10 THINGS THAT MADE ME HAPPY THIS MONTH

July was definitely my best month of 2019 so far, and I am hoping that is going to carry through until the end of the year now. I really want to start documenting more on here, by sharing the big and small things going on in my life at that time. With this, I wanted to end the month by sharing some of my highlights of July. July was a super busy month for me, and a lot of really exciting things happened for me, and it felt like they were all happening at once. I would love to do these every month so please let me know what you think, right now, I am really just enjoying looking back at everything I have done this month. 

The first week of July, I was on work experience as part of my sixth form programme. This had been in the works for months and months but it came around super quickly. Everyone was travelling to all of these exciting places for work experience, but I ended up staying pretty local and helping out at a primary school. A lot of people would probably think that this is quite generic, which it is, but as someone who loves working with children and is considering teaching as a possible career, this was perfect for me. However, I was definitely really nervous going into it, I tend to find change a little difficult and meeting new people is something I'm working on, but immediately I was welcomed by the other staff and I really enjoyed my time there. I spent the majoirty of my time with children aged four and five, which was so interesting and lots of fun because they were all so friendly and just really engaged with one another. It definitely taught me a lot, espeically, how to get them to engage with learning about things like money and spelling. The five days I spent there really set the tone for the rest of the month and I now really value the time I spent there. 

During work experience week, on July 3rd, I went to see Here Come The Boys, which was a show with three of the male dancers from Strictly in it. My mum and I had tickets for months, right when they first came out and so I had been looking forward to it for a really long time. The show definitely did not diappoint and it was definitely one of my favourites I had ever seen. It was unlike anything I had ever watched before, it was a lot of dancing but in all sorts of different styles and layouts. The dancers were also super talkative, engaged a lot with the audience and it was just an overall, really fun night. 

July 10th was then my 17th birthday. I've never really been a massive birthday person, but this year definitely topped it as my best one yet. Not because of anything in particular, but my friends and family just made me feel so special and loved. I was definitely very anxious that morning, which I usually am on my birthday, but as the day went on, I just feel really super special. My friends and family spoilt me massively this year, especially my parents, but I am so super grateful for all of the lovely messages, cards and presents I recieved. 17 is currently looking like my best year so far!

I always knew that I wanted to drive as soon as possible, so the day after my birthday, I sat my driving theory test. I had been preparing for it months prior to my birthday as I just really didn't want to fail. As I was sitting the test, I don't think I had ever been so nervous and answering the question section, I really thought I had failed. However, I didn't, I passed and so that is my first step done to become a legal driver in the UK. 

Like I said, I have always wanted to drive as soon as I possibly could and so for my birthday, my parents did get me driving lessons. I am so super grateful for my driving lessons as I am lucky enough to be able to get my lessons quite close together in the hopes that I will pass quite quiclly. I have had 10 lessons this month, and I feel like I am finally getting to grips with it. Without giving away too much, my test is booked in a couple of months so fingers crossed all will go well. I am really enjoying it at the moment though, it is so different to me but I really love it and I am excited to finally pass, hopefully in the near future. 

This month I also started my first ever job. I have been trying to get a job now for at least 9 months, and nothing really came of the ones I had applied to. However, a local company by where I live was hiring and so I applied in June, and I had the job by the start of July. It took a little while to get it set up but I've ended up working three shifts this month and I have honestly loved it. I mainly love how many new people I have met, and I have found some amazing friends through this job already. Even though I haven't even been there a month, I do think that I have definitely learnt a lot about the world of work and about myself as well. I definitely want to do a post all about the things I've learn from my first job but that probably won't be coming for a few months until I have properly settled, but it is super exciting right now. 

In July, I definitely seeked more opportunities to see my friends and to catch up with some that I hadn't seen in a while. I am definitely not the best when it comes to sticking with plans, but I really tried this month to go out and meet up with some people that are really special to me. I guess this is a bit of a brief one, but with it being summer, I will hopefully be seeing my friends a lot more and making more memories. 

Like I said, I am now finished for my summer holidays which means that finishing year 12 had to make it on my highlights for this month. I would be lying if I said that this year was easy, it has definitely been my most challenging academic year, both academically and mentally. It definitely started off rocky but as time has gone on, I am feeling good about the future and I am excited to go into my final year of sixth form, even if that does mean sitting the most important exams of my life. 

This month, I also got back into reading. With the last few months of year 12 being very stressful, reading definitely took a backseat which was unintentionally but necessary for the short term. I also went through a bit of slump with reading, there was nothing I really wanted to read and everything I started, I just couldn't finish. Mid July though, I started to finally read some more and I am really happy with how it is going. The book series that got me back into reading has its own little post going up this week so I guess you'll have to wait to see what it is, but it has definitely gotten me excited about other books I can read over summer. 

