20 things for your 20's

As I quickly approach 20, I'm having a lot of thoughts about what I've done in my life leading up to this and what I want to do before I reach 20..

1) Have a spontaneous night with your friends
Even though pre-planned nights are fun, there's nothing better than having a crazy night that nobody expected to happen.. I'll always remember the nights when me and my friends have been out on a whim and them turning out to be some of the best times I've had with them. 

2) Take a trip.. 

Whether it be in the same country, or the opposite side of the world. I and a lot of other people my age have a huge desire to travel. See the world and experience different ways of life, it'll be something that you never ever regret.

3) Buy that investment piece

Everybody has that one thing that they've had their eye on for YEARS. Whether it be that Chanel bag or the reaaally expensive laptop that you just cannot justify... Or can you??

4) Have a cool car

Once you've settled down with a family, your car is going to have to be sensible.. So while you can, have a car that you've always wanted and that you're always going to remember. For me, it'd have to be a mini. They're SO cute and I know once little Lauren's arrive, there's going to be no chance of me having one.. Embrace your young years!

5) Do something whacky with your hair

While you still can get away with it, do something wild and crazy with your locks! Have the chop, change the colour, go wild! 

6) Make your place, your place

Same as the car, as soon as the mini you's appear, your home isn't going to be exactly how you want it so while you're young, buy funky things and make your house a little piece of you.

7) Eat well

What better enjoyment is there than good food? Explore different foods from different countries and cultures, try new things and enjoy them. Food is definitely the way to my heart, being Italian it's always been a huge part of my life.

8) Embrace your friends

During your twenties, you're going to have plenty of time to spend with your friends. Use the time wisely. By now you'll have got over the teenage issues of 'fake friends' and will have most likely worked out who your real friends are. Spend time with them, travel with them, make memories with them. Your real soul mate really is your best friend.

9) Do something you've always wanted to do

Whether it be tell that one person to shut the f up or skydive, whatever you've always dreamt of doing, do it.. 

10) Sign up for a charity run

This isn't specific to your twenties, but I still think this is something you should definitely 100% do! Whether it be a marathon or a little fun run. Do it. I've seen a lot of colour runs about lately and I'd love to do one! There's always some going on all over the country, just Google them and see what's going on in your area!! 

11) Don't settle

Relationships can seem like the be all and end all when you're in your twenties, but don't settle for anything less than what you deserve, be selfish and look after number 1. 

12) Don't be afraid to expand your education

Whether you've been to university or not, never be afraid to expand on your knowledge. Read things, explore, listen to others, take courses do things to make your brain grow. Intelligence is attractive.

13) Create a bucket list

If you haven't already, make a bucket list. All of the things that you want to do, plan to do them. Spend your money on making memories.

14) Wear something you'd never usually wear

Ok, so it's no 'travel the world' or 'meet new people' but seriously, it boosts your confidence SO much.. I recently wore something I'd never usually wear and got so many compliments and it made me so much more likely to wear something a little bit out there again.. Find your style

15) Get a cute pet

We all remember begging our parents for pets when we were young.. YOU'RE AN ADULT NOW, you want a pet? You get a pet!

16) Live with your best friends

Want to move out, don't want to live on my own.. Solution? Live with your friends - the best choice you'll ever ever make.

17) Have fun at festivals

As much as the shared with thousands of other people bathrooms may put you off.. Go to a festival, live music, drink and friends, its such a fun way to see live acts and have fun with your friends.

18) Keep fit

Despite the eating out and travelling, you'll enjoy it all the more if you're mind set is positive and keeping your body fit and healthy will help that. It can be so enjoyable, with outdoor and group fitness classes working out never has to be boring! 

19) Volunteer

Be that person. The person that travels abroad to volunteer. Everyone says that they'd do it, so be the one that does it. You'll grow as a person and help other people.

20) Don't forget your family

With all of these things to do, don't forget the people who helped you get to your twenties

My go to comfort meal

We all have those days when  you ignore the diet and crave a carb fest!

After a night shift, all I want is food that's going to make me full and sleepy, so after waking up at 2pm and being instantly hungry, I took a walk to Sainsburys and picked up some pancetta and a Dolmio tomato and bacon stir in sauce and came home and made pasta, pancetta and sauce. It feels like such a lazy meal but when you're that tired (and also pretty skint) it's a quick and cheap meal to make that satisfies the tum! Despite vowing that I'd eat more healthily, I think a little bit of what you fancy every so often is perfectly fine and stops you binging on sweets and chocolate! Even though I have a serious sweet tooth I find it easier to talk myself out of eating sweet things than things like this. 

Getting back to it | Back to the gym for me!

"Yes yes, I'll go back to the gym soon!" - if I had a pound for every time I've said that to myself I'd probably be able to buy the gym..

I've finally bitten the bullet and re-joined the gym! I have such a love-hate relationship with the gym. I hate the idea of it, but once I'm there I love it. I'm one of those people who's body isn't terrible but isn't great either. I find once I've been to the gym for a while I start to notice a difference but in the process of waiting for the toning and definition I get seriously seriously impatient! I'm not one of those people who respects the 'good things come to those who wait' attitude, I want a perfect toned bum, tum and legs immediately!

