DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY

Feeling a little down lately but I'm always trying to stay positive. I don't like talking about being unhappy or sad as I sometimes feel as though it can bring other people down with you and you end up sinking into a black hole of feeling rubbish, crying into your tea wearing pyjamas. But then I think you know what we're all human, we all have mood swings and days where we feel as though we are carrying a big grey cloud full of unhappiness and gloom around with us and then sometimes one thing can happen and that cloud can get heavier or it can turn into a rainbow and fade away. Anyway, I suppose life throws us things that can be massive and really change the way we see the world and live out our everyday or can just be that you got teary eyed watching an episode of GBBO because your meringues are never gonna have that sort of shine.

I just thought I'd share a few things that seem to really help me feel happier and stay positive, I hope they help you guys in some way if you've ever felt like that too.

1. make time for friends and family | don't fall into the trap of feeling like you need to be cocooned in a duvet far away from the world. getting out really helps, even if it's just half an hour.

2. laugh | giggle at things, it's okay! watch your favourite comedy! get your mates round! giggle parties are the best!

3. make time for yourself | a bubble bath, treat yourself to a new shamazing shampoo, get your nails did, practise that cat eye with a new eyeliner, take yourself out for tea!

4. routine | i find a good bedtime routine means better sleep which seriously helps your mental wellbeing, if i'm tired then i get cranky, i don't feel refreshed and i wind up feeling like the female version of Tyler Durden.

5. talk about it | getting your feelings and thoughts out there makes them seem much less daunting, more than likely your friend or your mum has been through the same thing or knows how to cope with whatever it is that's troubling you, you'll find help and advice through talking to others and people can be so kind

I wish we could all have a harry potter butter beer party with real versions of chocolate frogs and pumpkin pasties! Halloween is on it's waaaay!

LOVE MONEY PARTY

My sister and I had a lovely impromtu shopping trip to Nottingham the other day for her birthday. It was lovely to catch up and swoon over the pretty pastel shirts, floral grunge t shirts and everything was decorated pink and sweetly for Valentine's day. We had a naughty treat in our favourite food place, TGIFridays, it was going to involve cocktails but neither of us drink much so we decided against it. If we had it would have been a Purple Rain, an ode to Prince. We watched Romeo & Juliet, the new Douglas Booth version, it doesn't match the 90's Leo standards in my opinion but Booth is Lauren's DiCaprio.

What are your favourite places to visit in Nottingham?

SHINE BRIGHT LIKE A DIAMOND

2013 brought lovely moments, which completely outweigh the not so great ones. One of those which will be forever in my memory, that shines bright like a diamond (Rihanna always on repeat) was the moment my best friend and love of my life asked me to marry him. We were in London for our anniversary, catching glimpses of fast life in the city, away from our little home in the country. Museums full of crystals and creatures from the deepest oceans, tea and mini sugar comas from novelty donuts, the warm breeze from the underground, all of it had completely swept us away, it was like living in our own rom com. 

My Chelsea boots splashed in coloured puddles as we'd been caught in a heavy rain storm, so Matt bought me the sweetest, most velvety hot chocolate from a warm cafe where we talked about the future. The rain was so persistent but we were determined to have another afternoon of adventure and small delights in the capital. We braved the rain and took shelter in the glorious V&A, my favourite place in London and where he popped the question. It was the sweetest and it felt so unreal, like time had slowed down to where you can see all the most minute details in the world. I felt warm tears on my cheeks, happiness and a serious helping of being so completely overwhelmed. 

It felt like a dream! We rushed out into the rain, I was laughing and crying at the same time from a flutter of excited butterflies in my tummy. We took the first tube to Oxford Street where we searched the shimmering streets for an engagement ring. Nestled away behind the glittering glass counters of Selfridges I found a vintage gold ring with a pearlescent moonstone, my hands were shaking but it fit beautifully and I knew that was the one. 

It was the best date I think we've ever had, and that says a lot, it seemed everlasting. We celebrated with the most amazing velvety smooth milkshakes and the tallest burgers you've ever seen. Like two teenagers in love, like we have been all this time we giggled amongst tiny tea lights in a warm corner with a glowing window and knew this was the start of something really super special. 

I'd love to hear about your Moments That mattered from the past year, if you write your own lovely post there's a super lovely draw on Hannah's gorgeous blog that you can enter http://www.awaywiththefairiesblog.com/2014/01/competition-win-ipad-mini-moments-that.html http://www.lloydsbank.com/