The last thing this month that was a big highlight for me, was volunteering with animals at a local organisation near me. I don't want to say too much about it as it is really local to me and I don't want to give away that much detail right now, but it is an incredible organisation. I have always wanted to volunteer somewhere and this is an organisation that I am really passionate about. I love the work that they do and everything they have achieved. They are only small, but I think that they are making a massive difference. Like I said my volunteering does include working with animals, which I love and it one of the main reasons why this place is right up my street. It is definitely very intense and I have found out a lot about myself while doing this, but it is so rewarding and lots of fun. I haven't actually been there a lot this month, I am still getting introduced to it all, but so far, I do really enjoy it when I'm there. 

Let me know in the comments what you're highlights from this month were, I'd love to know!

Grace xx

WHAT'S IN MY SHOWER

So I've been wanting to write a blog post like this for a while now but I have just never gotten around to doing it until today. I think one of the main reasons I put off doing this post for so long was because the previous hair products I used were not cruelty-free but now I have found some that I can say enough good things about. This post is a little different for me but please let me know what you think. 

Like I said before, I have found a shampoo and conditioner that I absolutely love and they are cruelty-free. I have spoken about them a few times, but they are the Inecto Bamboo Shampoo and Conditioner. This duo, for their price, is so amazing. They have a few different types of shampoo and conditioners, which I definitely plan on trying out at some stage, but the Bamboo collection is for strengthening, which is something I am always trying to do with my hair. The shampoo is a gel-type consistency but it lathers up so nicely and the conditioner, once you wash it off, makes your hair so soft. One thing I've always struggled with is getting my hair to look shiny. Most of the time, my hair can look really dry and frizzy, mainly because it is so thick, but this duo does a really good job at taming that, and it does many my hair look shiny and smooth, which I am obsessed with. I honestly think everyone should check out this brand, they have definitely become my new favourite for haircare. 

I am constantly changing up my shower gels, just to keep things new and exciting but for summer, there is nothing I love more than a super sweet scent. The Soap and Glory Sugar Crush Shower Gel is always a favourite for me around summer time as it just smells incredible. It is the perfect balance of citrus and sweet. Plus the formula is amazing, it lathers up great and I love that the scent hangs around for a little bit. 

To use with the shower gel, The Body Shop Luffer is essential for me. I can't imagine using shower gel without a luffer, to be honest, because it just works so well. You get a much better lather and I just feel like it cleans you more. I love the ones by The Body Shop as they are small and compact but they are such good quality, so they do a great job. 

I don't use this every time I shower, but I tend to scrub my face two to three times a week and I prefer to do it in the shower as I just think that is the best way to remove it properly and from the heat of the water, your pores are open so you can properly clean your face. Once again, I have mentioned this a few times but the Formula 10.0.8 Face Scrub is my favourite cruelty-free one I have found. It is definitely on the more intense side so like I said, I don't use it daily but it does such a good job at just making your skin feel super clean and fresh. The smell is also super fruity, so once again, perfect for summer. 

A bit of a random one, especially because I don't know the exact type, but the final thing in my shower is the Gillette Venus Razor. I am not an expert on razors so I don't know the proper name or type or anything but I just know it is the one with disposable heads. These aren't the best for the environment but right now, for the shower, this is what I am currently loving. Especially because it is now summer, I definitely find myself shaving more, just because I have more skin on show and I just prefer to shave than to let it grow out. I wouldn't necessarily say that this is the best razor ever, for me, it does the job and it is definitely something I use in the shower often, so it was worth a mention. 

Let me know if I should try anything new whether that be a new shower gel or perhaps a more eco-friendly razor, I'd love to hear your suggestions!

Grace xx

PILLOW THOUGHTS - an aesthetic read

I have never been a huge poetry fan but I feel like, over the past few years, it has become very trendy and aesthetic in a way to read poetry. Really popular poetry collections are the ones by Rupi Kaur, but I have seen more and more appearing as time has gone on. Saying that I have never considered buying myself one but luckily for my birthday, my friend, Emily, bought me Pillow Thoughts by Peppernell which is a collection of poetry. This post isn't going to be like a proper review but I just thought I'd talk about it a little bit in this post. 

What I really like about this poetry collection is that the contents page is section off into a 'Table of Thoughts', for example, it has a dedicated chapter for when you are feeling in love, or sad or lonely and I just think that this layout is interesting as it is probably the way the poems are going to have the most impact. I now know that when I feel these things I can go to this collection and just read what I may need to hear. It is definitely an interesting way to display it. 

I also didn't realise how many poems you actually get in this book. There are about 250 pages and the majority of poems only take up a page, so it makes this collection super easy to read but also, it will take you a while to get through all of the poems, which I quite like because then you will never get bored of reading the same ones. 

