Study Tips!

I know that posts like this are thrown up all over the internet as the dreaded exam time approaches. Students are sick to death with teachers, tutors, parents and exam boards constantly telling them set ways to revise that doing the same thing gets incredibly boring and they end up falling asleep at their desk. 

Getting a good breakfast is the key way to kick start the day (not going to lie...I'm guilty of not doing this and just grabbing something to eat in the car) but over the exam period I'm gonna try to get up at reasonable times and start my day with actually eating breakfast.

Everyone knows that fish and eggs are classed as "brain food" but did you know that so are blueberries, bananas and avocado are too? Even peanut butter is too! (Time to stock up on Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Reese's Pieces!)

 It's always a good idea to plan what you're gonna do each day - whether that's a timetable or a to-do list for the day or the week. This is just so you can get your head around what needs doing and when you're gonna do what so you can prioritise the things you struggle the most with but balancing it with the things you enjoy and are good at. By doing so it can give you a little confidence boost and encourage you.

Breaks are a key part to revising. So try to have one day a week where you just chill. You don't want to constantly be revising but then you don't want to not revise at all because essentially your future depends on these exam results. When planning what you're going to do each day plan it in 40-14 minute intervals therefore you have short bursts of revision rather than long hours. In between these intervals take breaks, whether that's watching a bit of telly or something on youtube, scrolling through social media, online shopping, whatever it is make sure it's something you enjoy but isn't gonna take over the day and be a huge distraction to you.

Speaking of distractions, in the periods that you are revising take away all possible distractions to you. Turn off the music, clear the room of people or pets but most importantly turn off your phone and leave it in another room, hide it or give it to someone to look after. I'm sure I speak for the majority of our generation in saying that parting with my iPhone will be hard as it is pretty much glued to my hand but I am determined to succeed. (haha yeah right Esmee...like that will actually happen!)  

Revision can be boring and with boredom comes hunger. Keep yourself stocked up with snacks to help you along and keep your energy levels up. Biscuits, dried fruit and nuts are perfect snacks as they won't make you feel tired and sluggish or hyper. Drink lots of water as well to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Chewing gum can also make you more alert therefore less tired, it can lower stress and in some cases can help you improve in what you are doing. 

I hope these tips will help you succeed and I wish you the very best of luck if you're sitting exams soon!
What things do you do to help you revise? Let me know in the comments or you can message me on any of the links below!

Esmee x

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Goodbye for a few weeks..

It's not goodbye forever! In just three weeks time my exams will have started therefore I will be hiding from everyone trying to remember as much as I possibly can so I wont have much time for blogging (I know you'll all be incredibly sad...hahaha). There might be time for me to write posts but don't expect much from them and they probably wont be every week. So as for this post, I thought I'd leave you with a few things I've been loving so far this year.

The Crew Show

Victoria Secret Pure Seduction body spray

Creme Eggs

Skater Skirts and Dresses from boohoo.com (although I'm yet to buy anything!)

Look At Me Now by Charlie Puth

Thank you all for reading my blog! I'm amazed at how many people have read it and shocked that I have just as many American readers as I do British! So hello and thank you to every single one of you in Britain, American, Europe, Australia, Brazil, Japan, wherever you are, thank you!

Esmee x

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Naturally Happy // Callie's Corner

Illustration by me

If you've been on the internet recently, or even picked up a girly magazine you'll be well acquainted with the phrase "I like natural girls", from the 14 year old boy with a blog, to the 20 something student stopped in the street by a journalist. "My girlfriend wears too much makeup!" they cry, "I wish she was just natural!" But do they really mean that???? Nah, 'course not.

None of these guys want to see our acne scars, the dark circles under our eyes, the wrinkles we'd like to pretend aren't there, or the lizard-like scales we just must be hiding under all that slap. They don't want natural - they don't know the meaning of the word - they want "natural". In other words: they want the makeup, but they want us to hurry up about it. 

There are literally thousands of youtube videos talking about what guys do and don't like in a girl (Nash Grier anyone??? Sorry shmee I'll never like him...It's his eyes Callie, how can they be so blue?!?!). No, I haven't watched all of them, but it's pretty accurate to say that all of them have one thing in common and that is that they like natural girls.

But they want us to look perfect and, well, that's just not something that'll be happening any time soon. That's why there are so many more video tutorials teaching us how to do "natural makeup". This fabulousness us girls radiate doesn't just happen (although, let's face it, we're pretty damn fab anyway), we need to work at it. Which means if we want to look like those models in the magazine, or the actresses on the big screen, we're going to be spending at least 10 minutes making sure we look *ahem* "natural". And even then, these photographs we see are likely to be edited, with or without the model's permission.

