me over already it topped it off by playing The Vamps, somebody to you...I'm a sucker for them guys!

If you haven't watched it, watch it, watch it again, tell your friends, tell me what you think about it.

looking back over old blog posts, part two...

I never knew my previous blog posts would give me so much reassurance, reassurance that my life is getting better, that I'm doing something right.

Just over a year ago I created a post called looking back over old blog posts, part one... I kinda enjoyed it so I'm back for round two. Admittedly I just let my eyes shimmy across the posts until a sentence popped out and here we have this blog post creation! Looking back over old posts makes me cringe, looking at the layout, the way I created photos but to be honest that was clearly exactly how I wanted to create it back then so I can see all signs of improvement really.

It's been just over a month since I last sat down, typed some dribble and posted it. I think now it's time to create some more highly sophisticated (not gonna lie, my brain couldn't even spell sophisticated) ..ok, ok...waffle.

You want waffle? You've come to the right place. A place where the clue is in the name...'a whole lot of chitty chat'.

I've created some little quotey snaps to break this post up a little bit. I understand that some of the words are slightly faint but I wanted them to be that way because these are all words from my past. If you struggle to read them just zoom in a little bit more :) ...

Oh, you don't understand how much I wish this was the case but I'm sooooo, soooo, soooo glad I did the lessons and passed my test because now my life has changed and improved so much. Hello freedom, hello almost full time job! EEEEKKK & ARRRGGGHHH!!!

If you are feeling like the open road is far, far away in the future don't worry, it'll be here for you sooner than you realise, just keep moving forward.

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Once upon a time I was struggling to leave the house, now I struggle to stay in the flippin thing! I'm so grateful for these days now because I've had them taken away from me before and let's be honest, we never know what is around the corner. Anxiety, please play ball and don't appear so badly again. 

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I still go by this, take each day is it comes because some days will be harder than others but good days are always around the corner. I tend to live alot more in the now, don't worry too much about the future but hey, I live with anxiety...worry will always be a part of me.

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Always, always, always get back up again! What's the saying? Get knocked down seven times, stand up eight? Yes, do that!

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Absolutely 100% still go by this! Don't be so hard on yourself, nothing is perfect but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try your very best.

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If something works for someone but doesn't work for you, don't get down about it or defeated. Try another way, there will be a way to improve your life.

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I felt like I heard this a lot! 'You should' is two words that seem to add so much pressure. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's had a sentence said to them which starts with, you should...

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Ooooh, I do enjoy looking back over old things I've said, how I used to feel, how I used to see things.

I've also missed my little space on here too! I love just opening up a fresh post page and tapping away at the keys on my keyboard...I'm going to share a new movie on here soon. I'm not adding any pressure to myself, this blog is about expressing myself, having fun, enjoying life. Not hitting 'deadlines', scheduling posts. That just isn't me.

Inspirational reads, Katie Piper's books!

I don't fully remember when I first discovered Katie, I don't remember where I first heard about her but I now follow her on Twitter & Instagram to see what she's up to day to day (ok, maybe not day to day..I'm not online that much)...but that's what social media is for right? Keeping in the loop, being able to interact with people.

Every now and then when I decide to approach people to share my blog, to raise more awareness for mental health. Katie has always been one who I approach and she always retweets, thanks Katie! (saying that like she'll be reading this, hey...you never know)!

I use my blog to help others, to share things I love and Katie's books fall under both them titles. They can help you and you will love them (I know I do)!

Katie is known to most people as the girl who cruelly got acid thrown in her face. But Katie has gone on to prove she is a whole lot more than that. Not only is Katie a fighter, she is a down to earth woman. The attack hasn't stopped Katie from going on to live a full life, I can't even begin to imagine how tough that must be but look at that lady go! She is now a mother, soon to be a wife, founder of her own charity. Katie inspires me. If the world was filled with more Katies the world would be a much better place.

I remember reading Katie's first book, 'Beautiful'. It actually took me a good few weeks to pick up the book and read it (past the first few pages). I couldn't actually bring myself to read her story, the horrific details, the terrifying events but I'm so glad I decided to eventually read Katie's first book, I'm also very glad she decided to share her story and write books to help others.