Something else that I find quite interesting about poetry collections like this is the length of the poems. This collection has poems ranging from one sentence to over a page and although they each range in their impact and power, I just think that it is really cool that one line can provoke so many thoughts. 

I have only read a few of these poems, but from what I have read, I do think that this is right up my street. The poems and lines are very simple yet thought-provoking which I love and they definitely do a good job at making you feel understood. 

Although it probably isn't the best way to read it, I definitely want to read it start to finish just to get the chance to read every poem. Maybe then, I will mention it in another post but I would love to hear your thoughts on these modern poetry collections and if you have read this one, then please let me know your thoughts. 

Grace xx

NETFLIX DISCOVERIES

As much as I love Netflix, I can get into such a bad habit of rewatching the same shows over and over again, but right now, I am really trying to change that and try watching some new shows. Although they haven't all been successful, I have found some new favourite shows and so I thought I'd share them all in one post. If you have any more recommendations then please comment them as I am looking for some more new shows to binge-watch over the summer.

Project Runway

I actually had no idea that this was on Netflix until it showed up in my recommend but I have always felt like this was a show that everyone had watched, apart from me, until now. The first season I watched of this, I binged it in about a week, it was so good. If you love shows like the Great British Sewing Bee then you will love Project Runway as I think that they are quite similar. I love how the show is very harsh on some of the contestants, only because, the advice they offer is very useful and motivating to an extent. When I was watching this, I found that I just wanted to sew all the time and create clothing constantly which is great as I think that a show like this can really ignite that creative spark for you. I also like this show as I find that it doesn't always require a lot of attention so if you pop it on in the background as you draw or sew or whatever, it is also really nice. 

Peaky Blinders

This show is honestly something else! It was initially a recommendation from my brother and I'm so glad I got around to watching it. Peaky Blinders is unlike anything I have ever watched before, it is set in the early 20th century, in Birmingham and it focuses on the Peaky Blinders family. There is a lot to do with crime, scandal and corruption which is so interesting to watch because although all of it isn't historically accurate, it is just so well put together that you feel like it happened. I will also point out, Thomas Shelby played by Cillian Murphy is perhaps the sexiest yet most complex character ever, honestly, he makes the show. I definitely think that this show has something for everyone in it, so if you want a unique watch then I would highly recommend giving this a try. Just as a warning though before you watch this show, moments of it are quite graphic and explicit due to the time period (post WW2) and the characters. It could also be triggering for some people dealing with PTSD or depression as there are a lot of scenes dealing with traumatic events as well as an attempted suicide later on in the show, so please consider that before you watch. 

The Society

I watched this show when it first came out and I demolished it. The concept of is intrigued me massively and it did not disappoint. I know a few people who have watched it and there are some mixed feelings about it but I think you've just got to give it all of your attention and really engage with it, and you will love it. I don't really want to spoil the show but it basically revolves around one year group in high school being trapped in their town. It is really interesting to watch the characters develop as you watch the show. What I love about this show are the questions it raises, particularly about morality and democracy. When this year group is stranded in their town all alone, they consider who gets put in charge, what powers they have, who they work with yet there is a lot of scandals that has got to be dealt with also. Questions appear about the death penalty, about wealth, about science and it is just really fascinating to see how everything unfolds. I really hope I have inspired you to watch this show as it is probably one of the best I have watched all year and it has also been renewed for a second season in 2020 which I am so excited about as the show was left on quite a cliff hanger. 

Fresh Prince of Bel Air

This is the sort of show that you can watch anywhere, at any point. I have loved this show for so long and when it was taken off of Netflix at the start of the year, I was devastated, but they have brought it back and I honestly couldn't be happier. This is definitely a classic comedy to me and I think it is a show that everyone should watch. It is so fun, absolutely hilarious and it is just the sort of show that you know is going to cheer you up. I love that the episodes are quite short as it definitely makes it easy to binge-watch but I just don't think that there is a show like this anymore. 

Sex Education

I have been recommended to watch this show since it first came out and now that I have finally gotten around to it, I can see why people love it. It is definitely a typical coming of age, British TV series but I honestly love it. I will say that I am only a few episodes in, but so far, I am really like it, just for something to watch in the background. It is definitely a weird concept when you first watch some of the plots evolve but I also think that it is a funny show yet it manages to discuss serious topics also. 

Please comment below if you have any other Netflix recommendations, I would love to watch something new. 

Grace xx

MY FAVOURITE SONGS BY THE BEATLES

I don't really know whether people know this about me, but I am a huge fan of The Beatles. Ever since I was young, I have always been listening to their music as well as some other 60s classics and right now, they are all I am listening to so I thought that there was no better time for this post than now. I love the majority of songs by The Beatles, but I just wanted to share the ones that I am loving in particular right now, otherwise, we'd be here forever. I understand that The Beatles isn't for everyone, but please give them a chance, I definitely think that they are amazing and you might do too. 