Being back at the gym today did remind me that I'm actually quite strong and made me want to improve on that. What it also made me realise is that I am not as fit as I used to be, running on that treadmill was seriously hard work!

One thing I love about the gym is definitely getting myself motivated with snazzy gym gear! Despite my boring bottoms, I am deeply in love with my gym shoes! They're Nike Frees and are now annoyingly in the sale! I feel like I'm walking on clouds when I'm wearing these and they also really support my feet in the gym too! I really like Nike gym wear, I love the patterns and colours and that it's always easy to match their individual garments up to create a fun gym outfit.

Being off uni for the whole summer, the gym also gives me something to do whilst I'm not at work and probably keeps me sane at the same time, always a bonus. After being really apprehensive about getting back into the gym, I'm so pleased that I did. I love the feeling you get after a workout and after a while, the gym really does help to keep a positive mental attitude too! I've already committed to doing spin classes too which I've never tried before! Today for my first time back in a few months, I just started with some light cardio and did a few sets of squats and went on to work mainly on my legs using the machines at the gym.

I'm a member of DW gym because it's really beneficial to me that they have gyms based all over the country! I love that they keep the gyms really well and they're always clean and tidy. They have a really relaxed but professional attitude and it makes you feel at ease when you're there. 

Wanderlust

wanderlust

ˈwɒndəlʌst/

noun

1. a strong desire to travel.

   "a man consumed by wanderlust"

I think I've reached the point in my life where I need to travel.. Seeing friends, family and every other person apart from me embark on adventures around the world. From New Zealand to Cannes, people are exploring the world and I seem to be wedged between York and Lincolnshire. Me being me, I've created a list of places I absolutely must visit!

1) New Zealand

Seeing my cousin fly the nest and move to New Zealand has made me extremely jealous! It looks so beautiful and as a sun worshipper, would be perfect for me. The relaxed culture and lifestyle of New Zealand appeals to me so it is definitely top of my 'to travel list'.

2) Italy

My mum's family are from Sicily so I'd really love to see where my family came from and to explore Sicily! Although the touristy parts of Italy also appeal to me, and lets be honest Italian food is AMAZING. I'm lucky enough to have old family recipes at home to cook up our own Italian delights but nothing beats Italian food in Italy in a cute little restaurant. 

3) New York City

With my 21st birthday approaching next year, numerous hints have been dropped to parents, family, friends, boyfriend, anyone who is willing to take me.. The Big Apple. There is SO much I want to do in New York and would probably need a year to do it all in.. As a huge Friends fan I would literally die to see Central Park and Monica, Rachel, Chandler and Joey's apartment buildings! I'd love to explore the city that never sleeps with my Mum, Auntie Liz and my best friends. However a nice week there with my guy wouldn't go a miss... Hint hint Jack.....

4) Dublin

My plans to visit Dublin are further along than any of my other wishes. Jack's 21st is coming up this year so a long weekend in Dublin is on the cards! I love the Irish people, they're so friendly and welcoming and Dublin City looks incredible and I'd love to explore it! The 360 degree Sky Bar in the Guinness Factory looks amazing too! I think our trip to Dublin will consist of shopping, eating and drinking.... Perfect!

5) Paris

I don't know any girl that doesn't dream of a trip to Paris! After seeing pictures from two of my friends trip to Paris earlier this year, it made my want grow. I love Parisian fashion, French food and shopping.... I MUST GO. 

Call Me Caitlyn

If you haven't heard about Bruce Jenner's transformation into the gorgeous Caitlyn Jenner, where have you been?!

Views on this extremely public transformation are mixed.. Personally I believe that Caitlyn has been courageous and inspirational undergoing such a personal process in the public eye. The negative comments on Caitlyn really show that even in 2015 people are still narrow minded within a diverse society.

If you have watched Bruce Jenner's interview with Diane Sawyer you'll have seen him go into huge depth regarding his feelings towards longing to be female even since he was small. There are people going as far to say as that the whole thing is a publicity stunt. Being a part of the Kardashian family isn't always a positive thing, people are accusing Caitlyn of going through the transformation to benefit Keeping up with the Kardashian's ratings. It's a shame that something that will bring huge awareness of the issues that transgender people suffer and hopefully prevent many of the suicides which are committed by transgender people who don't feel that they can speak out.

Caitlyn's mother in her interview with Vanity Fair has said that she now has a better relationship with her than she had with Bruce. The transformation from Bruce to Caitlyn is astonishing, Caitlyn is so feminine and truly looks incredible, at 65 she looks flawless. It's such a huge change, not only for Caitlyn herself but also for her highly publicised family. It must be like meeting her for the first time, a completely new exterior, but the same kind person that we have all seen in the form of Bruce.



I honestly can't wait to see this next chapter unfold for Caitlyn, finally in the place she's always wanted to be, happy and finally at peace with herself as an individual. It must be wonderful after a lifetime of knowing you're not happy with the person you are to such an extreme to be able to finally say to the world that this is who you've always wanted to be and this is how you're going to live your life. Caitlyn is an inspiration to everybody, showing the world that it's okay to be who you want to be and that the people that matter to you will always be happy for you.