During Katie's books I feel you can connect with her, relate to her, understand her, sympathize with her. Her life, her attitude, her story is without a doubt inspiring. Throughout her books you can really begin to understand Katie, to see exactly what she has been through. You discover the behind the scenes almost of Katie's journey. You hear all about the highs and lows, the ups and downs, the victories and the setbacks. Katie's books are honest, heartbreaking and heartwarming. I seriously recommend them all.

I'll give you a tiny bit of info on each book...

'Beautiful' is Katie's first book, telling her story. In the book she shares tales and the odd photos thrown in too. Life before the attack and a little after if I remember rightly.

'Things Get Better' is more of a self help book, to make people feel less alone and make us know there is support out there for us all and it is possible for us all to recover from whatever life throws at us.

'Start Your Day With Katie', every day of the year you can open this book up to a new quote. I don't use this as often as I should but it is definitely a must if you're a lover of quotes and positive thinking.

'Beautiful Ever After' is Katie's most recent book that I finished a couple of weeks ago now. Beautiful Ever After shows Katie share her story of life after the attack. The story of rebuilding her life and everything happening up to recently.

If you can't tell already I highly recommend Katie' books and I think she is an ordinary lady doing extremely incredible things. Keep going Katie, you rock! 

p.s. have you read any of her books? which do you like best? if you haven't read any yet, you should totally should check out her books and send her some love! X

the big 'A' reveal...

Pretty Little Liars has just shared with us all this seasons summer finale, finally after 131 episodes (fyi, I checked on Netflix whilst I was writing this) we finally know who 'A' is...

Image taken from the official Pretty Little Liars Instagram page

I've left it a good couple of days for this episode and reveal to sink in before I sat down to write about my thoughts and feelings towards the whole reveal, the whole episode (it made me cry a little, not the story behind A but the girls all parting and saying goodbye).

I'd had my own thoughts and theories running up to the big reveal and there was plenty flying around the internet too, but none prepared me for this episode and discovery.

After not knowing the identity of A for so long, I really wasn't ready to find out who was behind the character. I wasn't ready to put a face to the disturbed creature. In all honesty I wasn't sure I even wanted to know who A was. I was quite happy living in the unknown, being completely unaware of the person behind it. I had built so much of an expectation in my head that I didn't feel anyone could fill it.

Unfortunately I'm sad and disappointed to discover the identity of A. It wasn't who I'd expected it to be. I expected it to be someone who had played a big part in the whole six series, not just someone who had appeared a handful of times. Even though I had guessed Sara was a part of 'the A team', I'm still left questioning why? Why is she both red coat and the black widow? It doesn't make sense, is it even meant to make sense? What reason does Sara have to be a part of it?

I'm still convinced that CeCe isn't really A, maybe they just want us to think she is A...yeah, her story checks out but I'm still left questioning it. Surely there is more than just CeCe & Sara behind all this, I'm convinced there is!

Plus five years down the line who is 'he'? Who has come back for Ali? I'm not even going to try to guess, how about you?

Pretty Little Liars, my thoughts and theories...

I remember when Pretty Little Liars was first aired here in the UK, about 4 years ago on VIVA. It then got moved over onto MTV but soon it just disappeared. I was gutted, I love the excitement and edge that Pretty Little Liars has. The next few months/year was spent searching for episodes online.

Fast forward to my discovery of it now being on Netflix, YEESSSSSSSSSS!!!! I wasn't subscribed to Netflix before but once I knew about Pretty Little Liars being on there I just had to subscribe, no doubt about it.

MTV stopped showing Pretty Little Liars at the end of series 2 if I remember rightly so I had a lot of catching up to do. Luckily I've been caught up for a while now, after many marathons (I even created a post about watching it too much) and just have the weekly one to watch.

If you don't actually watch Pretty Little Liars maybe I should fill you in a little bit. Ally, I'm looking at you for not knowing about Pretty Little Liars...girl you are missing out! Pretty Little Liars is an American tv programme. Five high school friends, one goes missing, then found dead. But is she really dead? Is she really missing? The girls start to receive messages from an anonymous character A. I don't really know what else to say about it, that is pretty much it. More things happen over time but that is the basics of it and how the story started.