Thought I'd start off with my absolute favourite song by The Beatles and perhaps my most favourite song of all time Twist and Shout. I don't know why it is my favourite song to be completely honest but it has just stuck with me and it is a song that never fails to make me feel happy. This song is just so fun and catchy which is definitely going to make a frequent occurrence in this post because in case you haven't already noticed by my other music posts, I am not one for sad, slow songs, usually. 

Next is I Want to Hold Your Hand which I now love because when I first heard this song, it was a cover from Glee, and if you have heard it, you will know what I mean when I say that it is sad to listen to. However, after now hearing the original, I love it because the lyrics of it are actually very sweet and I love the original pace of the song. It is one that definitely gets stuck in your head but I definitely think that it is worth a listen. 

I can't write this post without mentioning Hey Jude just because, although it is a sad song, it is one that I love dearly and one that I know I will listen to for the rest of my life. My favourite part of this song is the ending just because of how it builds and the power it has by the end, I just think that it is incredible. 

In My Life has become a very recent favourite of mine but I think that the lyrics just take you back to amazing times in your life which you will know what I mean if you listen to it. I also love the way this song was produced and all of the instruments in it, I just think that it is such a beautiful song. 

Another one which I think is just a super fun song that always manages to cheer me up is Eight Days a Week. It is super simple when you listen to it but sometimes you just need a song like this to keep things fun and lighthearted. 

There is something about Drive My Car that I am just constantly obsessed with. It is so catchy and I love the slight rock and roll feel to it, as it just makes it loads of fun. I also think that this has loads of character to it just with the way the song is arranged and the little additions of 'Beep Beep' in it, it just makes it super clever. 

It honestly upsets me that this song is so short because what's of it, it is amazing. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band is such a fun song. I love the drums in this song just because it provides the song with such a catchy basis and the way the song changes to the lyrics, it is just great. 

Revolution, once again, has a proper rock and roll feel to it with the electric guitar in the beginning and it just sets the tone for the rest of the song. This is definitely the sort of song that you'd want to dance to, or at least I do. 

Let me know what you think of The Beatles in general and whether you have any favourite songs from them, I'd love to know!

Grace xx

HIGHLIGHTERS I'M LOVING RIGHT NOW

I love a good highlighter, it is such an essential step in my everyday makeup routine, especially for summer. This post is just a round up of the four main highlighters I have been reaching for right now and ones that I would highly recommend for summer. I've also noticed that each one of these highlighters are very different in both their effect but also price range, so hopefully there is something for everyone in this post. 

Natasha Denona Mini Blush & Glow

I feel like when it comes to talking about makeup on blog, I always seem to mention this but rightly so because it is amazing. I got this about a year ago and it is perhaps my most favourite makeup product ever. It comes with both a blusher and a highlighter as the name would suggest but they are both in such a beautiful formula. The highlighter is such a perfect colour for me and the main reason I actually love it so much is because of how buildable it is. I find that if I do a light dusting of this, it can look super natural but I can also layer it to intensify it which I think is amazing. The colour of this is also a perfect match for me because I can apply as much of it as I want and I won't get a weird looking stripe across my face like some highlighters give me. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone as I think everyone needs something like this in their collection. It is definitely not cheap but I think that it is worth the price and also because it is a powder product, you are going to get a lot of wear out of it. 

Natural Collection Blush & Glow in Peach

Apparently blush and glow is the next best thing, but I am honestly not complaining. This is probably a much more affordable version of that Natasha Denona duo, but they are definitely quite different when you compare the two. This one I find to be a little more intense but also very unique in it's colour. The highlighter is very gold and has an almost yellow sheen to it, but not in a really scary, crazy way, just in a unique kind of way. I find that it still looks very natural on the skin and it matches me very well, but when it hits the sun, it definitely has a strong golden sheen to it. You can definitely build this up to make it look almost metallic which I think is super fun to play around with sometimes, but I also love this for everyday use when I want to mix up my highlighter. 

Iconic London Illuminator in Original

This has been such a stand-out beauty product for me this year, I just think that I have now found the best way it works for me. I find that applying this on top of foundation but underneath powder is the best way to keep it looking nice and glowly but also intense for when I put a powder highlighter on top. Products like this are so fun to have in your collection as you can do so much with them, like I love to use this as a liquid eye shadow sometimes and I think a lot of people forget that you can use cream face products on your eyes too, I would deifnitely recommend you try it. I just love this highlighter because you can wear it on its own and it just makes your skin look so healthy and hydrated but you can also use it underneath a powder to make it that bit more intense. I will say, the colour of this is a little more difficult for me to work with as it is slightly too dark for me when I'm super fair but as long as I don't apply too much of it and blend it out properly, it is usually all good.  This is definitely such a staple summer makeup product for me and paired with that Natasha Denona duo, it is amazing!

