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?

My first time seeing The Vamps and it won't be the last!

DISCLAIMER: ALL PHOTOS USED ON THIS BLOG POST ARE MINE, IF YOU WISH TO SHARE THEM ANYWHERE PLEASE ASK. I DO NOT BITE.  I'M PROUD OF THESE PHOTOS AND WOULD RATHER HAVE THE CREDIT TO BE HONEST. I'VE SHARED THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND RECEIVED LITERALLY ZERO FEEDBACK, THEN OTHER PEOPLE USE THEM AND SEEM TO BE TAKING THE CREDIT. SO YES, THE PHOTOS ARE ALL MY ORIGINAL ONES (MINUS DEAN'S AT THE END) BLAH, BLAH, BLAH! p.s. I don't wish to add a watermark on them because I personally think it ruins the photo so no using photos without permission naughty people! We all understood? Great!

If you follow me on Twitter or Instagram then you'll know this weekend I went to see The Vamps live at Sherwood Pines in Nottingham. Oh my, what a night! Let me tell you a little bit  lot about it?

I've got a slight feeling I was at the right concert...

As soon as I knew The Vamps were going to be performing at Sherwood Pines I absolutely had to get tickets. Forestry Commission are the people who organize and make the outdoor concerts happen. I can't fault them in the slightest, I take my hat off to them. Incredible, incredible people! If you wanna check them out you can head to their website and maybe take yourself to one of their concerts. If this weekend and last year are anything to go by you won't be disappointed.

Pricing is reasonable even though it's a set price for everyone, maybe childrens could do with being a little bit less but other than that no faults. What I love about the whole experience is you can take in your own chairs, picnic blankets, picnic basket, food, drinks and really enjoy live music in a beautiful atmosphere. What more could you want? A stuffy arena or the great outdoors? I wouldn't even have to debate this one. You choose where you feel like sitting and you can quiet easily wiggle around to get some good shots (yes, I totally did that of course)!

A few different locations, a few different performers.

Now I've given a little bit of background info about the place and organizer. I'll talk about the show itself. OH MY! What a fantastic night from start to finish.

The Vamps were the main act and they had a total of three support acts. First support act was HomeTown...(click their name and you'll go to their YouTube channel)

HomeTown are a six piece boyband from Ireland, managed by Louis Walsh. They well and truly got the night going. Very good voices but they didn't leave enough of an impact on me to become a fan but they were very good non the less. Extremely entertaining, singing and dancing to bills, they had a great attitude and stage presence.

Second support act was The Tide...(pssssst, click The Tide and as if by magic you'll arrive at their YouTube channel...you can thank me later)!

The Tide are a four piece band made up of Austin, Drew, Levi and Nate (totally only know this because I've been Instagram and Twitter stalking clearly) from California and are signed by The Vamps new record label. The Tide clearly already had some fans in the audience and I can completely understand why. I think these four are certainly ones to watch and are going to go far. They without a doubt know how to entertain a crowd and if I had the chance to go see them again I would, for now YouTube will have to do. Their covers are great and their original song 'falling in love tonight' is perfect.

Third support act (three support acts and all impressive)...Union J! Remember Union J from X Factor? They were so good also ones who know how to work the stage and get the audience grooving. I'm guessing they are clearly in the right job for them cos I know I couldn't do that.

Once Union J had finished rocking the stage it was time to wait, only half an hour and that flew by. I bought a programme to remember the concert, I always buy something as a little reminder...ok, I also bought a tshirt too.

8.45pm soon came around, The Vamps were on stage! Girls were screaming, phones and ipads at the ready...yes, some people actually took ipads with them. I mean really?!?! Do you think that's a must have when you go to a concert? I don't think that's something to take to a concert. 

Live in the now people, enjoy...take photos to remember the night, capture moments, record little snippets too. I think the ipad thing is just a little weird for me because it isn't a camera, the camera quality isn't the greatest on the scheme of things...enough waffle about the ipads? yeah, I thought so too.