Everyone seems hooked on it, addicted. It is worth the hype surrounding it.

The summer finale is just around the corner, just over a week away! Finally after six whole series we are finally going to come fAcetoface with A! (click the link, I've linked the promo video). I mean, I'm not holding my breath on this one. Will we find out who A is? Will we not? Who knows.

In the meantime I've created a list...

The question on every viewers lips, Who is A? Does A stand for anonymous? Is it the first letter of the characters name? Or just the first letter of the alphabet?

Who is red coat? Up until red coat appearing on the scene, a red coat was just an outdoor item of clothing...now it has a whole new creepy, spooky meaning.

Who is / who are the black hooded figure(s)?! There has got to be more than one person in this team. Oh my gosh, brain wave...what if it's all the parents?! Now, that would well and truly turn it around.

Who is Reece Matthews? Who is Clark? These two characters seem to have recently appeared but still seem to have a big part in 'A's game. They are certainly involved in some way, or so it seems.

Who is Sara? Was she actually in 'that place' for all them years? Is she part of the A team? I've got a funny feeling she hasn't been locked away in 'that place' for all them years, I've got a feeling she has some involvement with A. It's all a big game to A so I wouldn't be surprised if this is the case.

Is Maya (Emily's ex girlfriend) really dead? They think they found a body. They also thought they found Alison's body, look how that turned out.

Who on earth is Freddie in the home movie? He was in one of the recent home movies shown, the clip was meant to show us a look into 'Charle's' childhood years but instead I think it might have opened up more clues. Charles is Freddie? Freddie is Charles? Who knows?!

A is for Aria? I've seen this theory floating around the internet a little while, the only reason I can think people are even suggesting this is because her name begins with A? I don't know...what do you think?

Is Mrs DiLaurentis really dead? I'm not overly convinced on this one neither, especially since we thought Ali was dead for a few series too.

Where has Jenna, Paige, Melissa, Wren, Lucas, Noel, Ian...everyone who has ever appeared actually disappeared to? Even when characters get 'killed' off I'm not convinced, this is Pretty Little Liars...anything can happen!

What's happened to every single character ever? I'm convinced every character that was once part of the show is now in the A team...that way I must get it right? I mean it's got to be one of them, surely!

Maybe, the 'A team' is made up of all the girls ex boyfriends, ex flames, ex friends, their enemies...

Pretty Little Liars gets my head in a spin but I absolutely love it! 

What are your thoughts and theories? Share them with me please, I wanna know what you think! There is only one way for me to sign this post off...

- A

p.s. note to self, this is only a programme...don't get yourself too attached or involved...a little too late? ;)

so, you're not the same as everyone else? here's a secret...I'm not either :)

We are humans, not robots. We aren't programmed to act a certain way, we have a mixture of emotions, feelings, life experiences.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who worries and thinks about life...A LOT!  I worry where my life is currently at, where it's heading. But it's ok, I'm not programmed a certain way, I don't have to be the same as others. Nobodies life is set out a certain way, we all live different lives. What is normal for one, isn't normal for another. I keep reminding myself that and I think you should too.

I'm 23 and have only just managed to keep a job that I really enjoy with routine, purpose, structure, meaning. Some people might have been in work since they were 17, I don't know but does that matter? No, what matters to me is my life. I'm not working full time but I'm working, that is improvement and an achievement in itself after what I've managed to come through.

I've never drunk alcohol, unless you class the time I tried wine and spat it straight back into the glass (yes, I'm very elegant). So I've never been drunk. I personally think it's a waste of time and money, life is too short. I'd much rather spend money enjoying something I'm going to remember or buying something that I can keep and reuse. What do you get from alcohol? A foggy memory? A wasted next day? A banging head ache? Sick in the toilet the next morning? A stranger in your bed? A regretted night? I don't know...I'm just guessing a few things you might get. I'm sure you could get worse too.