Ofra Highlighter in Rodeo Drive

If you love an intense highlighter, then you definitely need this in your collection. On the days where I am wearing a little more makeup or just want something more intense, I will wear this and my lord is it pigmented. It just makes your skin look wet, it's unreal. For me, it is not something I'd wear daily but even on the inner corner or as an eye shadow for all over the lid, it is gorgeous. It is such an amazing gold shade and I find that it works well on me when I'm super fair or a little more tanned. When you initially apply it, it is definitely very intense but I do think that you can make it look more natural by just tapping off the excess or by going over it with a damp sponge just to help pick up any of the excess product.

I would love to hear any of your highlighter recommendations!

Grace xx

SUMMER TBR

To say the least, I have not read anywhere near as much as what I would have liked to at this stage in the year, however, it is never too late to turn around. Now that the summer holidays are (nearly) here, I thought I would put together a few light hearted reads that I think would be perfect for the warmer season. During summer, I love to read romances and fluffy contemporaries and so, majority of these books are exactly that, but I have tried to add in a few others that are more on the fantasy, series side of things which I am also hoping to get to over the next few weeks. Fingers crossed I get a lot of reading done this month so that I'll be able to review some books for you all. 

After - Anna Todd

Perhaps one of the most controversial YA romances of the decade, but I am intrigued and I can't help it. If you haven't already heard of this book, then you have definitely been living under a rock because this has been made into a film this year that has very recently been released onto Netflix, but originally, it was a Harry Style's fanfic on Wattpad, so to say the least, this book has had a pretty unique journey. There are a lot of mixed feelings on this book, but generally, I just want to read it for myself and I think the summer might be the best time for me to get it done. 

To all the Boys I've Loved Before - Jenny Han

I can't believe I haven't read this series yet, but I am so desperate to read all three before the second film comes out. This series just seems ideal for summer, super fun and light-hearted. From what I've heard, it is a pretty well-loved YA contemporary so hopefully, I will love it too.

The Sun is Also a Star - Nicola Yoon

This was in my 2019 TBR pile and I am still not round to it. I am also pretty sure that the film is either out or coming out very soon so I need to get a move on with all of these new releases. I've heard that this book is super quick to read so I think I might just dedicate one day in summer to reading this book as it shouldn't take me too long. 

Since You've Been Gone - Morgan Matson

From what I've heard Morgan Matson is supposed to be incredible for her YA contemporary books and this one seemed so perfect for summer. Rather than it revolving around romance, I am pretty sure that this one is more friendship focused which I think will be a nice change away from all of the other super romantic-ish books. This book is over 500 pages though so I'm hoping that it isn't going to drag, but I definitely want to review this one as soon as I get around to reading it. 

Restore Me - Tahereh Mafi

If you have seen any of my previous bookish related posts then you will know that the Shatter Me series has very quickly become some of my favourite books ever and this is the next book in that series. I have put off reading this for months now because the next book wasn't out in the series, but Defy Me is out now which means that I can now read this one. I know that this is going to be a super quick read for me as I just engage with the writing style so much and I am in love with all of the characters, I am just hoping it is as good as all of the other books. 

Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix - J. K. Rowling

I am still aiming to read the whole Harry Potter series this year and so this is the next book I am up to. I have put off starting this book for a few months now just because it is pretty big and I know that it might take me a while, but there really is no better time than summer. I should also start to speed up with this series, just so that I can definitely finish it all this year. 

Let me know what books are on your summer TBR, I would love anymore recommendations!

Grace xx

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO // Ep. 2

I said that I was trying to make this a regular thing and I'm already on my second episode, I feel like it's progress. Since summer is pretty much here, or the weather at least, I've been adding some recent releases to my playlist and I must say, I'm really enjoying them. Like always though, I have got a few older songs, definitely ones that remind me of previous summers so hopefully you are inspired. 

Ocean Drive // Duke Dumont

I recently rediscovered this song and I now listen to it several times a day, it's amazing. This is a proper summer song to me, I imagine the radio playing it, windows down, belting the lyrics, just real summer vibes. You've been warned though, it is so super catchy but definitely one of my staple summer songs this year. 

Senorita // Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello

This new release is unreal and is making me so excited for summer. If you haven't already heard it then you absalutely need to, but with the music video, you'll thank me later because the visuals are unreal. I just think that this song is the perfect combination of romantic but still fun and perfect for summer. 