Brad, Connor, James & Tristan certainly know how to put on a show, no doubt about it! These boys didn't stop! They thoroughly entertained everyone there. Once they got on the stage I don't think they stopped for 2 minutes. It is so clear that this is their passion, that it means so much to them. All four of them seem so down to earth and grateful to be doing what they love every single day.

I was so gutted that I didn't get the chance to meet them, I missed the meet and greet competition...damn it! But being able to see them live was such an experience that I won't be forgetting anytime soon, especially not with my photos that I took. I managed to take 624 photos on the night, some ended up a little blurred but some ended up pretty darn impressive (yes, I'm being a little bit big headed maybe but whats the point in bringing yourself down? there's plenty of people out there who are willing to do that for you). 

 

I would without a doubt go to see them again live, I'd go again right this second if I could. If you get the opportunity to go to one of their shows go, you wont be disappointed! Don't think about the price of the ticket, just go. If you enjoy someone's music and it has an impact on your life, support them and go see them live. You can't beat the feeling after a concert, the buzzing in your ears, the random outbursts of you singing along to their songs.

Forestry commission pleaseeeee bring The Vamps back next year or maybe you could try for Rixton? Now that would be a show I'd go to aswell! I'm going to leave you with two of my favourite photos (one is mine and the others is Dean's who records and takes photos for the band), through either side of the lens!

Blogging is fantastic for not only remembering experiences but also sharing them too!

Is being alone really so bad? against the rules of life?

Right, let me start this post off with a conversation that has made me sit and address the topic. In our lives there is always someone we know of, just know of to speak to, not know enough of to know them as a person...wow, alot of knows thrown in there!


A couple of weeks ago now I experienced this conversation with someone who knows of me, doesn't know me, certainly not enough to make any kind of remark towards me or my life...

"so do you have a boyfriend yet?"
"no".
"why not?"
"because I don't feel the need to have a boyfriend right now, I don't feel the need to be searching for one because I don't have one neither".
"you don't swing the other way do you?".


WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL?!?!?!


Yes, I did actually get asked if I was a lesbian because I don't have a boyfriend. I mean come on, just because I don't feel the need to be searching for a boyfriend high and low in shops, on the train, at an event, on social media, on a dating app or website doesn't mean I'm a lesbian.

Is it so wrong that I actually enjoy my own company and don't feel the need to have somebody else to make me complete?

We live in a world where we should be living a certain way. There is absolutely no right or wrong way to live your life, aslong as you live your life how you want then you're on to a winner in my eyes.

I once dated a boy who actually had a life plan, I'm not too sure how far his head was in the clouds or whether it was because we were so young and naive. He knew what age he wanted to be married by, what age he wanted to have kids. I don't believe life quite works like that. You can't plan your life, you can plan your day but life changes so much I don't believe you can have a plan. Things can literally change overnight and never be the same again. Don't get me wrong have life goals and ambitions but plans? Plans change a lot.

I'm now 23. Around my age it's expected that you're moving out, living with your boyfriend. I'm still living at home (very skint right now so have no plans on leaving my home) and not in any relationship. No relationships in the near future, well I can't see any but like I said life is unexpected.

There seems to be a lot of people who can't be alone in life, always with someone (I mean friendship and romantically). Over the past six years (I've been living with anxiety for like six years, madness!) I've learnt a lot about myself and about life. I've become stronger because I've fought my way back. I've become more independent after having my independence taken away from me. I've been fighting an illness that I couldn't understand, in a way I still don't understand some parts of it.

Life changes, people change, situations change.

One thing that has changed for me is the amount of friends I have, I can count them on one hand (ok, maybe two hands). By friends I mean true friends...people who get me, people who want to speak to me, people who want to spend time with me, people who enjoy my company, people who make the effort, people who understand me, people who don't just want me when they are bored, people who take an interest in me.

Loosing friends isn't easy but it has made me realize I'm a lot stronger and more independent than I ever thought I could be. I don't feel the need to go somewhere with someone. If I want to go shopping, I'll go on my own. If I want to go out for the day I'm quite capable of doing that too. If I want to go to the cinema, I'll do that alone too.

The greatest relationship you can have is with yourself. Reality is people come and go, some people do stay and things are great. But the one person who will always be there standing by your side is you.