I'm single, should that really have such a judgement surrounding it? I don't think so. But for some reason it isn't ok to be single, you must always be on the hunt for love, hunting for the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. Should this be the case? Personally I don't think so but that's just my opinion.

Remember, not everyone goes through the same stuff, the same phases, the same life experiences. We all live different lives, some of our lives might be similar but without a doubt a little element of your life will be different to someone elses.

If you're reading this, I want you to stop being so hard on yourself. Stop comparing yourself to others. Live your life the best you can, you're doing a great job! X

one year, twelve goals...half way there!

At the beginning of the year I created a list of twelve things I'd like to achieve by the end of 2015. If you want to see the original post then you can do so by clicking here (I'm going to recap them all again in here but hey ho...whatever floats your boat my friend) and if you fancy reading my last update in March then be my guest, pick me.

I'm enjoying checking back on my goals and seeing how far I've come in the past few months, in this case the past six months...how on earth are we half way through the year already?

Let's get this show on the road?

1. Meet atleast 3 online friends.
If you don't follow me on instagram then you probably won't know but if you do follow me, oops for all the spam! I still can't believe I've met an online friend from so far away! I'm classing these 3 as my 3 online friends...so woo hoo, one goal complete!

What was that? You want to hear allllll about it? Of course I've blogged about it, right....here!

2. Attend one or more concerts.
Concerts attended this year, a grand total of two and a half. Yes, a half. I went for the majority of a Boyzone concert, got really bad stomach ache went and laid in the car. But let's not focus on the crappyness of that! I sang and danced away at two very different concerts, in two very different environments. I'm a more outdoors kind of girl, don't put me in a crowded indoor place...not a big fan. I've blogged about both concerts, Olly Murs and The Vamps. (a little birdy tells me by clicking their names you'll get to those posts)...

3. Save more money than I spend.

*swiftly moves on*

4. Take a weekend break.

None taken, none booked, none being looked at.

5. Read one book every month.

Just over half way through the year and I've read a total of seven books. Recent ones I've read are 'If I Stay', 'Where She Went', 'Just One Day' and 'Just One Year', all written by Gayle Forman. I'm not overly impressed with them and in all honesty I won't be rushing to buy anymore of her books, each book has a second book to it. So two stories, over four books. I bought them and it seemed a waste not to read them and see if they improved. I can't seem to connect fully with the stories, I can't get lost in her books. I don't feel the excitement to pick up the book, I'm not left thinking about it or reading until I can't keep my eyes open for a single second.

6. Tackle the stigma surrounding mental health more.

Ongoing, ongoing, ongoing. I feel like I'm in a battle between wanting to raise awareness but not wanting to be fully known or judged by it (that's the stigma for ya)...does that make sense? Honestly, there is a heck of a lot more to me than my mental health.

7. Drink more water.

I'm drinking a lot more than I used to. I've started buying big bottled water packs in the supermarket instead of a diet coke, so that is progress in itself.

8. Spread my blogging wings a little more.

Spreading my blogging wings is blogging about other things other than mental health, you know like life, friends, concerts, nail polish... *ppppssstttt* the nail polish one tells you about my latest favourite and I highly recommend it. You can look through the archive for other posts I've spreaded ( that is a word, yes? no?) my wings with, if you want to that is.

9. Keep my diary up to date.

I'm getting better at this, I'll probably be fully caught up and organised by the time December comes around then I can start all over again.

10. Cook more meals.

Hmmmm, can't think of anything recently that I've cooked. Quick and easy shepherds pie is one of my favourites, the nicest I've ever eaten. With lambs mince, carrots, peas, onions, Worcestershire sauce and garlic bread...let me know if you wanna hear about that. 

11. Enquire more about braces.

I enquired, haven't been to the dentists yet...I'm due a check up in the next few months. But unfortunately I still haven't won the lottery so I don't think I'll be spending almost £3,000 on braces...I don't have that kind of money.

12. Move...more.

I'm always on the go, unless I'm sat at my desk at work or sat blogging or sat watching tv or in the bath. Ok, maybe not always...most of the time? I've been for the occasional run, trying to make it a regular thing...watch this space. Trying is better than not trying though, right?