Ain't Got You // Steve Void feat. Louisa

This song was released very recently but oh my, it's amazing and I definitely think that it is going to be a standout song this summer. I love Louisa Johnson, I think that she is an incredible singer and this song is just amazing. It is super fun and I would just highly recommend you give it a listen. 

Find U Again // Mark Ronson feat. Camila Cabello

Apparently I'm really loving Camila Cabello's new music, but to be completely honest, I think she's killing it right now with these collaborations. For me, this song has a proper old tone to it and I'm honestly here for it. I'm definitely planning on listening to more music from this Mark Ronson album as so far, I'm obsessed.

Loyal // Jake Warner

I saw Jake Warner busking outside of The Vamps concert back in May and I made a mental note to check out his covers, but turns out, he actually had a few songs of his own, and they are amazing. This one is my favourite out of the two he has released so far just because I think that the lyrics are so well written and his voice is unlike anything I've ever heard before. He is definitely an artist I am excited to hear more from and I definitely think he is worthy checking out if you are looking for unique music. 

SOS // Avicii feat. Aloe Blacc

This song breaks my heart as it reminds me of the tragic way Avicii passed away and how we owed him so much more but I think this whole album in general is a beautiful way of demonstrating his music. Particularly, this song stands out as one of my favourites because of the lyrics and the composition of the whole song. 

Paris in the Rain // Lauv

Lauv is an artist I have really discovered this year and I think he is increidbly talented. I have quite a few songs I love from him but I've only just discovered this one which was released a few years ago and it is beautiful. This style of music I think is perfect for summer as it is super chill and relaxing almost. 

Talk // Khalid

This song has been stuck in my head all day and I'm so glad to be finally talking about it. I love how each section of this song is different but it still blends so that you know it's the same song and I just think that it is super fun.  

Shockwave // Liam Gallagher

In my last music post, I mentioned some Oasis songs and little did I know, Liam Gallagher was releasing an album. I'm pretty sure this is one of the only songs from it that has been released as of right now, but I love it. I definitely see Oasis in it which I love because that style of music is some of my favourite. The electric guitar in this makes it for me, it is so energetic and cool, I love it. I can definitely see this becoming one of my favourite new releases from the year, it's amazing. 

Calm Down // G-Eazy

I'm not a huge rap fan but I have really loved some of G-Eazy's other music and something was telling me to listen to this song, and rightly so. It is definitely different for me, but I really like it. I think it is because of the beat and the extra stuff in the song that isn't the initial rap, I think it's super unique. 

I feel like this post was super short and sweet but hopefully, I've inspired you to check out some new music. Let me know what you think of some of these songs.

Grace xx

18 THINGS BEFORE I TURN 18

Today I turn 17 and so I thought that there was no better post to do today than writing about all the things that I would like to do before my 18th birthday. Seeing as it is now only a year away, I wanted to keep the list realistic but also try and push myself to do some things that I've always wanted to do. 

Apply to University

This one is definitely already at the forefront of my mind and I'm aiming to send off my UCAS application off in October 2019, so not far now. As of right now, I still have quite a few decisions left to make but I think there will be a post coming up very soon about my plans. I'm really hoping that I can get this one ticked off very soon but I want to do it properly, in the hopes that I can get into my dream university. 

Pass my Driving Test

Now that I'm 17, I am now able to legally learn to drive in England, and honestly, I'm so excited to be out on the road. I am aiming the learn to drive quite quickly as I am hoping to do an intensive course, so fingers crossed I pass in the next year or so. Ideally, I'd pass before 2020, but I don't want to put too much pressure on it so we will see. 

Get a Job

I spoke about this a few posts back and I'm still keeping my fingers crossed on some of the applications I have sent off but right now, I definitely feel ready to commit to having a job. I'm at the point now where I want to start earning money that I can save and invest but I am also keen to gain the experience and all the things that come with having a job. There is one particular job that I'm really hoping that I get but I will definitely be letting you know as soon as I get a definite job. 

Sit ALevel Exams

This one is also pretty inevitable considering that I am about to into year 13 in September but my ALevel exams are coming a lot quicker than what I expected. I'm really hoping that when I come to sit the exams, I'm as prepared as possible but also really proud of how far I will have come. These exams are definitely going to take a priority over most other things in my life but fingers crossed it will be worth it when I get my results next August. 

Go to Prom

I never got a prom when I finished high school and so my sixth form prom will be my first. Although it's quite far away, I have been thinking about prom and I've been on and off about the idea of going but I definitely think that it would be a great chance for me to celebrate the end of exams.

Save Money

This one is a pretty vague one but I do think that it is necessary for me to mention as right now, I have a lot of things that I would love to do like travelling or saving money to buy a car and obviously, they are quite big investments to make and so that's why saving money has made this list. I do think that I am a pretty good saver but I want to be even more conscious of how I'm spending my money and hopefully once I do get a job, this will be a whole lot easier. 