Even the unquestionably beautiful Scarlet Johansson looks a little different from her role as the beautiful but deadly Black Widow without makeup.

But saying that, no one needs to look natural if they want to wear makeup, and no one needs to wear makeup. It's our choice at the end of the day, no matter your gender identity, whether we are going to plonk ourselves in front of a mirror a slather on foundation or spend half an hour achieving perfectly pointed eyeliner. It's not done for anyone else - especially not some small minded human turd who thinks everyone should conform to their expectations.

You are your own person, and all you need to do is what makes you happy and what makes you comfortable. If what makes you comfortable is washing your face and leaving in the morning that's fine. The same goes for if you need a good foundation or the perfect lipstick to live your life. The only thing that matters is if you are comfortable and if you are happy, certainly not what some kid with internet access thinks. Don't think that what you do has to revolve around what others think, because it doesn't. If that person you like is particular about what they want girls to look like, they're probably not worth your time. Let alone worth you changing yourself for them.

Do what you want to be you. Don't conform to someone else's expectations of beauty, because however you want to look is as natural as anyone will get because it's who you are naturally.

As for me, am  I natural? Yeah, naturally happy.

Callie

Nest Cakes

I know it's not Easter yet but all the shops are selling all sorts of eggs so I thought why not do a little recipe post. (Also today is my littlest sister's 10th birthday and she loves these!). Nest cakes are so easy and so simple to make anyone could have a go (and I mean anyone!!).

What you will need:
225g milk chocolate broken into pieces
2 tbsp golden syrup
50g butter
75g chosen cereal (I chose Rice Krispies)
24 mini eggs

Step 1: Line a fairy cake tin with paper cases

Step 2: melt the chocolate butter and syrup in a bowl over a pan of simmering water, don't let any water get inside the bowl or else you'll have to start again.

Top Tip: when measuring out the syrup, cover the spoon in a little bit of olive oil - this will help it slide off the spoon more easily.

Step 3: mix the melted chocolate, butter and syrup with the Rice Krispies

Step 4: divide the mixture into the cases and pop them into the fridge for about an hour or until they have completely set.

Ta-daaaa there you have it! Told you it was easy!

Esmee x


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Recent outings to the AECC

Congratulations to Tom and Giovanna Fletcher!! They've had a baby boy and called him Buzz Michelangelo Fletcher…how cute!!!

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This weeks post is a bit of a lazy one. I've been busy with coursework and my Silver Duke of Edinburgh. When this post goes up I will walking around in the middle of no where for a DofE day walk (I am not happy about this as guaranteed it will be cold and wet and it also ruined my chances of meeting The Wanted and The Vamps). In the past fortnight I have been to the AECC (the arena up where I live) three times and Saturday night will be the forth. 




On Monday 3rd March I went to The X Factor Tour with Kirsty. The concert was amazing, we had pretty good seats for buying them so late, and I managed to take my new camera in! (Although I was questioned twice about it but I have it all sorted for future times). 



Camera details below

Last Wednesday, Paige and I were sat only a few metres away from the King of Comedy himself, Mr Jack Whitehall. Aberdeen was opening night of his "Jack Whitehall Gets Around" arena tour which he did in the rounds (basically it was a circular stage in the middle of the arena), this was my first comedy gig and he was absolutely hilarious! My face hurt so much and there were tears in my eyes at some points. The London show being filmed which I'm so happy about as I can't wait to see it again! If you ever get the chance I highly recommend seeing Jack Whitehall, trust me it's worth it!!



Taken on my iPhone

For Paige's 16th birthday last year she received 3 tickets to see Russell Howard when he came up here on his Wonderbox Tour. Paige invited Callie and myself to go with her. His style of comedy is very different to Jack Whitehall's but he was still hilarious. His little voices and many facial expressions added to the comedy, he was just brilliant. I think this is also being filmed at some point so I will be buying that when it comes out. 



Taken on my iPhone

Here are a handful of photos from The X Factor taken on my new camera! A Nikon Coolpix P520 in case anyone wanted to know! (Not in order of performance).


Sam Callahan
Luke Friend
Tamera Foster
Nicholas McDonald
Abi Alton
Sam Callahan, Luke Friend and Nicholas McDonald
Sam Bailey
Sam Callahan and Luke Freind





Hope you're all well,

Esmee x



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