Take Part in a Charity Run

So far this year, my fitness has fluctuated quite a bit but I definitely want to get back on it and work towards doing a charity run. I say that I'm going to do it every year, but I never get around to it but I am going to make an even bigger effort to do it before I turn 18. I'm going to try and do a 5k run as I feel like that is the best way for me to begin and it is something that I could quite happily train for. 

Develop a New Skill

Once again, this is pretty brief but I wanted to keep it vague so that I could learn any skill that I was drawn towards. There are quite a few that I have in mind but I really want the chance to experiment and find something that I really love. I have already started taking up a few things like golf and photography but I want to see if there is anything else that I would like to take up. Growing up, I never really did many clubs and if I did, they were only in the short term so I would really like to commit myself to something that I am really passionate about. Obviously, it would be great to develop a few new skills but I want to make sure that they are things that I see myself doing in the long term and so I'm going to aim for one new skill and anything extra is a bonus. 

Focus on Fitness

I mentioned this previously but I would really like to work on my fitness and hopefully see some physical differences in my body. My body has always been a huge insecurity of mine and although I have gotten better at coping with that insecurity, there are somethings that I am able to change and would, therefore, like to change. As a long term goal, I would like to give myself this year to really focus on my fitness, focus on my health and I really want to see a difference in the way I look but also the way I look at myself. 

Open up more on my Mental Health

This has been something really new to me this year and it is definitely something that I want to get better at. As of right now, I tend to open up on my blog the most, just because of how therapeutic it is to me, but I would really like to start trusting the people close to me and opening up to them about the way I feel without feeling guilty about it. 

Throw a Party

I feel like this one is a bit of a random one, but I love organising things and I think that organising a party would be so exciting so that is something I really want to accomplish. As of right now, I definitely don't plan on doing this for my own 18th, instead, there is something I've already got planned for someone close to me so now it is just a case of executing it as well as I can. Obviously, I won't be doing it alone but I definitely want to play a big role in ensuring that it is a great event and hopefully it will be. 

Sell One of my Pieces of art
Drawing and art have always been such a huge passion of mine and I finally feel like I'm at the stage now where I am finding my style. I definitely would like to do some commission pieces in the hopes that I would be able to sell one of them just so that I could grow in confidence. 

Have a Photoshoot
Like I said before, I am really trying to develop my photography skills and so I would love to have a full photoshoot. The type of photography I would love to pursue is fashion photography but right now I'm still waiting for a few opportunities to get some amazing pictures. I would love to have a photoshoot with my friends just to see what the outcome is like and hopefully develop my skills even further. 

Volunteer
This one is also in the works right now and hopefully, everything will go to plan but I would love to volunteer at a regular basis for a local charity that I really believe in. The one I am currently in the works of joining is so super exciting and it is definitely something I'd love to talk about more on my blog once I've settled there. I just think that an opportunity to volunteer somewhere would benefit not only myself but a well-deserving charity. Although I've never volunteered for a long period of time, whenever I have done a little bit of volunteering, it has always given me such a positive and open-minded outlook, so I think I'd like to work on that further in a more consistent environment. 

Travel to a New Place
There are so many amazing places that I have already seen at such a young age which is something I am so grateful for and it has really given me more ambition to see even more amazing places. I have a few in mind right now that I would love to see in the next few years but whether they happen or not is another story but if I do go anyway, I'm sure you'll hear about it on my blog.

Document More Memories
I feel like I am constantly saying this, but I am so bad for not taking pictures or documenting incredible moments in my life and that is something that I am trying to work on more and more as I get older. Hopefully, the next 12 months are going to be incredibly exciting and eventful so I really want to make sure that I capture as much of it as possible. 

Complete a Rubix Cube
Another random one I guess, and at the start of the year, I was so close to nearly doing this but I gave up before I managed it. Just for the satisfaction of it, I'd love to be able to solve a Rubix cube by myself. I have a few people in my life who can do it and so I plan on their help when trying this but fingers crossed I at least manage to do it a handful of times before I turn 18. 

Create an Item of Clothing
Most of you will know that I love all things fashion and although right now, I'm working on upcycling some of my old clothes, I would also love to make an item of clothing from scratch. Right now I have a few ideas and definitely more than one piece of clothing that I'd like to create right now, but I want to make sure that whatever I make is genuinely wearable and something I could see becoming a staple in my wardrobe. It is definitely a little project I want to give myself over the summer. 

Hopefully, you enjoyed this post, I guess it was something a little different!
Grace xx

FUTURE PLANS

A few posts back, I gave advice on making a decision between two or more options (linked here in case you missed it) and I said in that post that I was going to talk about my own experiences in a separate one, which is what today is going to be. I want to keep this post sort of short but I also don't want to miss out any details so I've made little subheadings just to prevent myself from getting carried away. 

Firstly, I wanted to start off by saying that the sixth form I go to heavily pushes university and although they try to offer alternatives, they definitely recommend applying to university and so that has always been inevitable for me. I understand that this isn't the case for everyone, but university has definitely been the biggest decision for me in terms of the course, which university and whether I really want to go or not. Even though I am still slightly undecided now, I am definitely going to apply to university and so it is very likely that I am going to end up going just because of the career I have in mind, which I will talk about later in this post. 

University Course

I am definitely the sort of person who would want to go to university for the course, for the education, and not necessarily for the life experience or memories made and so this was a huge decision for me to make. Throughout my life, I have never had a career goal to work towards which made this even harder as I could literally study anything. A few months back, I had wittled it down to two options, Law or Maths, and because they are pretty different I needed to make a decision as quickly as possible so that I could focus on making my personal statement as good and subject-focused as possible. 

Each course had its own pros and cons. For Law, it was something that has always interested me, it was something I could see myself studying but it was also something that I had never tried before and so it would be a huge risk. For Maths, it was always my favourite subject in school, I am very interested in learning about it to a higher level but I wasn't sure whether I'd get bored of it or lose my love for it.

After much research on both and attempting to look at both objectively, the thing that helped me make my decision was a subject talk at a university open day. There was just something about hearing the maths course in person, being able to talk to people studying that exact degree and seeing all the possibilities that would come at the end, that helped me make the decision to apply to university for maths degree. 

It is definitely unique to everyone but from contemplating all sorts of subjects from law to fine art to maths with philosophy at the start of year 12, those subject talks really helped me chose what I really wanted to study. Some people are lucky enough to have a lifelong career goal which they need a specific degree for which makes their decisions so much easier to make but for someone who is merely applying to university for the subject, I think I have chosen the best degree for me. Although I have got a few career goals in mind, nothing is definite and my time at university could definitely change my decision pretty quickly, which honestly doesn't both me anymore. I think the flexibility of a maths degree is something that made me so drawn to it.

Which University

Once again, I was never the sort of person who has been waiting to go to university their whole life just to go as far away from home as possible, instead, it was quite the opposite. It has sort of been integrated into me that going to a university close to home would be the best option for not only the financial side but also the benefits that come with living at home like less responsibility (a pro or a con) or a greater support system emotionally. However, I was also surrounded by a lot of people in my sixth form who were planning on going far away for university so what I decided to base my decision off of was open days. I know a lot of people do this and I honestly think that it is the best way to go about choosing the best university for you. 

As of right now, I have only been to one university which was the University of Manchester and after visiting the university in person, I really fell in love with it. It was the first time where I actually considered living away from home to study at university which was a huge eye-opener for me, and I really felt excited by the prospects of living alone for once. I obviously plan on visiting more universities in the autumn time but as of right now, I really fell in love with Manchester. It also helped me to realise that although I now wouldn't mind living away from home, I would like to stay in the north of England as in a way, I wouldn't be too far away. 

Another option that I am considering is Open University which is something I don't feel like enough people consider. There is also a lot of incorrect assumptions about an Open University degree like it not being a proper degree which it is, and that was something that I have put a lot of research into and I definitely think that it is going to be one of my options when I send off my UCAS application. I think that Open University would definitely suit me just with the flexibility it offers and it would also allow me to explore other opportunities that might come my way. For instance, if I was lucky enough to earn income from running my blog, I would probably consider Open University even more than a brick university, just because it would allow me to do both. It is these things that definitely make Open University sound really appealing to me but I guess I won't be making that decision just yet as somethings may or may not happen. 

Other Options Explored

The only other option that I am really considering right now other than university is a degree apprenticeship. I love the idea of doing an apprenticeship just because of the financial benefits, the work experience opportunities and this idea that you are basically set up for life coming out of an apprenticeship but the only thing that is steering me away from doing one is because I wouldn't be able to study the university course that I would prefer. I still definitely want to apply to some apprenticeships and it is perhaps something that I want to do more research into but as of right now, nothing has really caught my eye. 

Future Careers

As for future careers, although this could change in a week, month or year, as of right now, I would like to come out of university with a maths degree and then go onto become a teacher whether that be in primary or secondary school. Like I said, this may change, but I definitely think that teaching is a very likely outcome for me just because it really appeals to me as a job and from the experience I have had in teaching, I have really enjoyed it. I would take all of that with a pinch of salt though because knowing me, I could change my mind tomorrow. 

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this little post about some of the big decisions I have made as well as me sharing some of my future plans with all of you. If you have any similar experiences I would love to hear them in the comments!

Grace xx